In Judo, I get people flying! Hi! My name is Mark Joseph León and I am the Learning Technologies Project Manager for NASA on the Agency Level. I have worked for NASA for 18 years and I love it. Growing up in the Silicon Valley region definitely influenced me in my career. I lived on a small ranch with horses and cattle in the Diablo Mountain range of the Bay Area. I wanted to be a science fiction writer while I was growing up, but my Dad encouraged me to go to college and suggested that later on I could fall back on writing.

While I was in high school I had a physics teacher, Mr. Alexander, who met the challenge of my inquisitive mind. I always wanted more information and facts and he would give it to me. My grade point average in high school was a 3.72 and I graduated from James Lick High School in 1980 with a number of awards. I won a scholarship to The Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, but several of my uncles encouraged me to work at NASA and attend San Jose State University at the same time. They counseled me that I would have more career choices at NASA and more options after graduation from a regular university.

When I started my college work I was an Aeronautics major and thought I would become an Aerospace Engineer. I had my first exposure to different aeronautical careers while I was in college and decided to switch to an electrical engineering major. I became a co-op student with NASA and went to San Jose State University. For 6 years I worked as a technician while I was going to college. Upon graduation I began working full-time at NASA. I have worked from lower to higher management. When I started I was overseeing projects with a budget of $300,000 and today I manage projects up to $30,000,000. In May I will have the distinct honor of presenting the latest technologies to the First Lady of France.

While in school I enjoyed partying and had a girlfriend. I got involved with a gang. Today I help students who are at risk - youth in crisis - by running a Rocket Club in East Palo Alto. If I could do it over I would have partied less, studied harder, and stayed out of certain circles while in school. Also, I would have studied harder in the fields of aeronautics. Today as a manager I delegate a lot of the work. If there are technical things that I should understand to be able to manage a project well, it puts me at a disadvantage if I am not technically knowledgeable.

I tried out for the track team while in high school, but had problems with sports. I turned this around also and became a National Champion in Judo. While at San Jose State I competed in Judo with the team in 1985. San Jose State has the best Judo team in the nation. I have a black belt both in Judo and Tae Kwon Do. Today I coach Judo and Tae Kwon Do.

I am a can do person. When others think that something can^Rt be done, I think that there can be a way. What you need to do is visualize your goals, even if they seem impossible and then take responsible steps in that direction. You need to establish a good foundation and then build on it. I bounce back pretty quickly when I am unsuccessful. I can regroup and get back into the fight. I like to stand in the presence of no possibility, but it is important to realize that we cannot bite off more than we can chew.

Someday I would like to publish one of my Science Fiction stories through a major publisher. Recently, I did publish one of my stories in a limited fashion. I am unique as a person because I always believe that there is a solution for every problem. I am an excellent public speaker and I work well under pressure. A typical day for me includes handling 20 - 30 e-mails each morning. I usually can delegate the tasks and problems to my deputy or other managers. My management position has given me the opportunity to be an entrepreneur with the ability to open up arenas to contribute with my talents and imagination.

In the United States we are developing innovative approaches and uses of technology that empower the U.S. educator in their use of technology. I manage 100 people. I want to be a leader in learning technologies for the Agency (NASA) and to stimulate new ideas or projects. I have to be aware of what technology advances are out there and be on the leading edge. I designed, implemented, and produced the first live broadcast from Antarctica for the ABC Nightline and Good Morning America programs.

On a personal level, I have 2 cats and a blue and gold macaw parrot. I am getting married next month. When I am not working I enjoy dancing with my fiancee, kayaking, mountain bike riding, marksmanship and archery, running, kick boxing, backpacking, and writing science fiction stories. My favorite food is chile verde, my favorite color is blue, my favorite book is the Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradberry, my favorite plane is the Katana, and my favorite music is the top 40.

I set goals all the time for myself - yearly, 5 year, 10 year, lifetime. My three favorite skills are writing science fiction, mountain bike riding, and working with youth at risk. An aeronautical career is important to me because in the last 30 years our country has lost 30% of the industrialized manufacturing market. Also, a career in aeronautics can influence the future planes that we build. We are working on ways to improve the noise level of airplanes, having less fuel consumption, the ability to carry more passengers, greater safety measures, and engines that will not destroy our ozone layer. I would recommend engineering to any person in our society who wants to make a difference. The future is waiting to happen by the next generation of students who will fulfill their destiny through engineering.

Questions for Mark:

What is your educational background?
B.S. Electrical Engineering Degree from San Jose State University and a partial completed MBA from Santa Clara University.