College of Engineering >> Administration >> Communications and Marketing >> Alumni Spotlight >>

Robert Champion

Robert Champion"

Robert Champion began his NASA career in 1986 as a propulsion engineer in the preliminary design office at the Marshall Space Center after earning a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering from Auburn University. Today, the Woodstock, Ala., native, Auburn alum and 22-year NASA veteran is the division chief of stage systems engineering and integration in the engineering directorate at the Marshall Center, where his team is helping NASA develop the Ares I rocket upper stage.

He was recently chosen by NASA to participate in the senior executive service candidate development program at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. The program provides training and prepares candidates for possible entry into the senior executive service, the federal personnel system covering most top managerial and policy positions in the executive branch.

"Participation in this program will give me an opportunity to strengthen the capabilities of my team, define my leadership style and advance my understanding of the agency from a national perspective," said Champion. "This will further develop my abilities to better serve the Marshall workforce."

Champion was nominated to participate in the executive development program as the result of his work to establish a disciplined systems engineering process that aligned organizational and employee goals in his division. He was one of 23 candidates selected agency-wide from 200 applicants.

"Robert has the characteristics and skills that will make him a successful candidate," said Dan Dumbacher, director of Marshall's Engineering Directorate. "His participation in this program will positively impact the work he leads for the Ares I rocket."

Since 2007, Champion has managed the team of 165 civil servants and contractors responsible for the technical integration of the subsystems that comprise the upper stage. As part of NASA's constellation program, the Ares I rocket will transport the Orion spacecraft and its crew to space.

From 2004 to 2007, Champion served as deputy manager, chief engineer and technical manager in the propulsion system engineering and integration office in Marshall's Space shuttle propulsion office. From 2003 to 2004, he was the NASA project manager for the Boeing orbital space plane project, and from 2001 to 2003 he managed the auxiliary propulsion project for the next generation launch vehicle program.

Robert Champion and Tom Adams looking at J-2X engine hardware.

In 2000, he served as manager of Marshall's internal relations and communications department, responsible for center-wide events and managing such employee communication tools like the center's weekly newspaper. As the leader of the vehicle propulsion system team from 1999 to 2000, he coordinated group support for projects such as the Chandra X-ray observatory, the world's most powerful X-ray telescope; and the X-34 main propulsion system, an air-launched, reusable liquid rocket system demonstrator. From 1994-1999, he served as team lead for the design of the X-34 main propulsion systems.

Throughout his NASA career, Champion has received numerous awards, including the NASA Medal for Exceptional Achievement in 2007 for technical leadership in space shuttle propulsion systems; a Space Flight Honoree Award in 2006 for dedication to quality work and flight safety; a director's commendation in 1998 for exceptional leadership of the X-34 Main Propulsion System product development team; the NASA Contracting Officers Technical Representative of the Year Award in 2003; several NASA Special Service Awards and numerous NASA Group Achievement Awards.

Champion and his wife, Maria, have four children and reside in Huntsville.

For information about NASA and agency programs on the Web, visit: http://www.nasa.gov