Ham-Astronaut Chris Cassidy, KF5KDR, has been appointed chief of NASA’s Astronaut Office. Cassidy, who conducted several Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contacts as part of the Expedition 35/36 crew onboard the ISS in 2013, is a US Navy Captain and a former Navy SEAL. NASA officials announced Cassidy’s appointment on July 9.

During his career as an astronaut, Cassidy, 45, spent 182 days in space and carried out six spacewalks. In addition to time on the ISS, Cassidy was part of a Shuttle Endeavour crew. He replaces US Air Force Col Robert Behnken, KE5GGX.

In his new role, Cassidy will manage the operations and safety programs of NASA’s Astronaut Office. He’ll also help to develop astronaut flight crew operational concepts as well as crew assignments for future space missions.

Born in Massachusetts, Cassidy considers York, Maine, to be his hometown.