Senior Procurement Executive, Deputy Chief Acquisition Officer and Assistant Administrator for Procurement Karla Smith Jackson speaks during a Strengthening Acquisition and Program Management at the Agency fireside chat, Thursday, May 18, 2023, at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber)

Strengthening Acquisition and Program Management at the Agency F

Senior Procurement Executive, Deputy Chief Acquisition Officer and Assistant Administrator for Procurement Karla Smith Jackson delivers remarks during a NASA Office of Procurement Enterprise Reverse Industry Day event Thursday, April 24, 2025, at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber)

NASA Office of Procurement Reverse Industry Day

Strengthening Acquisition and Program Management at the Agency F

KSC Procurement Town Hall

A NASA Kennedy Space Center employee asks a question during a procurement discussion on Nov. 29, 2022, at the space center in Florida. NASA senior leaders participating in the discussion with employees are NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy; NASA Association Administrator Bob Cabana; Karla Smith Jackson, assistant administrator for Procurement; Scott Barber, associate general counsel for Acquisition Law; Craig McArthur, OCFO/director for Strategic Investments Division; and David Mitchell, chief program management officer.

KSC Procurement Town Hall

NASA senior leaders participate in a procurement discussion with employees on Nov. 29, 2022, at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The conversation focused on strengthening acquisition and program management within the agency. From left are David Mitchell, chief program management officer; Craig McArthur, OCFO/director for Strategic Investments Division; Scott Barber, associate general counsel for Acquisition Law; Karla Smith Jackson, assistant administrator for Procurement; NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana; and NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy.

KSC Procurement Town Hall

NASA senior leaders participate in a procurement discussion with employees on Nov. 29, 2022, at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The conversation focused on strengthening acquisition and program management within the agency. From left are David Mitchell, chief program management officer; Craig McArthur, (in view behind Mitchell) OCFO/director for Strategic Investments Division; Scott Barber, associate general counsel for Acquisition Law; Karla Smith Jackson, assistant administrator for Procurement; and NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana. Also participating, but not pictured, is NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy.

NASA Assistant Administrator for Procurement Visits NASA Stennis

The NASA assistant administrator for procurement stands with leaders of NASA’s Stennis Space Center and the NASA Shared Services Center during a visit to the south Mississippi site Dec. 11 to deliver an agency update, highlighting key initiatives and priorities across NASA’s procurement activities. The visit focused on fostering open communications and collaboration, and included an opportunity for Jackson to engage with procurement staff, provide updates, and respond to questions. The assistant administrator met with NASA leadership to align on strategic goals, discuss procurement-related challenges and opportunities, and reinforce support for the NASA Stennis mission. The visit highlighted NASA’s continued commitment to innovation, efficiency, and mission success through effective procurement strategies. Pictured (left to right) are James Bailey, NASA Shared Services Center/NASA Stennis deputy procurement officer; NASA Stennis Deputy Director Christine Powell; NASA Stennis Director John Bailey; Karla Smith, NASA assistant administrator for procurement; Eli Ouder, NASA Shared Services Center/NASA Stennis procurement officer; and Jamiel Charlton, NASA executive officer.