Bruce “Hawks” A. Abbott is a retired U.S. Navy Captain with 40 years of experience spanning space and counter-space operations, electronic warfare, cyberspace, and space requirements and acquisition across both military service and the aerospace and defense industry. He brings direct operational expertise in multi-intelligence and multi-domain space operations, having supported U.S. Space Command, U.S. European Command, and the Intelligence Community in roles ranging from combatant command analyst to senior systems engineering and technical assistance advisor.
Throughout his career, Abbott delivered Title 10 and Title 50 intelligence products at the combatant command level, supported Space Domain Awareness and Command and Control for orbital space warfare, and contributed to the development of future Electronic Warfare and Countermeasures capabilities. His experience spans strategic nuclear watch, ELINT operations, computer network operations across the Global Information Grid, and service-level ISR integration with agencies including NRO, NSA, NGA, and DIA.
Abbott holds a Top Secret/SCI clearance with SAO, NC2-ESI, NATO, and CI Polygraph accesses and earned a B.S. from Lewis and Clark College. He is a certified Naval Flight Officer with extensive operational and analytical credentials across the space, cyber, and intelligence domains.
Jack Anthony has served 45 years in many space engineering, operations, leadership, program management and education roles. This includes 26 years in the Air Force and 19 years in the space industry. He worked in the National Reconnaissance Office and served with National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in several special roles. His passion for astrodynamics includes extensive experience in orbit maneuvering and rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO). He created the YouTube sensation the “Orbit Element Dance.” He’s a passionate “explainer of space stuff” and earned the call sign “Sensei.” Whether it be planning and executing our RPO missions or comprehending what shenanigans our adversaries are up to, Jack’s good to have around.
Jack brings some unique experiences that include his 2003 role as Department of Defense liaison deployed to NASA Johnson Space Center in support of the Space Shuttle Columbia accident investigation. In 1984 he was a visiting educator at the USAF Test Pilot School and continues to be a guest teacher for the Space Force Space Test Course there. He served in several space control programs including the F-15/ASAT test program. From 2019 to late 2023, Jack served as an advisor in the National Space Defense Center where he joined the on-duty crews and support teams to assist them in assessing foreign on-orbit space activity and bringing new capabilities into operations. He’s quick to offer a memorable astro explanation to ensure Guardian understanding and comprehension.
Mark Albrecht is a noted and highly decorated space and aerospace leader with over thirty years’ experience in intelligence, civil and national security space and the aerospace industry. He is widely consulted by the US government and industry on all matters of space policy and execution.
From October 2016 until January 20, 2017, and again from October 2024 until January 2025, Dr. Albrecht served as an advisor on space and member of the NASA and Defense Department transition landing team for the Trump Presidential transitions.
Until 2006, Dr. Albrecht was President of Lockheed Martin’s International Launch Services (ILS). ILS provided launch and associated launch integration services to government and commercial customers. During his tenure at ILS, Albrecht was nominated multiple times for Satellite Executive of the Year by Via Satellite magazine. In 2004, he was named by Space News as one of the “100 People Who Made a Difference” in space. By 2006, ILS had a backlog of over $2.0B and had booked over $6.0B of contracts and was widely recognized as the industry leader.
Albrecht was appointed in 1989 by President George H.W. Bush as the executive secretary of the National Space Council, serving in that capacity until June 1992. During this period, Dr. Albrecht was the President’s principal adviser on the US Space program including all national security, civil and commercial government space activities.
Previously, Albrecht served six years as the legislative assistant for national security affairs to U.S. Sen. Pete Wilson of California. Albrecht also held positions as a senior research analyst for the intelligence community staff in Washington, D.C., and the Rand Corp. in Santa Monica, Calif.
In 2010 Albrecht authored Falling Back To Earth: A Firsthand Account Of The Great Space And The End Of The Cold War (New Media Books, 2011)
Albrecht has been awarded the U.S. Department of Defense Distinguished Civil Service Medal, the NASA Distinguished Service Medal and the National Space Society Space Pioneer Award. He is the inaugural recipient of the Rand Graduate School Distinguished Alumni Award. He has been an associate member of the Defense Science Board and has served on several advisory and corporate boards, including United Space Alliance and the American Astronautical Society.
Albrecht graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of California, Los Angeles, and holds a Masters degree from UCLA and a doctorate in public policy analysis from the Rand Graduate School.
