After graduating from Vanderbilt with a Mechanical Engineering degree, Dave joined the USAF as a Civil Engineering officer designing HVAC and leading Base Maintenance activities. He supported Operation Desert Storm in theater and upon return to the US served in a full-time combat engineering role for the USAF’s RED HORSE engineering Squadron.
Dave then joined Orbital Sciences and spent the next 31 years integrating, testing, assembling, and launching rockets, missiles, and launch vehicles. He’s led numerous launch vehicle field campaigns resulting in the successful launch of dozens of spacecraft. He’s supported launches of Pegasus, Minotaur, Taurus, Antares, and GMD launch vehicles at Vandenberg SFB, Patrick SFB/Cape Canaveral, Wallops FF, Reagan Test Site/Hickam AFB for customers including NASA, USAF, Navy, ARPA/DARPA, NRO, South Korea, Taiwan, and US commercial firms. For these launches Dave both turned wrenches on assembly floors and managed entire field operations directing engineers, technicians, payload customer interface, schedule creation/execution, budget, and material operations. After Orbital merged with ATK and was eventually acquired by Northrop Grumman, Dave served as the Integration & Test Lead for NG’s Sentinel ICBM and NGI missile defense programs.
John Hyten is a Senior Principal Advisor for Elara Nova. He brings more than 40 years of experience in space and missile operations to the core team.
Before retiring from the U.S. Air Force (USAF), General Hyten’s honorable military career concluded with his service as Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In this role, Hyten served as the nation’s second-highest ranking military officer and was responsible for supporting and overseeing joint military requirements for nearly 1.5 million service members and their families across the U.S. Armed Forces. Hyten previously served as Commander of the United States Strategic Command and the Air Force Space Command. Additional commands Hyten oversaw during his military career included the 6th Space Operations Squadron, 595th Space Group, and 50th Space Wing.
Hyten’s military responsibilities also included roles as Mission Director, Space Operations Officer, and Chief of Command Center Training for the United States Space Command at Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Colo., Chief of the Engineering and Acquisition Division of the Space Defense Programs Office, and Chief of the Space Control Division, Directorate for Space Operations and Integration, and Deputy Chief of Staff for Air and Space Operations. Hyten also served a deployment to Southwest Asia as Director of Space Forces of the U.S. Central Command Air Forces during Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM.
Hyten brings extensive acquisition experience to the team, as his career responsibilities included roles as Director of Space Acquisition at the Office of the Under Secretary of the Air Force and Director of Space Programs at the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition. He also served in senior engineering positions on both Air Force and Army Anti-Satellite Weapon System Programs
After Hyten’s retirement in 2021, he has continued to be involved in the space industry as a Strategic Advisor to Blue Origin and Executive Director for its STEM-focused non-profit Club for Future. Hyten also serves on the Space Foundation’s Board of Directors and as an advisory board member for C3.ai and the National Defense Industrial Association’s Emerging Technologies Institute.
Hyten attended Harvard University on an Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps scholarship, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in engineering and applied sciences. He also earned an MBA from Auburn University at Montgomery and is a distinguished graduate from Squadron Officer School and Air Command and Staff College. Hyten was also a National Defense Fellow at the University of Illinois.
Lester Lyles is a Senior Principal Advisor for Elara Nova. He brings over 50 years of military and civilian expertise in tactical aircraft, space-launch, and missile defense systems to the team.
During his distinguished military career, General Lyles (Ret.) served for over 35 years in several prominent positions that included Commander of Ogden Air Logistics Center at Hill AFB, Utah, Commander of Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles AFB, Calif., and Director of the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization. Lyle’s military accomplishments culminated in his roles as Vice Chief of Staff at Headquarters U.S. Air Force (USAF) and Commander of Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, before retiring in 2003. As Commander of AFMC, Lyles was tasked with implementing all USAF research, development, acquisition, and logistics for an 82,000-person organization.
