NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

National Aeronautics and Space Administration
John H. Glenn Research Center
Lewis Field
Cleveland, Ohio 44135

J. William Sikora

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J. William Sikora is the Chief Counsel of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) John H. Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field in Cleveland, Ohio. Appointed to this position in 1988, Sikora manages a 12-person legal team that provides a full range of legal services to the center.

As a senior member of NASA's legal team, Sikora supports process innovation and crisis management across the agency's legal function. In 2003, he was appointed by the NASA Administrator to serve as the legal advisor to the Columbia Accident Investigation Board.

Sikora began his federal legal career in 1981 as an attorney in the Cleveland Regional Office of the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) where he specialized in contract law. While at DLA, he served on an interservice "tiger team" appointed by the Secretary of the Army to negotiate the sale of Chrysler's Tank-Automotive Subdivision to General Dynamics. In 1987, Sikora left the Department of Defense to accept an appointment as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, where he successfully litigated a number of high-profile contract fraud cases.

Sikora earned his bachelor's degree in Philosophy from Borromeo Seminary of Ohio, and his Juris Doctor degree from the Ohio State University College of Law.

Sikora has been awarded the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal, a Presidential Rank Award for meritorious service, the NASA Legal Team Leadership Award, and a NASA Group Achievement Award recognizing the Columbia Accident Investigation Board Support Team. Twice he has been recognized with a Wings of Excellence Award from the Cleveland Federal Executive Board.

Sikora enjoys spending time with his 10 children, playing racquetball, and coaching youth basketball. He and his wife have been foster parents for over 20 years.

11/07