David Dunphy

David Dunphy serves as Director of NASA’s Mission Support and Headquarters Operations Office (MSHOO), providing a focal point for the identification and resolution of key issues that impact the NASA Headquarters community. As part of the Mission Support Directorate’s leadership team, he also supports efforts to prioritize and transform the provision of mission support services; manage operational risk; and ensure agility, strategy, and readiness in supporting NASA’s complex and evolving missions.

In his previous role as Deputy Director of MSHOO, Dunphy served as a supervisor and senior program analyst focusing on Headquarters services, space planning, employee engagement, and enterprise programs supporting more than 2,200 personnel. In this role, he was instrumental in driving Headquarters revitalization, return-to-office initiatives, and long-range facility planning efforts that enable the workforce and mission success.

Dunphy brings over 33 years of leadership experience across federal and military service, including large-scale enterprise management. His career reflects a consistent record of delivering operational excellence, building high-performing teams, and leading organizational transformation.

Prior to joining NASA, Dunphy was commissioned in the U.S. Army and served in various Armor and Cavalry assignments for over 20 years before transitioning into Army Space Operations. Serving as a Lieutenant Colonel, he led complex, multi-organizational operations and large, cross-functional teams in high-demand environments. Following his retirement in 2017, Dunphy worked as an operations manager for Amazon before returning to federal service at the U.S. Census Bureau, supporting the 2020 Decennial Census. He then served as the Branch Chief for Hearings Management at the VA’s Board of Veterans’ Appeals before joining NASA in 2021.

Dunphy holds a degree in Civil Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point, and a master’s in human resource management from Central Michigan University. 

When he’s not on the clock, Dunphy enjoys scuba diving, water sports, an occasional bourbon, and frequent yard work.  He has three adult children and lives in Sunderland, Maryland.