Jay F. Honeycutt

Jay F. Honeycutt became the director of NASA’s John F. Kennedy Space Center effective January 22, 1995. From 1989 to 1995, he was the director of Shuttle Management and Operations at the Kennedy Space Center. He was appointed director of the Space Center by NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin. Honeycutt was responsible for engineering management and technical direction of pre-flight, launch, landing and recovery activities for Space shuttle vehicles.
Honeycutt began his Government career at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, as an engineer in 1960. He began his NASA career at the Johnson Space Center (JSC), Houston, Texas, in 1966 as an engineer in Flight Operations for the Apollo Program. Honeycutt subsequently served in several key positions in Flight Operations until 1988.
In 1981 Honeycutt served as technical assistant to the associate administrator for the Space Transportation System, NASA Headquarters. From 1982 to 1986, he served in management positions in the Space Shuttle Program Office at JSC.
From 1986-1987, he was special assistant to the associate administrator for Space Flight, and coordinated Presidential Commission and Congressional activities relative to the Challenger accident. Honeycutt served as deputy manager, NSTS Program Office, NASA Headquarters, from 1987 to 1989.
Honeycutt was born May 7, 1937, in Jena in La Salle Parish in North Louisiana. He graduated in 1955 from Pineville High School in Pineville in Rapides Parish in Central Louisiana. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, then known as the University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette.
Among the significant awards Honeycutt has earned are: Exceptional Service Medal, April 1974; Special Achievement Award, February 1978 and July 1982; NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, February 1988 and April 1995; NASA Exceptional Service Medal, December 1988; NASA Equal Employment Opportunity Award, March 1993; Meritorious Executive Presidential Rank Award, 1993.
Honeycutt and his wife Peggy live in Cocoa Beach, Florida; they have four children: Barry Honeycutt, Jeff Honeycutt, Delise DelFavero, and Daniel DelFavero.