Brian Dewhurst

Brian Dewhurst is the executive director, enterprise operations, for NASA’s Human Spaceflight Mission Directorate (HSMD). In this role, Dewhurst is responsible for overseeing the implementation of agency processes within HSMD and its constituent programs, ensuring all processes are executed with rigor, consistency, and operational excellence, directly supporting the success of NASA’s human spaceflight programs. 

Previously, Dewhurst served as the acting deputy associate administrator for management within NASA’s Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD). He was a key advisor to the associate administrator for ESDMD, responsible and accountable for the resources, management systems, and processes that enable NASA’s exploration spaceflight portfolio, including the safety, success, and performance of its programs and projects. 

In 2022, Dewhurst was named director of the ESDMD Business Office for the newly formed directorate. As director, he oversaw business operations for ESDMD, which included budget formulation and execution, performance and audit management, human resources, information technology and cybersecurity, and associated administrative functions. 

In 2019, Dewhurst was named director of the Resource Management Office for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD). In this role, he managed the formulation and execution of NASA’s exploration and space operations budgets.  

From 2011 to 2019 and prior to joining HEOMD, Dewhurst served in the Programs Branch of the Budget Division within the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO). He was branch chief from 2014 to 2019, leading agency-level budget processes with internal and external stakeholders. Internally, he and his team were the focal point for OCFO discussions with the mission directorate resource management offices. In this capacity, Dewhurst guided the offices in implementing agency budget processes, ensured that budget-related documents complied with administration policy, and performed independent oversight on mission budget execution. Externally, he was a primary interface for the agency with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) staff and Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations staff in both the House and Senate. 

Dewhurst joined NASA in 2009 as an analyst and, shortly thereafter, was selected for a one-year rotation in the OMB in 2010. During this assignment, he supported the rollout of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 President’s Budget, which proposed substantial changes to NASA’s human spaceflight programs, and development of the FY 2012 President’s Budget. This experience gave him insight into the OMB, including OMB interactions with Congress, NASA, other agencies, and outside interests. 

Prior to joining NASA, Dewhurst was a staff member of the National Research Council, supporting the Space Studies Board; Board on Physics and Astronomy; and Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board. 

Brian earned a Bachelor of Arts in astronomy and history from the University of Virginia. He holds a Master of arts in science, technology, and public policy with a concentration in space policy from the George Washington University.