Colonel (Retired) Matt Anderson is the 16th Deputy Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. President Trump nominated him for the position on January 13, and he was confirmed in the role by the Senate on May 18. 

Anderson grew up on U.S. Air Force bases around the world as the second of three sons of Paul and Patricia Anderson. Paul served as a chaplain in the Air Force and Patricia served as a schoolteacher. 

After graduating from high school in New Jersey, he attended the U.S. Air Force Academy where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and served as the team captain of its nationally ranked Division I soccer team. He later earned a Master of Science degree in Aeronautical Science and a Master of Arts degree in leadership & counseling.

Anderson is a decorated Air Force command pilot in multiple aircraft with more than 5,000 flight hours, including more than 650 in combat. He commanded the U.S. Department of War’s only nuclear airlift squadron and served as a senior United States Air Force fellow at the George C. Marshall Center in Garmisch, Germany. Throughout his 24-year Air Force career, he served on several senior DoW staffs and commanded at multiple levels before retiring in 2021.  

Since retiring from military service, Anderson has served as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Growth Officer at the Space Force Association and as a Vice President at CACI International. 

Originally from Colorado Springs, Colorado, Anderson and his wife, Christine, are proud parents of two daughters, Kayla and Lauren.  

Outside of work, he is an avid snow skier, golfer, and hiker, and he is currently pursuing his A-license in skydiving.