Hansel D. V. Gill

Since being named to the position in April 2024, Director Hansel Gill has overseen one of the world’s largest manufacturing facilities, which provides the crucial infrastructure where elements of NASA’s Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft are assembled. Michoud also provides facilities for non-NASA governmental and commercial technology-based industry tenant operations.

Prior to this assignment, Gill served as Michoud deputy director. He also served as subsystem manager for production of the SLS Block 1B Exploration Upper Stage, from 2016 to 2021, in the Block 1B Development Office and the Stages Element Office, providing technical leadership for SLS core stage and exploration upper stage planning and production operations. From 2015-2016, Gill served as technical assistant to the Office of the Director, Marshall Space Flight Center.

In 2013, Gill served as team lead and acting assistant branch chief for the Metals Joining and Processes Branch of the Metals Engineering Division. He was responsible for materials process development and characterization, product management, and corrosion engineering, supporting the advanced exploration and manufacturing needs aligned with agency strategic vectors. While in this position, Gill led the production for the EFT-1 multi-purpose crew vehicle stage adaptor (MSA) providing the structural interface for Orion and the Delta IV launch system supporting the EFT-1 Orion Flight Test.

Throughout his career, Gill has received various awards including the NASA Honor Award Exceptional Achievement Medal, Director’s Commendation Honor Award, Safety Flight Awareness Awards, 24^th STEM Global Competitiveness Conference Black Engineer of the Year Award – Modern Day Technology Leader distinction.

Director Gill earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Oakwood University in 1996 and his master’s degree in industrial and systems engineering from the University of Alabama – Huntsville in 2007. He resides in Huntsville, AL with his wife, Arnissa and daughter, Addison.