NASA Glenn: Leading Innovation from Cleveland

At last Friday’s Rotary meeting, former club member JoAnn Kenyon introduced her husband, Dr. James Kenyon, Center Director of NASA Glenn Research Center. In a warm and personal introduction, JoAnn reflected on their nearly 30-year journey together—from college and military service to NASA leadership—emphasizing their purposeful move to Cleveland: to elevate Northeast Ohio’s innovation profile and position NASA Glenn as a destination for the next generation of explorers.

Dr. Kenyon offered an in-depth look at NASA Glenn’s mission and impact. As one of ten NASA centers—and the only one in the Midwest—Glenn plays a critical role in human space exploration, scientific discovery, and technology development. Its work ranges from supporting the Artemis program and developing electric aircraft propulsion systems to creating advanced materials like TRX810. Glenn’s extensive testing capabilities—including world-class vacuum chambers and the nation’s leading icing research tunnel—make it a hub for both fundamental research and mission-critical hardware validation.

Beyond science and engineering, Dr. Kenyon highlighted NASA Glenn’s strong economic and regional footprint. In FY2023, the center managed nearly $1 billion in budget and generated an economic impact of $1.84 billion across Northeast Ohio, supporting over 8,000 jobs. As NASA’s lead for technology transfer, Glenn maintains more than 170 active patents—many licensed affordably or freely to startups and small businesses to foster innovation and growth.

The center is also modernizing its campus and engaging in creative partnerships, including leasing underused facilities for research and innovation. With deep connections to local industry and universities, Dr. Kenyon emphasized NASA Glenn’s enduring role not only in space exploration but also in driving regional economic development and technological advancement.