Team Member Category: Partners

Colonel Pettis served 29-years in the United States Air Force where he served primarily in space operations.   He served in space operations and policy assignments at Headquarters Space Force and Air Force, major command, numbered air force, and unit level.   Colonel Pettis served on the Secretary of the Air Force’s Space Force Planning Team, where… Read more »

High-energy, technically savvy, people leader with 28+ years of experience operating at the highest levels of decision making and national trust while managing no-fail Federal infrastructure and systems. Uniquely skilled technical and executive manager – led financial, manpower, and asset integration for $950B, 5-year budget build of 680K employee organization with 100+ operating locations.  Collaborative… Read more »

Chris DeSena was commissioned in 1995 through the Navy ROTC program at Vanderbilt University. Designated a Naval Aviator in 1997, Chris flew both operationally and as an instructor pilot. In 2004, Chris became an Aerospace Engineering Duty Officer. Over the next ten years, Chris held a range of positions to include Operational Tester, Contracting Officer’s… Read more »

Rob Frey is a Space Industry Subject Matter Expert (SME) in the development and execution of government products and services including DoD/IC satellite, commercial satellite, and hosting payload acquisitions. He is a retired military officer with 35-years of acquisition experience in the space community dealing with space control, satellite command and control, missile warning/defense, early… Read more »

Dr. Kirkpatrick brings nearly three decades of experience and expertise in scientific and technical intelligence (S&TI), S&TI and space policy, research and development, acquisitions, and operations with a specialization in space/counterspace mission areas. After finishing his Ph.D. in nonlinear and nonequilibrium physics, Dr. Kirkpatrick served in a variety of sensitive space and S&T roles across the Naval… Read more »

Charles Galbreath is Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies at the Mitchell Institute’s Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI- SPACE). He is a retired United States Space Force Colonel; a Command Space Operator with expertise in Missile Warning, Space Control, Space Launch, and ICBM operations; and a Senior Materiel Leader with experience developing advanced technology… Read more »

Kurt Kuntzelman is the Chief Defense & Space Office at RS21 and a seasoned executive with an impressive 33-year record of business development, program management, satellite operations, and lifecycle expertise for multi-billion-dollar global space system networks. Kurt has notable experience implementing large space projects for both the Defense Department and the U.S. Intelligence Community, bringing… Read more »

Jason retired from the USAF [Colonel] with over 23 years of leadership, driving innovation in air, space, and cyber domains, and managing high-stakes national security programs. After his military career, he served as President of the federal subsidiary at Firefly Aerospace, Inc., and led government relations, revenue growth, business development, and MARCOM. His corporate leadership… Read more »

Chad retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2023 as a general officer with 29-years of cyber operations, communications, and information technology experience.  He is a 9-time commander, to include the White House Communications Agency, leading complex international organizations, and a thought leader with vast strategy development, policy, resource management, operations, risk mitigation, and budget… Read more »