Joel R. Montalbano

Joel Montalbano is a deputy associate administrator for NASA’s Human Spaceflight Mission Directorate. In this role, he provides the strategic support, resources and executive coordination required for program managers to deliver the agency’s human spaceflight initiatives, including the Low Earth Orbit and Moon Base Programs. 

Previously, Montalbano served as the associate administrator and deputy associate administrator for NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate, where he leveraged his vast experience to meet the nation’s goals of developing a robust low Earth orbit economy and maintaining America’s leadership in space. 

He also previously served as the International Space Station program manager, responsible for the overall management, development, integration, and operation of the orbiting laboratory. The nearly $3 billion-per-year, 15-nation program includes the design, manufacture, testing, and delivery of complex spaceflight hardware and software and its integration with international partner modules into a continuously crewed, fully operation station. As program manager, Montalbano led policy development, international partner negotiations, low Earth orbit commercialization efforts, research and utilization, and ensured the safety and health of the crew and spacecraft. 

Prior to his role as space station program manager, Montalbano served as the deputy program manager, providing day-to-day leadership across space station organizations, NASA centers, other government agencies, and partners. In this role, he ensured seamless and efficient space station integration and supported its recognition as a national laboratory, advancing projects that met national, agency, and program goals for science, technology, diplomacy, and education.  

Montalbano served as the director of NASA’s Human Space Flight Program in Russia from 2008 to 2012 and as a NASA flight director from 2000 to 2008. As is tradition in the Mission Control Center, Montalbano named the flight control team “Flash” to signify the need for controllers to react quickly and decisively. 

He started his career at Rockwell in June 1988 and became a NASA civil servant in August 1998. He was inducted into the Senior Executive Service in 2008.  

Montalbano’s honors include the NASA Distinguished Service Medal and the American Astronomical Society’s Advancement of International Cooperation Award (2018); the Johnson Space Center Director’s Commendation (2017); the Presidential Rank of Meritorious Executive (2012); multiple NASA Exceptional Service, Outstanding Leadership and Superior Accomplishment awards; Rotary Space Award recognition; the Director Plaque Hanging Honor at Mission Control (1997, 1995); the astronauts’ Silver Snoopy; and Manned Space Flight Awareness recognition (1994). He also is an Eagle Scout. 

He holds a bachelor’s degree in aerospace, aeronautical, and astronautical engineering from Iowa State University.