Mr. Gaines has 33 years of service with NASA in leadership roles with increasing levels of responsibility. He has worked at multiple NASA Centers across the U.S. including Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC), Johnson Space Center (JSC), Stennis Space Center (SSC) and NASA Headquarters in Washing D.C. Over his career he has collaborated with several commercial space companies, as well as International Partners in Russia, Japan, Canada, and Europe. Mr. Gaines began his career with NASA as a software engineer in the Avionics and Software Directorate. He has served as the Deputy
Manager of the International Space Station (ISS), Program Planning Office where he was responsible for managing a budget worth $3.8 billion dollars a year.
He is currently the Associate Program Manager for the Commercial LEO Development Program. He works closely with multiple commercial space companies to build and launch into space, research and development laboratories, that will also host private astronauts and commercial activities. He previously served as the Assistant to the Center Director at NASA Stennis Space Center in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. where he provided Center policy development, strategic planning, budget management and technical integration. Prior to becoming the Assistant to the Center Director at Stennis, Mr. Gaines was the
Assistant to the Center Director at NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston Texas. Mr. Gaines completed a Board membership for the selection of the 2021 Astronaut class at NASA Johnson Space Center.
Mr. Gaines is a native of Mobile, Alabama, and a 1988 graduate of Mississippi Valley State University. He was selected by the National Football League (NFL), Kansas City Chiefs in 1988 and managed a dual career working for McDonnell Douglas aircraft while playing for the Chiefs. He is a past member of the Board of Directors for Communities in Schools Houston, focusing on empowering at-risk and homeless children. He is also a member of the Board of Directors for Mobile’s Exploreum Science Center, CERM Legacy Foundation and the Houston Art Alliance, where he lends his expertise in science, technology, engineering, and math to help engage and develop programs for children.
Mr. Gaines is mentor and performs speaking engagements at middle and high schools, Boys and Girls Clubs and other community centers in the southeast region. Mr. Gaines authored two books, “A Poetic Conversation”, which chronicles a segment of his life’s journey in poetry and prose, and “Archie Gunslinger Cooley”, a biography of his legendary college
head coach. He uses the proceeds from these books to help support kids in underprivileged communities. For additional information of Mr. Gaines, please visit darrylgaines.com.