Larry Leopard

Larry Leopard, Associate Director, Technical, at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, provides expert advice in all facets of the Center’s responsibilities by conducting special studies; provide authoritative advice and assistance in policy review; manage and report on Center-wide and directorate metrics, and developing benchmarking strategies. He was appointed to the position in December 2020.

Prior to his appointment, Leopard served as director of the Engineering Directorate from 2018 to 2020. From 2014 to 2016, Leopard was director of the Engineering Directorate’s Space Systems Department, and was its deputy director from 2011 to 2014. From 2008 to 2011, he was deputy manager of Engineering’s Propulsion Systems Department.

In 2008, Leopard was appointed to the Senior Executive Service, the personnel system covering top managerial positions in federal agencies.

Following his selection to NASA’s Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program in 2006, he completed developmental assignments at NASA Headquarters in Washington, in Marshall’s Space Shuttle Propulsion Office, and at United Launch Alliance’s Delta II and IV Manufacturing and Assembly Plant in Decatur, Alabama.

Leopard joined NASA and Marshall in 1990, supporting a variety of NASA programs and projects, including space shuttle propulsion elements; the Space Shuttle Main Engine Technology Test Bed; Rocket-Based Combined Cycle propulsion technology; Fastrac 60K engine; International Space Station payloads, International Space Station Environmental Control and Life Support Systems and research facilities; Small Satellite technology demonstrations; and multiple science instruments.

His aerospace engineering career began as a propulsion engineer at Martin Marietta in Huntsville, supporting Marshall’s Propulsion Systems Laboratory from 1988 to 1990.

A native of Athens, Alabama, Leopard graduated from the University of Alabama in Huntsville in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.

Leopard has received numerous NASA awards, including the Medal for Outstanding Leadership in 2007 and 2011; the Medal for Exceptional Achievement in 1997 for leading the Integrated Propulsion Technology Demonstrator team; multiple Center Director’s Commendations; and numerous group achievement and special service awards. In 1993, he was awarded the Silver Snoopy, the NASA astronaut corps’ award to those who have made significant contributions to the success of NASA’s human spaceflight missions.

Leopard and his wife Shane live in Athens and have two children.