Currently, Charles Stark Draper Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Associate Provost, and Director of the Lean Sustainment Initiative, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Served as Head of the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, MIT, 2003-2008. Prior to that position, served as Associate Administrator for Aeronautics responsible for all programs, facilities, and personnel in Aeronautics at NASA (1993-1995). Performed, from 1990 to 1993, as Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of the University of Tennessee Space Institute (UTSI), Tullahoma, Tennessee.  From 1985 to 1990 served as Dean of the School of Engineering and Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut.  And from 1972 to 1985, held several faculty and administrative positions at MIT, including Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics.  Academic research associated with unsteady aerodynamics, aeroacoustics, rarefied gas dynamics, sustainment of capital assets, and chaos in sickle cell disease having made seminal contributions in each of these research fields.  In academe, worked with industry and governments to design and build joint industry - government - university research and development programs, centers, and institutes; transferred technology effectively.  Credited with more than 130 technical papers and presentations. Held distinguished, endowed professorships and lectureships.   

 Developed an outstanding record in advancing cultural diversity in academe and in government.

Served as chair and member of various boards and committees of the National Research Council (NRC), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the U.S. Army Science Board, and several state governments.  Served on committees of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), the American Helicopter Society (AHS), and the National Technical Association (NTA).  Served as a member of the Board of Trustees, Princeton University, 2001-2005. Served as advisor to several colleges, universities, and institutes.

Earned a Bachelor of Science degree (with Honors) in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Virginia in 1964; a Masters of Arts and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Aerospace and Mechanical Sciences from Princeton University in 1966 and 1968 respectively.  Elected Fellow of the AIAA, AHS, and of the NTA for personal engineering achievements, engineering education, management, and advancing cultural diversity.  Recognized by election to membership in the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), Cosmos Club, Confrerie des Chavaliers du Tastevin, and awarded several honorary doctorate degrees.