In the Diversity Corner

	David Jacintho pictured in his office

David Jacintho, Mission Business Manager for the EO-1 Project, is no stranger to challenges. Born with a number of birth defects and a vascular (blood) disorder which confines him to a large degree to a wheelchair, Jacintho is not one to let a little adversity distract him from the task at hand. After years of being home schooled, Jacintho made the decision to attend public high school because as he says, "If I wanted a job that wasn't on my block, I had to go out into the real world." Jacintho went on to receive a bachelor's degree in marketing and a master's in business administration from the University of Maryland College Park.

Jacintho began his career with NASA in 1989 as a Resource Analyst in the Mission Operations and Data Analysis Directorate. In 1998 he became the Mission Business Manager for the Mission Services Program Office. In this position, he was responsible for the successful preparation, completion, and delivery of the seven-year budget to division and directorate management for his programs.

Lft: Deputy Program Manager for Customer Commitment Office, Jon Z. Walker and David Jacintho

Recently Jacintho was asked to join the Structure and Evolution Program as the EO-1 Business Manager. This was hard decision for Jacintho who has spent much of his career working with many of the same people. "I worked in mission operations for more than 12 years so it was a very comfortable environment. It was difficult to leave my comfort zone, but the opportunity in the SEU program was to good to pass up," said Jacintho.

When asked what he would like people to know about him, Jacintho responded, "I never want people to perceive there is something that I cannot do because of my disability. I have always taken the approach that I can do anything until I am proved otherwise."

After working at Goddard for much of his career, Jacintho had this to say about the experience. "When I first started at Goddard, I thought that I would be here for about five years; 13 years later, I can't imagine being anywhere else," said Jacintho.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month and this year marks the 12th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). Written within a proclamation signed October 1, 2002 by President George W. Bush, it states: "The ADA helps disabled persons to participate more fully in our society; and it has opened doors for countless American, removing barriers, improving employment opportunities, expanding government services, and regulating accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications."

All of our citizens should have the opportunity to live and work with dignity and freedom," stated President Bush in his proclamation. "We recognize the talents, skills, and dedication of disabled Americans who are a vital part of our work force," the President added. "During this month we reaffirm our commitment to enable people with disabilities who want to work receive the training they need to achieve their goal."

Photos by Chris Gunn/293