Donald Dankert
Branch Chief for the Environmental Management Branch
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Donald Dankert is Branch Chief for the Environmental Management Branch (EMB) within the Spaceport Integration and Services Directorate at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. He is responsible for a broad spectrum of duties and responsibilities central to the analysis, development, and integration of environmental policy, law, and regulations into projects and programs at both NASA Kennedy and agency levels.
Experience
Dankert leads a team of environmental professionals that provide guidance to NASA and Kennedy leaders, as well as stakeholders, in support of the continued development of the multi-user spaceport and agency programs and projects.
Dankert joined NASA in 2010 as an environmental scientist working within EMB where he primarily focused on NEPA actions, natural resource management, and environmental policy and compliance. He led the NEPA and environmental compliance effort for the Kennedy Space Center Master Plan that served to transform the center from a government-operated facility to a multi-user spaceport. Dankert also served as project manager for the KSC Dune Vulnerability Team, a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers that laid the groundwork for development of Kennedy’s long-term shoreline management strategy, as well as the design and implementation of the spaceport’s inland dune construction projects. Prior to joining NASA, he worked for the Florida Department of Transportation as an environmental program manager.
Awards
Dankert has received several prestigious NASA Awards, including the Space Flight Awareness Program’s Honoree Award and Silver Achievement Medals for exceptional leadership and management of Kennedy’s natural resources while transitioning to a multi-user spaceport and exceptional leadership and support of NASA Kennedy’s National Environmental Policy Act efforts.
Education
Dankert is a former U.S. Army combat medic and holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in environmental management from the University of Maryland.
Personal
An Ohio native, Dankert resides on Merritt Island, Florida. In his off time, he enjoys spending time with his family, boating, fishing, and cooking.