Meet Lewis S. G. Braxton III

Chief Financial Officer,
NASA Ames Research Center

"The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather in a lack of will." Vincent T. Lombardi (Green Bay Packers Football Coach during the 1960's)

Who I Am
I am the Chief Financial Officer of NASA Ames Research Center. I control all the money received and spent by our Research Center. I also help the Center plan and sell their programs to Congress each year. To hold a position like this, one must be good with numbers, have the abilities to read a lot of material daily, and communicate effectively. Having a degree from college in Business, specifically Accounting or Finance, gives you a competitive edge over those who don't have these degrees.

I first became interested in this profession during high school. It was at this point a teacher told me, as an Afro-American, I couldn't become a good bookkeeper. I took this as a challenge to prove him and anybody else interested, that they were wrong.

My Career Path
Before I got established with NASA, throughout elementary and high school I harvested agriculture products and worked in restaurants cleaning and preparing foods. I graduated from Gwinn High School in 1972 where I was a member of the National Honor Society. Two years later I graduated with my AA degree in general education from Merced Junior College

I began my career in 1975 with NASA as a Cooperative Opportunity Student. This program allowed me to continue my university education, while also gaining "on the job experience," in various business activities while working for NASA. My entire career to this point has been with NASA.

I was employed by NASA Ames Research Center, after both graduating from California State University in Fresno with a BS in Business and completing the Cooperative Opportunity program in June, 1978. I began as an operating accountant, later becoming the work leader for my section. Beginning in 1980, I became an assistant branch chief, quickly rising to a branch chief position responsible for the preparation of Ames' external financial reports and general ledger functions. I obtained an MBA from Golden Gate University in 1982.

By 1983, I became an administrative assistant to Ames' Administrative Directorate. I assisted in all budgetary matters related to this directorate. I later returned to the accounting world in 1986, where I served multiple branch chief assignments within Ames' Financial Management Division. I also had the opportunity to practice project management and system accountant responsibilities during this phase of my career. I served a brief development term with Ames' Resources Management Office in 1993 to learn how budgets within NASA were put together. I also obtained my PMD in General Management from Harvard Business School in 1993. In 1994, I became the Financial Management Division's Deputy Chief, followed in 1996 becoming the Division Chief.

In 1997, I was reassigned to become the Office Chief for Ames' Resources Management Office. This Office was, and is responsible for all of Ames Budgetary activities. In 1998, I became the Acting, and soon after Ames current Chief Financial Officer, which is the position I hold today. This position allows me to be responsible for all of Ames financial and budgetary activities, as well as it allow me to contribute strategically to all of NASA in its financial and budgetary activities.

Three things helped me prepared for this career: 1) Sound math skills, 2) The abilities to communicate effectively (written and oral). 3) Leadership skill

As a Child
I grew up as an Air Force Dependent. My father was in the Air Force and flew in many bombers such as the B-26, B-29, B-36, B-47 and the B-52. The last bomber he served on was the B-52. B-52 bombers are still in use by the Air Force today. One of the other things I like about NASA, was it kept me close to things that fly. I was also excited about airplanes.

As an Air Force Dependent, you get to travel all over the world. Though I didn't ever go overseas, I did live in many of the States within the Untied States. We spent most our time in California, but we also lived in various parts of Texas, Michigan, Washington, Oklahoma.

When I was in Winton Elementary School in California, I wanted to be various things. Of course, since my father was in the Air Force, I wanted to be a pilot in a high performance aircraft. I also was very interested in the outdoors. I spent many years serving as a boy scout. As a result, there were times when I thought I would want to become a smoke jumper or a forest ranger. During high school, I was really into sports. I attended two high school when I was growing up. I went to Atwater High School in California during my first two years. And went to Gwinn High School in upper Michigan during my last two years. I played baseball, tennis, and football and ran track. I thought often of being a profession athlete in baseball and tennis. Tennis became was my main focus.

Growing up in the Central Valley of California, I was able to experience the life of Tow Sawyer. I wouldn't trade that in for anything. As a kid, and today, I love to read books on history. It is a way of exploring the unknown. A never ending adventure. Alexander the Great, Hannibal, and George C. Patton are all individuals who have inspired me. Notice they were all great Generals of their time. I like them primarily because they were able to overcome major obstacles when confronted with them.

What I like about my job
The best thing I like about my job is the opportunities I have in providing and advocating for the resources necessary to help increase the likelihood our researchers will make that next major scientific break through. The least thing I like about my job is when it requires me to work long hours, thus preventing me from being with my family.

Advice
Make sure you are sound in your math, reading and writing skills.

Future
For the future, I intend to finish my career with NASA Ames Research Center within the next 4 to 6 years. I will most likely finish as Ames Chief Financial Officer. I would then like to enter a career in the education arena, like becoming an instructor for UC Merced, Merced Junior College, or some other educational institution. Personally, I would like to have more time with my family, travel to various resorts and play a lot of golf.

Personal
I live in the San Francisco Bay Area of Northern California. I specifically live in the city of Fremont, located on the south/east end of the San Francisco Bay. I am married to a beautiful wife name Venoncia. We have three daughters (DesireeMoi, Monique & Marquita) and one son(also named Lewis). We have two dogs, a cat, a frog, two skinks and fish. We have two grand children also. Their names are Zachary and Skyler.