John Shannon is the vice president of Boeing Exploration Systems, which is responsible for the company's human space exploration programs, including the Space Launch System (SLS), the International Space Station (ISS), the CST-100 Starliner commercial crew vehicle, commercial low-Earth orbit initiatives and lunar pursuits. He is a leadership team member of the Space, Intelligence and Weapon Systems (SIWS) division within Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS), and has responsibility for Boeing's Michoud Assembly Facility and Space Coast sites.

Prior to this position, Shannon was the vice president and program manager of Boeing's SLS team, which designed, developed, tested, produced and successfully flew the core stage, upper stages -lift rocket on Artemis I in 2022. Shannon previously led the ISS program for Boeing in its key integration role for NASA. His responsibilities included overall integration and operations of the ISS orbiting laboratory. 

Before joining Boeing, Shannon serv deputy associate administrator for Exploration Planning in the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate. In this role, 
Shannon was responsible for working with NASA and the international partners to define future human exploration activities for NASA Headquarters. 

While at NASA, Shannon served as program manager of Space Shuttle Program, providing executive direction and policy for all aspects of space shuttle processing 
and development, including prelaunch and flight operations. Shannon managed the program's final 14 missions, including the last Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission and completion of the U.S. on-orbit segment of the ISS. Prior to this role, Shannon served as the deputy manager and the manager of Flight Operations and Integration for the Space Shuttle Program. 

Shannon began his career on the Space Shuttle Program as a flight operations engineer in 1988. In 1991, he was named the head of the Space Shuttle Guidance, Navigation, and Flight Control section. In 1993, Shannon was selected as flight director for the Space Shuttle Program, the youngest person ever to hold that position.

Shannon's academic achievements include a Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace engineering from Texas A&M University and completion of Harvard Business School's Program for Management Development.

Throughout his career, Shannon has received accolades for his technical and 
managerial leadership, such as the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal, the Presidential Rank Award for Distinguished Executive, and the Astronautics Engineer of the Year award from the National Space Club. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the American Astronomical Society (AAS), is a board member of the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration (CDSE), and is the Boeing executive focal for Texas A&M University.