Mr. Gaines is currently the Deputy Manager, for Commercial Lunar Payloads Services (CLPS) Project Office at NASA Johnson Space Center. He works with U.S. commercial companies to deliver science and technology experiments to the surface of the moon. He is responsible for managing CLPS resources and processes which include a $2.6B budget and works directly with NASA Headquarters and Commercial Company leadership. Mr. Gaines has a background in Avionics and Software, and over 30 years of experience in planning, developing and leading Space Programs and Projects at NASA 

Mr. Darryl Gaines previously served as the Assistant to the Center Director at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston Texas, as well as the Assistant to the Center Director at Stennis Space Center in Bay St. Louis, MS. In these roles he provided Center leadership with advice and support on policy development, strategic planning, as well as budget guidance and management. He worked with NASA HQs in Washington D.C. on various strategic efforts related to Center policy, workforce and challenges.   

Mr. Gaines previously held the position as the Deputy Manager of the International Space Station (ISS), Program Planning and Control Office where he was responsible for managing an annual budget of $3.8B. He has worked across multiple NASA centers and with several commercial companies, as well as International Partners in Russia, Japan, Canada, and Europe.  

Mr. Gaines is a native of Mobile, Alabama, and a 1988 graduate of Mississippi Valley State University with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. He was selected by the National Football League (NFL), Kansas City Chiefs in 1988 and managed a dual career working for McDonnell Douglas aircraft while playing for the Chiefs. He was inducted into Mississippi Valley State University’s football Hall of Fame in April 2017.  

Mr. Gaines received an Executive MBA from the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, California and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) under the Project Management Institute (PMI). He also completed a NASA Fellowship, Business Acumen for High Potential Leaders at the University of Michigan.  

Mr. Gaines is a current member of the Board of Directors for the CERM Legacy Foundation and the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center where he lends his expertise in STEM and space technology to help develop programs for children. He recently joined The Board of Directors for the Houston Art Alliance and is a past member, current supporter of the Board of Directors for Communities in Schools Bay Area, focusing on empowering at-risk and homeless children.