Shana Dale

Shana L. Dale (born 1964 in Georgia) is the Deputy Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Dale was confirmed as Deputy Administrator on November 4, 2005, and sworn in on November 29, 2005.

Education and career

Before coming to NASA, Dale was deputy director for Homeland and National Security for the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) in the Executive Office of the President of the United States. She co-chaired the National Science and Technology Council’s Committee on Homeland and National Security and supervised work of the subcommittees. Dale previously served as the chief of staff and general counsel at OSTP. In this position, she led and managed the staff officials involved with homeland and national security, legislative affairs, press operations, legal and ethical issues, the federal research & development budget, and internal budget and administration. [http://www.nasa.gov/about/highlights/dale_bio.html Official biography of Shana L. Dale] at NASA.gov (public domain)]

Earlier in her career, Dale served as the assistant vice chancellor for federal relations at the University of Texas System, Federal Relations Office in Washington, D.C. In addition, Dale had more than ten years of service on Capitol Hill including her tenure as staff director to the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics. Dale also served on the board of directors for Women in Aerospace for four years.

Prior to serving as staff director, Dale was the Republican assistant legislative director and counsel on the space subcommittee. She was appointed to the Committee on Science, Space and Technology in March 1991, as the Republican counsel on the subcommittee on science. Dale also served on the House Public Works & Transportation Committee.

Before moving to Washington, Dale was employed in private law practice in San Diego, California. She received her bachelor’s with honors in management information systems from the University of Tulsa and her law degree from California Western School of Law. She is a member of the bars of California and the District of Columbia, and is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court.

Deputy Administrator of NASA

Her nomination was announced by the White House on September 9, 2005, and sent her nomination to the Senate on September 13. [ [http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/09/20050909-7.html White House press release on nomination of Shana Dale] ] Also on September 13, NASA Administrator Michael Griffin issued a press release saying he was "delighted" with the nomination and she would make a "valuable addition to NASA's team". [ [http://www.nasa.gov/lb/home/hqnews/2005/sep/HQ_05263_Dale_nominated.html Michael Griffin press release] September 13, 2005] He added later that it was he who recommended her for the position. She replaced Frederick D. Gregory as Deputy Administrator. She is the first woman to take that position and the highest-ranking woman at NASA in its history. Her nomination also drew praise from the National Space Society and the American Astronautical Society. [ [http://i-newswire.com/pr46221.html National Space Society press release on nomination of Shana Dale] ("Shana is a decisive leader who will bring key policy and political skills to the front office of NASA... With strong relationships within the commercial, science, academic and policy arenas...")] [ [http://www.astronautical.org/2005/09/13/american-astronautical-society-press-release-on-nomination-of-shana-dale/ American Astronautical Society press release on nomination of Shana Dale] ("Her political and policy experience in space related matters is extensive and will prove invaluable to NASA...")]

She applied to work at NASA straight out of law school and didn't get the job. After being sworn in as deputy administrator, she joked that she could finally put NASA on her resumé. [ [http://federaltimes.com/index2.php?S=1465775 Shana Dale] , interview with Dale by "Federal Times", January 13, 2006]

References

External links

* [http://pview.findlaw.com/view/1956070_1 Findlaw attorney profile of Shana Dale (outdated)]

incumbent succession box | before=Frederick D. Gregory
title =Deputy Administrator of NASA
start =November 4, 2005