In his civilian career, Lyles has remained heavily involved as a respected and influential voice in the national defense and space industries. Lyles served as a member of the The President’s Commission on Space Policy and chaired the Rationale and Goals of the U.S. Civil Space Program Committee of the United States National Academies. Contributions to the industry also include membership on the Review of United States Human Space Flight Plans Committee for the Office of Science and Technology Policy, an election to the National Academy of Engineering in 2011, an appointment as the Vice Chairman of the Defense Science Board that advises the U.S. Department of Defense on scientific and technical matters, and an appointment to the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board by President Barack Obama from 2008-2012.
Lyles currently chairs the User Advisory Group for the National Space Council. He also chaired the NASA Council for the National Advisory Council through four different NASA Administrators from 2016-2024. Additionally, Lyles contributed to national security and intelligence issues as a member of the State Department’s International Security Advisory Board, the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board and chaired the Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board of the National Academy of Engineering.
In the private sector, Lyles has over 20 years of experience serving on the Board of Directors for several corporations including General Dynamics Corporation, Precision Cast Parts and Battelle Labs. Additionally, Lyles served on the Board of Directors for USAA for 15 years, including serving as the Chairman of the USAA Board for the last eight years. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board for KBR Corporation, a role he’s held since 2007. To this day, Lyles still serves as a member on the Board of Directors for the following organizations: Frontier Technologies Inc., Virginia Humanities, Partnership for Public Service, Virginia Academy of Science Technology and Medicine, Smithsonian Air & Space Museum, and the Air Force Museum Foundation.
Lyles earned a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Howard University and an M.S. in mechanical/nuclear engineering from New Mexico State University. He is also a recipient of Honorary Doctorate of Laws degrees from New Mexico State University and Urbana University. Lyles’ academic accomplishments also include graduating from the Defense Systems Management College, the Armed Forces Staff College, the National War College, and the National and International Security Management Course at Harvard University.
Gen (ret). DT Thompson is a Senior Principal Advisor for Elara Nova. With more than 38 years of experience serving the Air Force and Space Force, he brings experience in multiple domains of the space industry.
Prior to his retirement in 2024, General (Ret.) Thompson served over 38 years in the Air and Space Forces as a career space officer with assignments in operations, acquisition, research and development, and academia. He commanded operational units at the squadron, group and wing levels, deployed to SouthWest Asia as Director of Space Forces for Air Forces Central, and served in senior leadership positions at the National Reconnaissance Office, United States Strategic Command, Air Force Space Command and Headquarters United States Space Force.
Thompson’s military career culminated in the role of first Vice Chief of Space Operations for the United States Space Force, where he assisted in planning and creation of the first new military branch in 73 years, and served as member of the Joint Requirements Oversight Council, Deputy Secretary of Defense Management Action Group and periodic representative of the Chief of Space Operations in meetings of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Thompson earned a B.S. in astronautical engineering from the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA), an M.S. in aeronautics and astronautics from Purdue University, and an M.S. in national security industrial policy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF). He is also an Olmsted Scholar and graduate of the Defense Systems Management College, Air Command and Staff College, Air War College and Senior Acquisition Course of National Defense University. Thompson is a distinguished graduate of USAFA and ICAF, and a Distinguished Engineering Alumnus of Purdue University
Lieutenant General Nina M. Armagno established her reputation as an empowering and influential leader throughout an illustrious, 35-year military career. A distinguished leader in national security space operations, Armagno served as the Director of Staff at Headquarters, United States Space Force, from August 2020 to August 2023. In this strategic role, Armagno orchestrated the establishment of the sixth branch of the United States Armed Forces by directing the formulation of service plans, positions, policies, and procedures. This achievement cemented Armagno’s legacy of adept and innovative leadership, as she synchronized a new Headquarters staff to resolve multifaceted cross-functional issues that ensured efficient and cohesive operations for the United States Space Force.
