Harold (Trey) Carlson

Harold (Trey) Carlson is currently serving as the acting NASA chief of staff, where he is responsible for coordinating the management and execution of initiatives, programs, and policies in critical areas of concern to the acting administrator and agency leadership and ensuring that the strategic goals and objectives established by the acting administrator are achieved.  

Experience

Carlson had been the chief of staff for NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida where he was responsible for day-to-day operations, helping shape the strategic direction of the center while overseeing various policies and initiatives.

Prior to assuming the NASA Kennedy chief of staff role, Carlson served as the center’s legislative affairs manager. He directed the Kennedy’s legislative agenda, interfacing with Congress and with the State of Florida legislature as well as advocating for NASA’s exploration and science mission requirements and NASA Kennedy’s multi-user spaceport needs.

Carlson started with NASA in 2003 as a Presidential Management Fellow and worked at Glenn Research Center in Ohio in the Office of the Chief Financial Officer and Human Resources organizations before coming to Kennedy and working in the Launch Services Program.

Education

Carlson is a former U.S. Navy submariner and holds a bachelor’s degree in urban studies and planning from the University of California at San Diego, and a Master of Science degree in public policy and management from the Heinz School at Carnegie Mellon University.

Biography last updated January 29, 2025