Ron Dittemore



Ron D. Dittemore (born April 13, 1952, Cooperstown, New York) is a former shuttle program manager for NASA, and is currently the president of ATK Launch Systems Group, formerly known as ATK Thiokol Propulsion, part of Alliant Techsystems (ATK), Inc.

Education
Ron Dittemore graduated from Medical Lake High School, Medical Lake, Washington in 1970. He received a bachelor's degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering (University of Washington, 1974) and a master's degree in the same subjects one year later.

Career
Before joining NASA at Johnson Space Center (JSC) in 1977, Ron Dittemore worked as a turboprop/turbofan engine development engineer in Arizona. While at JSC, Dittemore held several positions, including flight director on 11 shuttle missions, deputy assistant director of the Space Station Program and manager of Space Shuttle Program Integration. He assumed the position of manager of the Space Shuttle Program in 1999.

Dittemore was the Shuttle Program Manager for NASA at the time of the loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia in February 2003. Dittemore announced his resignation from NASA in April 2003.

Current Occupation
Ron Dittemore is currently retired. Previously, he was the president of ATK Launch Systems Group of Brigham City, Utah. ATK (Alliant Techsystems) was selected in December 2005 as the prime contractor for the first stage of NASA's Ares I.

Personal
Ron Dittemore is married to Shirley Ann Seibolts. They have two children. Dittemore is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.