Jonathan Root
Supply Chain Risk Analysis & Management Senior Specialist
With 35+ years at NASA — including founding the agency's Supply Chain Resiliency Board, building the Supplier Research and Analysis program at Goddard Space Flight Center, and earning NASA's Silver Achievement Medal and Outstanding Leadership Medal — Jonathan brings deep institutional NASA Supply Chain Risk Management authority to SMQC's analysis and program leadership work.
Career Details
Professional history and key responsibilities
2025 – Present
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Senior Analyst for Supply Chain Solutions
- Supporting supply chain analysis and management assignments
2023 – 2025
NASA Headquarters
Office of Safety and Mission Assurance
Office of Safety and Mission Assurance
Deputy Program Executive — Supply Chain Risk Management Program
- Led, advised, and managed agency-level strategy formulation and program planning, implementation, and operations — including the online Supply Chain Insight Central services, Supply Chain Research and Analysis services, and the Supply Chain Visibility Reporting initiative
- Served as the founding executive for NASA's Supply Chain Resiliency Board
2005 – 2023
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Program / Project Management — Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate
Program / Project Manager (2007 – 2023):
- Served as the senior advisor and project manager for the start-up and development of the Supply Chain Risk Management program within NASA HQ's Office of Safety and Mission Assurance
- Managed the start-up, development, and operation of the Supplier Research and Analysis program
- Directed the management, development, and operation of a state-of-the-market information system for NASA program/project performance, quality management, and supply chain risk management
- Developed and led the NASA Supply Chain Conference series (supplychain.gsfc.nasa.gov)
- Managed and conducted onsite quality management assessments of suppliers in the U.S. and Europe
Deputy Program Manager — Program Management Office for NASA's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) (2005 – 2007):
- Directed agency-wide operations and managed improvements for NASA's SBIR and STTR programs — providing $125M per year for technology development to competitively selected organizations
1987 – 2005
NASA
NASA Career — Innovative Partnerships, Technology Commercialization, and Policy
Program Executive, Innovative Partnerships Program Office (2000 – 2005):
- Developed and led agency-wide implementation of policy and strategies for software technology transfer and commercialization
- Led the formulation of a new dual-use technology program and led outreach to the U.S. venture capital community to foster investment in NASA-funded technologies
Program Manager, Commercial Technology Division (1990 – 2000):
- Formulated strategies and developed interagency relationships to create a first-of-its-kind, national network of technology transfer and commercialization centers
- Provided guidance and oversight for the start-up, development, and operation of technology commercialization centers and a dual-use technology program operating across the U.S.
- Led the development of the first network of websites for NASA technology transfer and commercialization
- Faculty Member for the NASA Program / Project Management Initiative
Presidential Management Intern / Policy Analyst, Office of Space Flight (1987 – 1990):
- Served in several positions during a two-year professional internship and as a policy analyst supporting leadership during the agency's Return-to-Flight effort following the Space Shuttle Challenger accident
Education
Industrial College of the Armed Forces
National Defense University, Washington, D.C.
National Defense University, Washington, D.C.
MS, National Resource Strategy
Strategic Management, Innovation, Advanced Manufacturing
Strategic Management, Innovation, Advanced Manufacturing
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
BA, MA in International Relations, and MGA in Government Administration
NASA Honors & Awards
NASA Silver Achievement Medal (2016)
Robert H. Goddard Honor Award for Exceptional Mentoring (2017)
NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal (2012)
NASA Peer Excellence Award (1999)
Areas of Expertise
Program and project planning and management
Policy and strategy analysis, formulation, and management
Industrial base, supply chain, and financial capability research and analysis
Team building and leadership
Engaging senior leadership and partnership development
NASA Programs Founded or Led
NASA Supply Chain Resiliency Board — founding executive
NASA Supply Chain Insight Central services
NASA Supply Chain Research and Analysis services
NASA Supply Chain Visibility Reporting initiative
NASA Supplier Research and Analysis program (Goddard)
NASA Supply Chain Conference series (supplychain.gsfc.nasa.gov)
NASA SBIR / STTR Program Management Office
NASA Innovative Partnerships Program Office
National network of technology commercialization centers
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