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By Lane Figueroa
William “Chip” Dobbs III is a supply management specialist at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, where he has worked for 29 years.
Dobbs is also deaf. But instead of this disability holding him back, it has become a gateway to inspire and connect with others. His admiration for people and human connection are obvious to those who cross paths with him.
“Chip’s biggest contribution to Marshall is his ability to work with everyone to support logistics,” said Raymond Bradley, Dobbs’ supervisor. “Even with his hearing disability, he strives to understand what the customer needs and works tremendously hard to provide the support requested.”
As a supply management specialist, Dobbs monitors personnel moves and furniture support for the contractor workforce and supports all logistics functions at Marshall – a critical job at the center as more employees return to on-site work.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dobbs tackled major projects that were different than his normal duties, including the Warehouse Reduction Project and issuing personal protective equipment.
Dobbs deeply values his role in the bigger NASA picture. “Without logistics, the mission simply cannot be accomplished,” Dobbs said. “But the people are my favorite part about my job.”
Dobbs’ impressive career is just a glance into his life’s story and hearty character. In addition to his accomplishments at Marshall, Dobbs dedicates his time to giving back to an organization that shaped his life – the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB). Dobbs was the valedictorian of the Alabama School for the Deaf class of 1981, and has been on the AIDB Board of Trustees at-large for more than 20 years.
AIDB manages multiple locations and schools throughout Alabama, impacting the lives of thousands of individuals with hearing and vision loss and their families.
Dobbs frequently travels to the school’s headquarters in Talladega to visit students and attend outreach events. He’s also helped facilitate tours of Marshall and the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville. Dobbs has become a familiar face to the children of AIDB and serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration.
“Every time I go down to Talladega, the children come running to me,” Dobbs said. “I often wear a NASA shirt, which catches their attention and entices them to ask questions about how they could work for NASA one day.”
Most recently, Dobbs attended the AIDB Career Day on March 17 in Talladega, along with Marshall Deputy Director of Human Resources Larry Mack and Marshall Deputy Director of the Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity Carolyn Magsby. The event served to expose high school students to various career fields, including opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math.
“During our time at the AIDB Career Day, Chip’s smile and manner in which he shared his love for AIDB and his NASA job helped students relax and eased their jitters,” Mack said. “Chip told the students that they can be anything they wanted by working hard and being lifelong learners.”
Dobbs said he always emphasizes the importance of education when he meets with students. He credits the school with equipping him with the skills to navigate the world with a disability. Following high school, Dobbs earned a degree in human resource management from Athens State University.
Dobbs’ involvement with AIDB contributes to NASA’s vision to reach more of the Artemis Generation – the future engineers, scientists, and explorers who will shape the future of space exploration. NASA’s Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity places a special emphasis on recruiting and providing the appropriate resources for those with disabilities.
“We should continue to reach and inspire those with disabilities,” Dobbs said. “They, too, have the power to change the world.”
Dobbs’ passion for human connection expands across every facet of his life. He advocates for and represents that it takes a diverse workforce to achieve the great feats of space exploration.
“Chip’s overwhelming desire to help anyone he connects with is a true testament to his commitment to ensure each AIDB student understands that anything is possible, if you never give up, believe, and have confidence in yourself,” Mack said.
Figueroa, a Media Fusion employee, supports Marshall’s Office of Strategic Analysis & Communications.