Team Member Category: Leadership

Brad Head is a widely recognized leader in the field of international space cooperation, bringing nearly three decades of expertise in security cooperation, international relations, and defense strategy. Brad’s career in the U.S. Air and Space Forces was marked by a series of high-impact leadership roles, where his strategic vision and diplomacy helped advance U.S. interests across Europe, the Middle East,… Read more »

Pete Trainer is a noted defense executive, career Air Force officer and the new Managing Director of Elara Nova: The Space Consultancy. He oversees Elara Nova’s industry line of practice, ensuring effective execution and delivery of value to each client across the portfolio. Pete is uniquely equipped to grow this line of business, applying his… Read more »

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… Read more »

Jim Sullivan is a C-Suite Executive and Board Director driving accelerated growth, profitability and ROI to increase valuations on behalf of private equity and venture capital portfolio companies, public companies and early-stage businesses. He is a trusted advisor to Boards of Directors and CEOs on business strategy and improving financial and operational performance. With expertise… Read more »

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… Read more »

Roger Teague is a Founding Partner of Elara Nova. He is a widely recognized senior space executive and retired U.S. Air Force Major General who has built and led high performing teams to great success in multi-scale organizations across the public and private sector. He has led strategy, growth, and operations as President, Space and… Read more »

Eddie Papczun is a Founding Partner of Elara Nova responsible for driving business development and providing solutions for global clients capitalizing on his extensive experience in the Space sector, supporting both private and military organizations. Papczun is a successful entrepreneur and executive leader with a wealth of expertise in support of national security space imperatives…. Read more »

Mike Dickey is a Founding Partner of Elara Nova. Dickey is a career aerospace executive focusing on national security and U.S. space competitiveness for the 21st century. Mike’s experience includes both serving as an Air Force officer, as well as a civilian senior executive level during the stand-up of the United States Space Force. He… Read more »

Kim Crider is a Founding Partner of Elara Nova. She brings more than 35 years of experience managing multibillion-dollar global operations and technology programs in space, aerospace, cybersecurity, IT, data, and AI to the core team. A recently retired U.S. Air Force (USAF) Major General, Crider was the first Chief Technology and Innovation Officer for… Read more »

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… Read more »