Who We Are Gregory L. Robinson

Gregory L. Robinson
Former Program Director, James Webb Space Telescope, NASA, Science Mission Directorate
Getting the James Webb Space Telescope Over the Goal Line
We will go on the journey of completing the integration, launch, and commissioning of the James Webb Space Telescope. Webb experienced serious challenges in 2018 after many years of good progress and productivity. We will explore some of the challenges and how they were overcome.
Bio
Mr. Robinson is the former Program Director of the James Webb Space Telescope which launched Dec. 25, 2021. He served as the NASA Science Mission Directorate, Deputy Associate Administrator for Programs, for development and operations of 114 flight projects.
Mr. Robinson held the position of Deputy Director of NASA’s John Glenn Research Center, consisting of 3,200 employees, where the scope spans research and technology, aeronautics, science spaceflight, and human spaceflight. He served as NASA’s Deputy Chief Engineer, and was engaged with the last 21 shuttle launches and numerous satellite developments and launches.
Mr. Robinson also served as Deputy Assistant Administrator for Systems at NOAA’s National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, leading the acquisition and management of all satellite systems. He spent 11 years in various leadership positions at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.
Mr. Robinson serves as faculty at the Columbia University, School of Professional Studies, Information & Knowledge Strategy program; and he served as faculty at the George Washington University, Department of Engineering Management & Systems Engineering.
Mr. Robinson was named TIME Magazine's 100 Most Influential People of 2022.
Mr. Robinson was selected as a Management Excellence Medal finalist for the 2022 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals (Sammies).
He received the Presidential Distinguished Executive Rank Award in 2013, and the Presidential Meritorious Executive Rank Award in 2007.
Education:
Mr. Robinson held the position of Deputy Director of NASA’s John Glenn Research Center, consisting of 3,200 employees, where the scope spans research and technology, aeronautics, science spaceflight, and human spaceflight. He served as NASA’s Deputy Chief Engineer, and was engaged with the last 21 shuttle launches and numerous satellite developments and launches.
Mr. Robinson also served as Deputy Assistant Administrator for Systems at NOAA’s National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, leading the acquisition and management of all satellite systems. He spent 11 years in various leadership positions at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.
Mr. Robinson serves as faculty at the Columbia University, School of Professional Studies, Information & Knowledge Strategy program; and he served as faculty at the George Washington University, Department of Engineering Management & Systems Engineering.
Mr. Robinson was named TIME Magazine's 100 Most Influential People of 2022.
Mr. Robinson was selected as a Management Excellence Medal finalist for the 2022 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals (Sammies).
He received the Presidential Distinguished Executive Rank Award in 2013, and the Presidential Meritorious Executive Rank Award in 2007.
Education:
- Masters Degree in Business Administration, Averett University
- Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering, Howard University
- Bachelors Degree in Mathematics, Virginia Union University
- Harvard Senior Executive Fellows Program, Harvard University