Q&A with Gateway: Meet Dennis Davidson, Deputy Program Planning and Control Manager for the Gateway Program

Gateway's success relies on effective management of budget and resources. As the deputy Program Planning and Control manager, NASA Johnson Space Center-based Dennis Davidson supports the business operations of the Gateway program. This includes budget and resources control, acquisition strategy and contract management, schedules, cost estimation and assessment, Information Technology and external engagement.

Let’s get to know more about him, below!

What is your role in the Gateway program? 
I am the deputy manager for the Gateway Program Planning and Control Office.

What are your primary responsibilities?
As the deputy manager, I am responsible for helping the manager execute the daily responsibilities of operating the office, as well as doing strategic planning for how the office should function in the future.

What are you excited to share about Gateway and what it will do for human exploration as part of the Artemis program?
I believe the Gateway concept for sustainability will make human presence in lunar orbit as routine as the International Space Station has made human presence in low-Earth orbit.  

How has your own personal background influenced your work on the Gateway program? 
Having worked on multiple programs, I am keenly aware that they are all different. My experience helps me to cultivate the best ideas and processes from each of them to make Gateway successful.

Being surrounded by such a high-performing group of people, what’s a great piece of advice you’ve learned? 
You are never too old to learn. Gateway is full of high-performing and extremely talented young people with lots of fresh ideas. Their energy, enthusiasm, and creativity inspire me every day.

In line with JSC’s DARE | UNITE | EXPLORE, how do you see yourself fitting into the vision?
My philosophy is to do your job well and be a good team player. Your contribution to the vision will take care of itself.

Now, more about you. Where did you grow up?
My father was in the military, so I grew up on Air Force bases in New Hampshire, California, and Alabama.

How long have you been at JSC? 
38 years.

Describe yourself in five words.
Spiritual, easygoing, analytical, conscientious, and idealistic.

Favorite thing(s) to do to unwind.
There is nothing more relaxing than playing with my new grandson.

How has the pandemic shaped your working style?
It has made me much less reliant on paper.

Tell us a fun fact about you. 
I love to play darts.

At Johnson, we are laser-focused on the next: going forward to our lunar neighbor to build outposts in uncharted territory while revolutionizing the strategies and technologies that will eventually open up the universe. The Gateway is a critical component of the Artemis program and embodies Johnson's DARE | UNITE | EXPLORE vision: We dare to expand frontiers. We unite with our partners to complete bold missions. We explore space to benefit humanity.

DARE | UNITE | EXPLORE