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WITI Museum | Women in Science & Technology Month | 1998 | June 17

Florence Yoshiko Kailiwai-Barnett
Director for Center Operations and Support
NASA John C. Stennis Space Center
Nominated by: Thelma Kailiwai

Excerpt from nomination: Florence Kailiwai-Barnett entered the elite federal Senior Executive Service (SES) corps in February 1995 at the age of 41 and became the first and only Asian-Pacific Islander female SESer in NASA when she was selected for the position of Director for Center Operations and Support at John C. Stennis Space Center (SSC) located in Southern Mississippi. SSC has served the space program as NASA's premier rocket engine test facility and is chartered as NASA's Center of Excellence for large space transportation propulsion system testing. (Note: In 1996, career SES incumbents in NASA numbered 436.) Florence is also the first female, as well as the youngest ever, SESer at SSC.

As Director for Center Ops, Florence manages the "city" of Stennis Space Center, a bustling multiagency, multidisciplinary technical and scientific community comprised of a number of federal and state agencies, educational entities, and industrial contractors. Florence ensures that the SSC infrastructure supports all program activities and requirements effectively, efficiently, and economically for a population over 3,700. This infrastructure consists of almost 140,000 acres and facilities worth over $1.3 billion. There are 142 structures, 1.5 million square feet of building space, 8 miles of canals, 45 miles of roads, 24 miles of underground utilities, 82 miles of fiber optic cable, 7,374 miles of copper cable pairs, and 27 miles of telephone duct banks.

Florence provides management and direction for the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of facilities required for testing rocket propulsion systems and subsystems. She is also responsible for center-wide information technology, environmental compliance, logistics services, medical and occupational health services, and security of personnel, property, and information systems.

Florence is a "trail blazer", the likes of which SSC hasn't seen. Her general management style is truly people-oriented and is geared to:

  1. provide an environment in which her employees can be most productive and satisfied in carrying out SSC's mission and charter,

  2. continually develop a highly motivated work force, and

  3. aggressively promote teamwork, alliances, and interdependencies.

Her experience, qualifications, and credentials will be extremely relevant in the next 3-5 years at SSC since:

  • SSC will be in a growth mode - an anticipated $150 million in construction activity. Florence is spearheading that activity.

  • Congressional and commercial elements are increasingly interested in SSC as a base for operations. Florence as Director of Center Operations and Support will be the center of that focus.

  • Increased emphasis within NASA and the government to be more business-savvy, customer-oriented, and marketing-minded. As a business/public administrator she has been successful in melding the business with the technical at SSC.

  • SSC will become increasingly culturally diverse. Florence has been a diversity leader before it became the vogue and will be a guiding force in promoting diversity as a business and competitive advantage.

Florence will become a very bright star within NASA and I'm extremely proud of her. She represents the best there is as an Asian-Pacific Islander. And on top of that she's a great and wonderful sister.

What was your first job and what did you learn from it?

My first real job was a clerical job, assisting an executive secretary. My boss was a great trainer - she assigned me a multitude of duties which were terrifying, at first. I certainly learned from that experience, though. Something as simple as answering telephones and greeting visitors taught me the importance of being of service to people and having a pleasant, professional demeanor. I have carried what I learned that summer to my job today.

Who is your hero, mentor, or person you most admire? Why?

This is a tough question, because there are so many people I could name, but I'll try and narrow it down to the people I'm closest to. My hero and mentor is my husband, Larry Barnett. He's my biggest fan who continually "cheers" me on to tackle challenges, opportunities, and issues. He has also served as an example and role model to me since he had a notable career of his own. Besides that, he's "savvy" and a great teacher!

As for people I most admire, they would have to be my parents, George and Yoko Kailiwai. They provided a loving, nurturing environment in which my sister, Thelma, my brother, George, and I thrived. They set high standards and raised us to believe there wasn't anything we couldn't do. What they did must have worked - Thelma is a high-ranking manager in industry, George is a military officer, and I'm where I am today!

What are you most proud of (either professionally or personally)?

What I'm most proud of is also one of the most exciting experiences of my life. About three years ago, I had the opportunity to fly in the back seat of an F-18 fighter aircraft! We did some instrument landings, aerobatics, and formation flying. We flew twice the speed of sound and "pulled 4 Gs" at one point. It was exhilarating! Not only was it a lot of fun, but I came to appreciate - even more - our nation's flight research activity and the wonderful people and machines associated with it.

What advice would you give to young women who want to enter your field?

My advice would be applicable to any field of endeavor, I believe: Welcome the unknown with open arms, look at everything as an opportunity to learn and grow, and be excited about your life and your life pursuits.

What is your favorite book?

I would have to say that my favorite book is "Hawaii" by James Michener; I've read it at least four times! It's a beautiful epic novel that's steeped in history, tradition, and cultures. And, of course, I feel especially close to it, given my Hawaiian heritage on my father's side.

What do you see as the single most interesting element of your work?

I really enjoy the diversity of my work, both in terms of the work itself and the people I work with. Running a "city" like Stennis Space Center covers everything from providing security services to designing and constructing high-tech rocket test facilities. Even though sometimes I feel I'm constantly running or juggling, the work is so dynamic and exciting ... and the people are fascinating.

What was your darkest moment (professionally) and what did you learn from it?

I can only think of one "dark moment" in my career, but, in hindsight, it really was a "shining" moment. Relatively early in my career, I found I didn't want to work for a manager whose management philosophy and practices I disagreed with. I made the very difficult decision to leave a familiar job/environment to launch off in a totally different direction. As it turned out, I made exactly the right move. The lesson I learned: be true to yourself, and you'll never go wrong.

What do you do to relax?

I'm a voracious reader. I enjoy novels and other light reading, but I also consume psychology, self-improvement, and metaphysical books and cassettes in vast quantities. Recreational traveling and snorkeling are also relaxing pastimes for me.