Bruce Anderson named chief operating officer of the National Space Science and Technology Center (NSSTC) in Huntsville, Alabama. Anderson will be responsible for the “day-to-day management and operation of the science center, including strategic business planning, safety oversight and supervision of facility resources”. In addition, he will be the primary liaison between the NSSTC and NASA.

Anderson comes to the NSSTC from NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, where he served as director of the Office of Center Operations. His background also includes an appointment to the federal Senior Executive Service in 1998, serving as chief counsel at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center from 1998 to 2003. He has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and law degree from the Univeristy of Alabama.

The NSSTC was created by and is operated by NASA and the Alabama Space Science and Technology Alliance. It “conducts cutting-edge scientific study in various disciplines, including Earth science, space science, optics, biotechnology, materials science, information technology and propulsion.”

According to the announcement, “We’re very proud to bring Bruce Anderson’s experience and insight to the NSSTC,” said Whitaker, who also is director of the Science and Technology Directorate at Marshall. “His legal expertise and knowledge of science and engineering will help us sustain the stellar work of this research organization — bringing unprecedented scientific value to Alabama and the nation.”