Occupation: Senior Executive Service member; Aerospace Engineer (Retired)
Born: Monroe, North Carolina, September 10, 1942
Education:
DSc, The George Washington University (1983)
MS, Virginia State College (1967)
BS, Hampton Institute (1962)
Career:
Aerospace/ Educational Consultant (2016-2019)
Aerospace Consultant, NASA (2008-2009)
Appointed Director, Office of Strategic Communications and Education (OSCE), Langley Research Center for Strategic Planning, NASA (2004-2007)
Appointed Assistant Director, Langley Research Center for Strategic Planning, NASA (2002-2004)
Lead, High Speed Research IIA Planning Activities, Langley Research Center for Strategic Planning, NASA (1995-1999)
Project Manager, High Speed Research Program Office, Langley Research Center for Strategic Planning, NASA (1994-1995)
Group Leader, Langley Research Center for Strategic Planning, NASA (1989-1994)
Aerospace Engineer, Langley Research Center for Strategic Planning, NASA (1973-1989)
Data Analyst, Langley Research Center for Strategic Planning, NASA (1967-1973)
Research Assistant, Instructor of Mathematics, Virginia State College (1965-1967)
Teacher of Mathematics, Norcom High School, Portsmouth, VA (1964-1965)
Teacher of Mathematics, Russell High School, Lawrenceville, VA (1962-1963)
Member, Federal Senior Executive Service, Appointed Director, Aero-Performing Center Management Office, Langley Research Center for Strategic Planning, NASA
Associate Administrator for Aeronautics, Developmental Assignments, NASA
Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems, Marietta GA
Office of the Director, Assessment of Organizational Structure, Langley Research Center for Strategic Planning, NASA
Civic:
Member, Board of Trustees, Virginia State University, (2020-Present); Board Member, Astro Physics Board of the Pacific (2018); Member, Advisory Board, Local Langley, NASA Center (2019); Member, Board of Directors, Virginia Air and Space Museum (2019)
Creative Works:
Author, 57 refereed technical reports in supersonic aerodynamics and sonic boom minimization; Contributing Author, Articles, Journal of Aircraft; Author, Technical Reports
Achievements:
Achievements include research in field of sonic boom prediction, sonic boom minimization, supersonic wing design, and subsonic flap design.
Awards:
Recipient, Congressional Medal of Honor (2020); Recipient, Honorary Doctorate Degree for Technical Achievements, The George Washington University (2019); Recipient, Honorary Doctorate Degree for Technical Achievements, North Carolina State University (2018); Inductee, Engineering Hall of Fame, The George Washington University (2017); Recipient, Honorary Doctorate Degree for Technical Achievements, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA (2012); Recipient, Gold Medal for Outstanding Achievement in Leading the Center’s Sonic Boom Minimization Program, NASA (1995); Honoree, Black Engineer of the Year, Mobile Medical Corporation, Baltimore (1988); Recipient, Candace Women of Achievement Award, National Coalition of 100 Black Women (1987)
Memberships:
Secretary, National Tech. Association (1990-1991); Membership Chair, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (1991); Secretary, Aeroacoustics Technology Committee, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (1987-1991); Associate Fellow, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Religion:
Christian, Presbyterian (Advocacy at local, regional and national level for many years)
Family:
Daughter of Noah Horace Mann Senior and Desma (Chaney) Mann
Married: Walter Lee Darden Junior (6/13/1963)
Children: Jeanne; Janet
Step Daughter: Mary
Five Grandchildren
Three Great-Grandchildren
Biography Sources:
Who’s Who in Science and Engineering – 1992-1993, 1st Edition (pub. 1992)
