Dr. Christopher Scolese

Dr. Christopher Scolese has served as a member of our Board since October 22, 2026. Dr. Scolese currently leads the Vanderbilt Institute for Innovations Beyond Earth and holds a distinguished faculty appointment in Vanderbilt’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Prior to joining Vanderbilt, Dr. Scolese served as Director of the National Reconnaissance Office (“NRO”) from 2019 to 2026, where he led the U.S. government agency responsible for designing, building, launching and operating the nation’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance satellites in support of the Department of Defense and the intelligence community.

Prior to leading the NRO, Dr. Scolese held numerous senior leadership positions at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (“NASA”). From 2012 to 2019, he served as Director of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, where he led an organization of scientists, engineers and technologists responsible for developing spacecraft, scientific instruments and technologies. Dr. Scolese previously served as NASA’s Associate Administrator and, from January to July 2009, as Acting Administrator, where he was responsible for leading the development, design and implementation of the nation’s civil space program. He also served as NASA’s Chief Engineer, Deputy Director of the Goddard Space Flight Center and in a variety of leadership positions overseeing NASA’s space and Earth science programs.

Dr. Scolese began his government career as a United States Naval Officer supporting naval nuclear propulsion programs for the U.S. Navy and Department of Energy. He received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Master of Science and Ph.D. in engineering from George Washington University.