Armagno’s career is underscored by key positions shaping space program operations and development. As the Director of Space Programs for the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisitions, Logistics, and Technology, Armagno crafted comprehensive strategies to coalesce support for space programs across various governmental entities, including the Department of Defense, Congress, and the White House. Armagno’s capacity for analytical and decisive stewardship is further reinforced by her robust experience steering national strategic nuclear war plans, space policies, and international engagements as the Director of Plans and Policy at Headquarters, United States Strategic Command.
Commissioned from the United States Air Force Academy in 1988, Armagno has demonstrated exceptional leadership at various command levels, notably as the only person to have commanded both launch wings in the Air Force. As the first Lieutenant General commissioned in the Space Force, Armagno’s trailblazing military career has progressed into the private sector, where she serves on the Board of Directors and Strategic Advisory Groups for several industry-leading companies, such as Rocket Lab, Intelsat, United Launch Alliance, Lockheed Martin, and VirnetX.
Armagno holds a Master’s degree in National Security Studies from the National War College and in Education Administration and Management from Chapman University, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the United States Air Force Academy. In recognition of her contributions to national security, Armagno has received a series of prestigious awards such as the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the General Jerome F. O’Malley Distinguished Space Leadership Award, Woman of Influence Award, and the Daughters of the American Revolution Patriot Award. Armagno’s commitment to excellence continues today as a selected member of The Council on Foreign Relations, further enhancing her impact on national security policy.
For 3+ decades, Dan served our nation in a variety of positions in the United States and around the world. He has enjoyed leading our men and women, from all military services, in organizations both large and small, in environments that ranged from peaceful settings at home, to the stress and chaos of receiving incoming ballistic missile attacks in war.
An expert in Air and Missile Defense and Space Operations, he has extensive experience in effectively leading large and complex military commands, conducting operations, requirements and capability development, test and evaluation, and budget formulation. Throughout his time, he oversaw changes in Department of Defense strategic missions; he led major mergers, restructuring, and relocation of organizations as directed by the President of the United States. Specifically, he led the mission change and subsequent stand-up of U.S. Space Command as well as the transfer of the global satellite communications and theater early warning missions and the associated 1,000+ soldiers, civilians, and families from the U.S. Army to the U.S. Space Force.
Prior to retiring from the Army as a Lieutenant General, he led the U.S. Army’s Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC), a globally dispersed organization across 23 locations and 11 time zones. He spearheaded the “16 Star Memo,” coordinating with the commanders from U.S. Space Command, U.S. Strategic Command, U.S. Northern Command, and the Chief of Staff of the Army to streamline missile defense command and control, resulting in President-approved changes to the Unified Command Plan (UCP). For the final two years of Dan’s time in command, SMDC has been the #1 Army command in the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) Employee Engagement rankings and was recognized as the Army’s “Best to Place to Work” in 2022 and 2023.
He has a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College, an Executive Master’s degree in Business Administration from Benedictine College, and a Bachelor’s Degree from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Dan is a Senior Advisor with the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Missile Defense Project, is a member of the TCOM Advisory Board and is a frequent contributor to Merit Street News on various national security topics. Dan has conducted numerous interviews and guest-lectured on the topics of Space, Air and Missile Defense, and strategic leadership at various think-tank, media, and academic venues and is a published author. He was awarded the St. Martin of Tours Award from Benedictine College and was recently selected as a board member for the Military Child Education Coalition.
Lieutenant General (Ret) Bill Liquori served as the first Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Strategy, Plans, Programs, and Analysis for the United States Space Force after a distinguished 30+ year career in the United States Air Force and United States Space Force. Before retiring from the military in September 2022, Lieutenant General (Ret) Liquori directed the strategies, requirements, and budget of the United States Space Force.
He entered the Air Force in 1991 as a distinguished graduate of the Air Force ROTC program at Boston University. His career included numerous operations and staff positions in Air Force Space Command, National Reconnaissance Office, Air Force Secretariat, U.S. European Command, Office of the Secretary of Defense, White House and United States Space Force. He commanded a space operations squadron and the 50th Space Wing. He is a graduate and former instructor of the United States Air Force Weapons School. His operational experiences include operations Southern Watch and Enduring Freedom, and he has received numerous awards from the Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, and Department of State for distinguished service.
