Team Member Category: Partners

BT Cesul has served for 20+ years as defense intelligence analyst and team leader in space and counterspace systems engineering. Currently, Dr. Cesul holds the position of Sr Director of Capture for Umbra Space. He has previously worked as a Space Systems Engineer and Principal Intelligence Analyst for multiple entities within the National Security Space… Read more »

Maj Gen (Ret.) Brook J. Leonard retired from USSPACECOM, where he last served as the Deputy Commander and Director of Operations, Combined JointTask Force – Space Operations (CJTF-SO).  In that role he led the planning and execution of the command’s standup and global operational-level planning, fires, and maneuver for USSPACECOM to maintain advantage in space… Read more »

Charlie McGillis is a dynamic senior executive who has more than 30 years of defense and executive leadership experience. Her broad defense career spanned a wide variety of C-suite leadership positions.  In her last assignment in the United States Air Force, she served as the Director of Intelligence at Fourteenth Air Force (Space) where she… Read more »

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 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 demonstration and prototype systems. Prior to joining Mitchell, Charles served as the Deputy Chief Technology and Innovation Officer on… Read more »

Kurt has notable experience implementing large space projects for both the Defense Department and the U.S. Intelligence Community, bringing together teams from different nations, agencies, and companies to work together. Further underscoring his expertise and leadership in space and defense, Kurt also currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Professional Aerospace Contractors Association… Read more »