On September 1, 1954 Dr. William H. Pickering succeeded Dr. Louis G. Dunn as Director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Pickering had been head of the Guided Missile Electronics Division. At a gathering of JPL managers, Pickering was given a congratulatory "bouquet" wishing him good luck in his new position. Looking on in amusement are (left to right) Jack Froelich, head of the Guided Missile Engineering Division; Cliff Cummings, head of the Guidance Systems Section; and an unidentified employee.

For more information about Dr. Pickering, or any of the former JPL Directors, contact the JPL Archives.