James A. Kenyon Director, Advanced Air Vehicles Program, Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate NASA

Dr. Kenyon is responsible for the overall planning, management, and oversight of the directorate’s efforts to develop innovative concepts, technologies, and capabilities to enable revolutionary advances for a wide range of air vehicles.  He supports the mission directorate and the ARMD associate administrator in a broad range of activities, including strategic and program planning, budget development, program review and evaluation, and external coordination and outreach.

Prior to joining NASA, Kenyon worked with Pratt & Whitney, where he held key leadership roles in business development, program management, and engineering, including serving as executive director of advanced programs and technology.  Dr. Kenyon joined Pratt & Whitney after 17 years as a civilian in the Department of Defense (DoD), including six years in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, where he was responsible for strategic planning, policy guidance, and management oversight of DoD aerospace science and technology programs.  

Dr. Kenyon received a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from Georgia Tech, a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University, and a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University. He is a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and of the Royal Aeronautical Society.