Posted: Tue, Oct 4, 2005, 8:16 AM ET (1216 GMT)
The head of NASA's Johnson Space Center announced Monday that he plans to step down to take a university position. Jefferson Davis Howell, Jr., who had led JSC for three and a half years, said he will leave the agency to take a job at the University of Texas. Howell will remain on the job until a successor is named, which is expected by next month. Howell told the Houston Chronicle that he decided to leave JSC after discussions with NASA administrator Michael Griffin revealed that Griffin was looking for a director with more technical skills. The announcement is the latest in a series of departures and reassignments made throughout NASA since Griffin took over nearly six months ago.

Related Links:

•  Houston Chronicle article
•  AP article
•  NASA press release