Post retirement, Lt Gen (Ret) Liquori founded Polaris Strategic Insight, LLC, where he provides consulting and mentoring for aerospace organizations and individuals.
Kevin M. O’Connell is a recognized expert on space commerce, the global space economy, global intelligence activities, and U.S. national security matters. For almost four decades, he has focused on space commercialization and technological competitiveness and how to advance them in global markets. He has also focused on how these innovations impact U.S. and allied national security.
Previously, Kevin served as Director of the Office of Space Commerce (OSC) within the U.S. Department of Commerce from 2018-2021. He was the principal advocate in the U.S. government for the commercial space industry, including new ways to facilitate innovation and increase market growth. He focused on the growing role of the private sector in space, encouraged new space partnerships, worked to ensure the competitiveness of the U.S. commercial space industry, encouraged regulatory reform, and advanced American leadership in space safety and sustainability. Mr. O’Connell has testified before Congress on eight occasions about space policy and regulatory issues, U.S. space competitiveness, and the growth of space commerce. He was awarded the Vice President’s Dedicated Service Award for his support to the National Space Council.
Mr. O’Connell’s prior government roles includes positions in The Department of Defense, The Department of State, The National Security Council, Office of the Vice President, and Office of the Director of Central Intelligence.
Dave Mann is a retired Lieutenant General with more than 35 years in the U.S. Army. A technically competent and results-driven executive, his skillsets are executive leadership, air and missile defense operations, space operations, program analysis and evaluation, developmental test, organizational change, and strategic communications.
In his final military assignment, Dave served as the Commanding General for the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command, while also serving as the Commanding General for U.S. Strategic Command’s (USSTRATCOM) Joint Functional Component Command for Integrated Missile Defense. In those capacities he was responsible for leading, training, and developing the Army’s current and future global Space and Missile Defense forces in support of USSTRATCOM’s Unified Command Plan responsibilities.
Throughout his career, Dave served in multiple senior command positions and in Joint and Headquarters, Army staff assignments. While serving as the Commanding General, 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, he oversaw all ground-based air and missile defense (AMD) operations throughout the Middle East and established enduring relationships with our Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) partners. An experienced and seasoned communicator with a strong record of collaboration with DOD senior leaders, industry partners and members of Congress, Dave served as the Army’s first “lead integrator” for all Army Space and Missile Defense issues, and established effective forums to ensure stakeholder needs were properly met. He also served as the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Recruiting Command and as the Commanding General of the White Sands Missile Range. In addition to testifying before Congress annually, Dave has spoken at over 30 strategic forums including AUSA, NDIA, Space and Missile Defense Symposiums, and the Congressional Breakfast series.
He is a Distinguished Military Graduate of Gettysburg College after graduating from Millersville University in 1981. Dave also holds master’s degrees in Engineering Management from George Washington University and in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College. In 2015, he was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters (Honoris Causa) from Millersville University.
Rob Meyerson is an experienced executive working with clients in the aerospace, mobility, technology, and investment sectors.
Rob is currently a member of the Board of Directors at Axiom Space and at Sceye. He is an advisor to a number of early stage deep-tech companies, including Hermeus and ABL Space. He is also an angel investor in companies like Hadrian Automation, Starfish Space, and others.
Rob is the former President of Blue Origin and grew the company from its founding into a more than 1500-person organization between 2003 and 2018. Under Rob’s leadership, Blue Origin developed the New Shepard system for suborbital human and research flights, a liquid rocket engine business that provides boost propulsion for the ULA Vulcan launch vehicle, the New Glenn launch vehicle and the company vision for humanity in space, including the Blue Moon lunar lander, human spacecraft, habitats and in-space tugs.
Prior to joining Blue, Rob was a Senior Manager at Kistler Aerospace, and he began his career as an aerodynamicist at NASA’s Johnson Space Center (JSC).
Rob earned a B.S. degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in industrial engineering from the University of Houston.