NASA Names New Chief of Staff

NASA Administrator Sen. Bill Nelson announced Wednesday that Susie Perez Quinn will serve as the agency’s chief of staff. Quinn joins NASA with extensive experience in government and government relations.

As chief of staff, Quinn will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of NASA Headquarters. She will work with Nelson and senior NASA staff to shape the strategic direction of the agency, while overseeing and articulating various policies and programs.

“Susie brings a wealth of experience and unique perspective to the job,” Nelson said. “Susie has served as a dedicated and valuable public servant for almost two decades and her experience in federal, state, and local government will be an asset to NASA. I’m thrilled to welcome Susie to the NASA family.”

Previously, Quinn served as Nelson’s chief of staff and in several other leadership positions in the Senate and, most recently, as the director of government relations at the National Governors Association. As chief of staff, Quinn oversaw Nelson’s communications, political, and policy affairs, including his Commerce Committee portfolio. Quinn helped to shepherd into law several bills critical to U.S. competitiveness and environmental protection, including: The U.S. Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act, the first overhaul of commercial space launch law in more than a decade; the RESTORE Act, legislation that directed 80 percent of Clean Water Act fines related to the BP oil spill to the communities most impacted by the disaster; and the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act, legislation to improve U.S. competitiveness by promoting and protecting investments in scientific research, innovation, and STEM education.

Bhavya Lal, who has been serving as acting chief of staff, will serve as the senior advisor for budget and finance at NASA.