Melvin Ferebee

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

SKILLS

ABOUT MELVIN FEREBEE

Melvin Ferebee is the Executive Director/CEO of the Virginia Air and Space Science Center, where he leads efforts to educate and inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers. A seasoned aerospace leader, he previously served as Director of the Systems Analysis and Concepts Directorate at NASA’s Langley Research Center before retiring in 2019.Over a distinguished career at NASA, Mr. Ferebee held multiple senior leadership roles, including Deputy Director, Branch Head, and Program Manager overseeing a portfolio of more than 25 projects. His expertise spans systems analysis, architecture development, and modeling and simulation. He also contributed to three of NASA’s major programs—Space Shuttle, Space Station, and ARES I-X—and supported the development of the United States Space Policy of 2004 while serving in NASA’s Office of the Administrator.Mr. Ferebee is a graduate of NASA’s Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program and has also served as Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs and Manager of the Space Technology Projects Office. He spent a year on Capitol Hill on the personal staff of Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott.He began his NASA journey as a high school student during the early days of the Space Shuttle Program and has since authored more than 40 technical papers. He holds a Bachelor’s in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Tech and a Master of Science in Mathematics from The College of William and Mary. Specialties: Business Development, Relationship Building, Systems Analysis, Feasibility Studies, Program management, Coaching and Mentoring, Open innovation, Crowdsourcing, Participatory Exploration, Public Outreach, STEM education, STEM Teacher development, Technology assessments