June 2025 MSBR Luncheon

Dr. Christopher Scolese was sworn in as Director of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) in 2019. In this role, he provides direction, guidance, and supervision on all matters related to the NRO and executes authorities delegated by the Secretary of Defense and the Director of National Intelligence.  

Dr. Scolese began his government career as a United States Naval Officer in 1978, supporting various Naval Nuclear Propulsion Programs for both the U.S. Navy and the Department of Energy. He later transitioned to NASA, where he held multiple senior management roles, including Earth Observing System (EOS) Systems Manager, EOS Terra Project Manager, EOS Program Manager, and Deputy Director of Flight Programs and Projects for Earth Science  

In 2001, he moved to NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., serving as Deputy Associate Administrator in the Office of Space Science. He later became Deputy Director of the Goddard Space Flight Center, where he helped oversee all operations. Returning to Washington, D.C., he was appointed NASA’s Chief Engineer before being named Associate Administrator in 2007, responsible for integrating and overseeing the agency’s technical and programmatic efforts. 

In 2009, he served as NASA’s Acting Administrator, and in 2012, he was appointed Director of the Goddard Space Flight Center. He held that position until 2019, when he became the Director of the NRO.  

Dr. Scolese holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo, as well as a Master’s and a Ph.D. in Systems Engineering from George Washington University.