LWON Armstrong – MARIA CHACON

MARIA
CHACON

NASA
Armstroung Flight Research Center

Deputy Chief Information Officer

Ms. Maria Chacon is the Deputy Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the Dryden Flight Research Center. She provides the policies and guidance to implement the Agency directed initiatives. She started at Dryden 20 years ago and has held various positions, including clerk, Telecommunications Manager, and Information Technology Security Manager.

She has won various awards, including the Pride in NASA Award in 1989, the prestigious Exceptional Achievement Medal from Headquarters in 1997, and the IT Security/Network Project Team Group Achievement Award from Headquarters in 1999.

Maria’s interest in the space shuttle and contact with various Dryden
employees is what brought her to Dryden after graduation from Valley High School in Albuquerque, N.M. While working at Dryden and raising two daughters, Maria also attended night school and earned a Bachelor’s degree in management in 1991.

“It took me twelve years to get my degree – I couldn’t have done it with out the support of my family and supervisor at work,” says Maria. “Even if it takes awhile, hold onto your dream. Keep plugging along – don’t drop out.”

Today, Maria lives in Lancaster, CA and enjoys watersports, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Her profile and archived web chats are also featured on NASA Quest website.

AUGUST 2003


 

Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC) is NASA’s center for aeronautical flight research and atmospheric flight operations.

NASA AFRC is chartered to research, develop, verify, and transfer advanced aeronautics, space and related technologies.

NASA AFRC is located in the desert right next to Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California. There is a very, very big dry lakebed that serves as a landing strip for new experimental aircraft. It also serves as a backup landing site for the Space Shuttle and a facility to test and validate design concepts and systems used in development and operation of the Orbiters.

For more information, visit NASA Armstrong Research Center home page.