Growth minded senior executive (Colonel, USAF, Retired) with over 24 years of experience in the strategic planning and execution space in Air and Space operations currently working Critical Minerals and Materials for Office of the UnderSecretary of War, Acquisition and Strategy as a contractor for Anser. Former consultant in the defense technology sector, connecting multiple mid and small sized businesses to national and international clients. Graduate of United States Air Force Academy, 2001. Critical piece in the F-35 acquisition and the development of A2AD while working as the 4 star’s executive officer from 2014-2016.
Lead multiple technical procurement programs including moving map display, SADL/LINK 16 development and Light Aviation Radio System (LARS v4). Deployed 6 times to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Qatar. Portfolio of experience includes aviation instruction, combat operations, Department of War Acquisitions programs at multiple levels, PPBE, Air Force Accessions, MEDEVAC procedures, Base Operations management, Domestic Operations such as Civil Search and Rescue, National Guard employment and leadership and human relations in all military branches. Top leader in both fighter wing (125th FW in Jacksonville, FL) and Rescue Wing (23rd RW in Moody AFB, GA), ACC and ANG.
CoFounder (2016) and current board member of The Milieux Project, Inc, a Nonprofit designed to connect girls to aviation. Board member of Special Operations Association of America, Warriors In Need and Women Military Aviators.
Mr. Shawn Barnes joined Elara Nova in July of 2024. He is the Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, Congressional Budget and Appropriations Liaison.
As a board member of the Space Force Association, he contributes to strategic decisions shaping the future of space defense. In his recent role as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, Congressional Budget and Appropriations Liaison, Shawn successfully advocated for the Air Force and Space Force budgets for fiscal years 2023, 2024, and 2025, securing critical funding for future operations. Additionally, Shawn is the owner and founder of Polaris Strategic Solutions, LLC, where he guides industry through the national security ecosystem.
During his tenure in the Senior Executive Service since 2014, he spearheaded the development of the Air Force’s thirty-year resource allocation plan, enhanced legislative relations, and established the Air Staff’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Space Operations. His pivotal role in the inception and formation of the United States Space Force ensured a robust framework for future space operations. Additionally, he executed the duties of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration, driving significant advancements in space acquisition processes.
From 1985 to 2013, Shawn’s career in the United States Air Force was marked by significant achievements. He was instrumental in standing up the nation’s first Space Numbered Air Force, designing the future Space Domain Awareness architecture, and commanding both the 12th Space Warning Squadron and the 595th Space Group. He led the DoD’s effort to craft President George W. Bush’s National Space Policy and brokered international agreements with the United Kingdom and Australia, enhancing strategic missile warning capabilities.
Beginning his service in 1981 with the Department of Agriculture at Plum Island Animal Disease Laboratory, NY, Shawn played an important role in protecting the nation’s livestock from exotic viruses like swine flu and hoof and mouth disease.
Bret previously served as Northrop Grumman’s Corporate Lead Executive for Pacific Theater Government Relations, specializing in maritime capabilities across all domains. In this role, he cultivated strategic relationships with senior military leaders, industry executives, and allied partners to align operational requirements with emerging technologies and investment strategies.
Bret retired as a Rear Admiral after 35 years of distinguished service as a Naval Aviator in the United States Navy. He commanded operational units at the squadron, carrier air wing, and carrier strike group levels and held numerous senior leadership positions throughout the Department of the Navy and Joint Staff.
His final active-duty assignment was Director of Maritime Operations at U.S. Fleet Forces Command, where he led efforts to operationalize Distributed Maritime Operations and Fleet Design concepts while employing more than 100 ships, 30 submarines, and 1,000 aircraft to maximize combat-ready naval forces worldwide.
Previous flag assignments included Commander of Navy Warfare Development Command, Commander of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, and Commander of the Joint Enabling Capabilities Command. He also held key positions in Navy financial management, personnel distribution, capability development, and acquisition strategy.
Bret brings extensive experience in strategic planning, defense capability development, joint and allied military operations, executive leadership, government relations, and the integration of operational requirements with emerging technologies. His career has focused on helping organizations understand complex operational environments and making informed strategic investment decisions.
Bret earned a Bachelor of Science degree from South Dakota State University and a Master of Arts in International Relations from Salve Regina University. As a Naval Aviator, he accumulated more than 5,500 flight hours in Navy jet aircraft, including over 4,000 hours in the F/A-18 Hornet. He flew more than 100 combat missions and completed over 1,200 carrier-arrested landings.
“Boris” is a proven executive level leader of high performing organizations. He has succeeded at the program, portfolio, and corporate levels delivering space and digital transformation systems to the intelligence community, the Department of Defense, NASA, and other customers.
