Glenn Mahone/Robert Mirelson

Headquarters, Washington Oct. 16, 2002

(Phone: 202/358-1400/1600)

RELEASE: 02-199

NASA ADMINISTRATOR NAMES DEPUTY CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Gwendolyn Brown has been selected as NASA's Deputy Chief Financial

Officer, effective Nov. 1. As the Deputy Chief Financial Officer at NASA
Headquarters in Washington, she will manage day-to-day financial
operations, direct the preparation and submission of annual financial and
related reports, and coordinate Agency financial management activities
with other related federal agencies.

"Gwen will bring a fresh perspective to NASA, with a view developed by a

strong financial management background at the Pentagon. She has been a
leader developing and implementing electronic systems to increase
accounting accuracy, simplify the reporting process, and streamline the
decision-making process," said NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe.
"Accurate, relevant and timely accounting data are essential for our
diverse programs, and we are just at the start of bringing a
comprehensive financial management process on line. Gwen's experience and
expertise will help ensure that we do this correctly."

Brown replaces Stephen J. Varholy, who retired in September. Kenneth J.

Winter, who has been serving as Acting Deputy at Headquarters during this
interim period since Varholy's retirement, will return to his duties at
NASA's Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va., as the center's Chief
Financial Officer.

Prior to coming to NASA, Brown was a senior Program Analyst with the
Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller), Directorate for
Program and Financial Control at the Pentagon. She was instrumental in
instituting streamlined reporting requirements and developing electronic
management reports which significantly reduced the amount of required
hard copy accounting data.

Brown began her Defense Department career as a Management Analyst in

1992, where she helped plan, develop and institute modern business and
accounting practices. She joined the Pentagon's financial team after
serving on the United States Senate staff. Brown started her public
service career as a manager and auditor for the Defense Contract Audit
Agency, Silver Springs, Md., in 1987.

She has a bachelor's degree in Accounting from The Catholic University of

America and a master's degree in Public Administration from The American
University, both in Washington, and has been honored for her outstanding
performance throughout her career.

Additional information about the Office of the Chief Financial Officer is

available on the Internet at:

http://ifmp.nasa.gov/codeb/

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