In addition to founding Silvergate Consulting, he was the President of Satellite Solutions at Terran Orbital (LLAP), an industry leader in small satellites. During his time with Tyvak, later Terran Orbital, the team beat CY2021 and 1Q22 revenue projections, while growing revenue ~100% from CY20 to CY21. Terran successfully merged with a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) and became a public company in March 2022.
Boris’ last Flag Officer position was as the chief executive of the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR, formerly SPAWAR), where he led an 11,000-person global organization responsible for the design, delivery, and supporting logistics of the Navy’s enterprise digital, cyber, and space systems. His direct reports included two business units with total annual revenue of $5 billion.
During his Naval career he received the National Reconnaissance Office and Department of the Navy Distinguished Service Medals and was selected as the Intelligence Community and Department of the Navy Program Manager of the Year.
Scott Bennett is an experienced geospatial and space professional who has worked for a variety of private sector companies for over 30 years including: geospatial airborne/space data start-ups, small-satellite manufacturing company, large publicly traded Defense Contractor, and a large International natural resource exploration company.
Scott has spent his career bridging the gap between Commercial and Government and has expertise in strategic and product planning, go-to-market implementation, partner establishment and management, business development execution of growth plans, implementation and leadership of sales teams, and a proven record of capturing new business.
Scott has a strong technical multi-phenomenology remote sensing (i.e., multispectral, hyperspectral, radar/RF, LiDAR), Space and GIS background. He has experience in finding preferred solution offerings (i.e., HW/SW, data, services) to support mission/application to Government (DoD & IC, Civil and International) and Commercial (i.e., Oil/Gas, Mining, Agriculture / Forestry, Utility, etc.) markets.
Scott holds a B.A. in Geology (secondary emphasis on Business Management) and M.S. in Economic Ore Deposits and Remote Sensing from the University of Colorado.
Scott currently is Founder and Owner of GeoSense Consulting LLC where he serves as a Senior Advisor / BD Consultant to commercial space and geospatial companies.
Mr. Daniel Bishop retired from the Air Force Senior Executive Service in October 2021 with 45 years of Air Force and Department of Defense experience across all organizational levels, with the last 21 years in the Pentagon.
From 2018-2021, Dan was the Executive Director of the Air National Guard (ANG) serving 108,000 Guardsmen and civilians across 90 wings, 11 centers, with 175 geographically separated units across 213 United States locations. He provided oversight of the ANG’s $11 billion annual budget.
From 2010-2018 Dan was Deputy Director, Operational Capability Requirements Directorate, HQ USAF/A5R, leading a diverse team of 130 military, civilian, and contractor employees in seven divisions and a named activity. He established Air Force policy and process integrating strategy, planning, acquisition, programming, budget, and intelligence to deliver major developmental, modernization and recapitalization programs spanning fighters, bombers, and mobility aircraft; space, cyber, and intelligence systems; command and control; nuclear and conventional munitions; force structure; electronic warfare; and missile defense.
Robert “Rob” Bongiovi is a strategic advisor and board member with over 33 years of leadership, acquisition, strategy, and program management experience supporting the Department of Defense, U.S. Space Force, Intelligence Community, NASA, and industry. Rob provides strategic guidance to aerospace and defense companies and government organizations on acquisition strategy, independent program reviews, competitive capture, and corporate growth initiatives, including mergers and acquisitions. His recent engagements include independent assessments for major national security space, ICBM, missile defense, and weapons programs, as well as capture strategies that have helped clients secure multi-billion-dollar wins and successfully integrate next-generation capabilities.
A retired Air Force Colonel, Rob previously led the U.S. Space Force Launch Enterprise, overseeing a $2B+ annual portfolio and an 800-person team. He partnered with SpaceX and ULA to transition from legacy launch systems to Falcon and Vulcan, drove the U.S. strategy to end reliance on Russian RD-180 engines, established today’s competitive launch marketplace, and created the Tactical Responsive Space (TacRS) framework to deliver rapid, mission-ready space capabilities. Earlier in his career, Rob was a key leader on the team that delivered the first Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) satellite to orbit, served in the Pentagon on both the Office of the Secretary of Defense and Air Force Staff, and held multiple program and operations assignments at the National Reconnaissance Office.
Rob is widely recognized for his ability to build high-performing teams and communicate complex strategies to diverse stakeholder communities. His contributions have been honored with the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal, the National Reconnaissance Office Distinguished Performance Award, and the Department of Defense David Packard Excellence in Acquisition Award — the highest honors awarded by each organization, reflecting transformational leadership, innovation, and sustained national impact.
Rob holds a Master’s in Management from the Air Force Institute of Technology, a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech, and a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Dayton.