SPACE FORCE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Chief Operations Officer
Mr. Bruce Hollywood, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is currently the Associate Chief Operations Officer of the United States Space Force, the Pentagon, Washington DC. In this capacity, he supports the Chief Operations Officer in execution of overall responsibility for Operations, Intelligence, Sustainment, Cyber and Nuclear Operations of the United States Space Force. He played a key role in the historic establishment of the United States Space Force as an independent Service in December 2019.
Prior to Space Force, Bruce was Assistant Deputy Director for Joint Strategy and Planning in the Joint Staff J5. His team led the development of the National Military Strategy, the Joint Strategic Campaign Plan, and the Global Campaign Plans. He worked with interagency partners across the government to strengthen whole-of-government approaches to National Security challenges.
Bruce was a Fellow in the first cohort of the White House Leadership Development Program. This Fellowship, sponsored by the Executive Office of the President, works to build enterprise leaders to tackle our Federal Government's highest priority and highest impact challenges. His White House assignment was focused on improving service member and veteran mental health and suicide prevention services.
Bruce served 21 years in the United States Air Force in a wide range of operational, staff, and leadership positions and retired as a Colonel.
Job Titles:
- National Reconnaissance Office Deputy Director / Major General
Job Titles:
- Space Systems Command Program Executive Officer for MilComm & PNT
Mr. Cordell DeLaPena is the Program Executive Officer (PEO) for Military Communications (MilComm) & Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT), Space Systems Command, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California. As the PEO, he manages and oversees development, production, delivery, and maintenance of critical and innovative Communications and PNT systems worth more than $22.3 billion. He is responsible for multiservice, multinational systems, as well as the training and equipping of more than 1800 military and civilian personnel.
Mr. DeLaPena entered the Air Force in 1985 after receiving his commission through Officer Training School. From 1985 to 2014 he has served in a variety of acquisition and leadership positions within the Air Force and National Reconnaissance Office. In 2014, he retired from active duty in the rank of Colonel and entered civil service as a member of the Senior Executive Service. As the director of the Program Management and Integration Directorate he advised the Air Force Program Executive Officer for Space on weapon system management, acquisition, integration and analysis.
Mr. DeLaPena is a graduate of the Defense Systems Management College's Executive Program Manager Course. He is a designated member of the Defense Acquisition Workforce and is certified Level III in Program Management and Systems Planning, Research, Development and Engineering.
Job Titles:
- Program Executive for Ground - Based Weapon Systems for the Missile Defense Agency
Job Titles:
- Commander, Space Operations Command
- Commander, Space Operations Command / Major General
Job Titles:
- Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations, Cyber, and Nuclear
Job Titles:
- Director of Requirements, Integration and Strategy, Space Systems Integration Office / Major General
Job Titles:
- Space Operations Command Deputy Commanding General, Operations / Major General
Job Titles:
- Space Operations Command Deputy to the Commanding General - Support
Dr. Brian Kehl, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is the Deputy to the Commanding General - Support (DCG-S), Headquarters Space Operations Command (SpOC), Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado.
Dr. Kehl leads SpOC's Human Capital (S1), Mission Sustainment (S4), and Resource Management & Special Access Programs (S8) Directorates. He is responsible for providing military and civilian personnel support, force structure analysis, senior officer matters oversight, weapon system sustainment, infrastructure resilience, collateral and classified Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution (PPBE) activities, Strategic Basing, and Special Access Program clearances, information technology management, and physical and personal security.
Dr. Kehl entered the United States Air Force in 1994 after receiving his commission through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, Detachment 855, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. As an active duty Air Force officer, he commanded two squadrons and a Mission Support Group and held a variety of positions in the Financial Management career field at the Acquisition Center, Air University, Wing, Major Command, and Headquarters Air Force and Headquarters Space Force levels. Prior to assuming his current duties, Dr. Kehl was the Executive Director for Defense Programs at Intuitive Machines, LLC.
Job Titles:
- Retired December 31, 2023 Director of Science, Technology and Research
Job Titles:
- Chief Technology and Innovation Officer
- Member of the Senior Executive Service, Is the First Permanent Chief
Dr. Lisa A. Costa, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is the first permanent Chief
Technology and Innovation Officer of the United States Space Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. In this role, she is charged with unlocking and harnessing innovation to leverage increased speed and advantage. She is responsible for developing strategy and policy to advance Science and Technology and Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation; employing cutting-edge technologies to digitally transform the USSF; assuring USSF information technology needs are met; effectively managing USSF data; and conducting analysis supporting all USSF staff elements.
Prior to her current CTIO role, Dr. Costa served as Director, Communications Systems and Chief Information Officer for U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. Dr. Costa also served as the Senior Director of Innovation and Technology at Engility Corporation where she brought big data and artificial intelligence to client verticals. She served as the Vice President of Intelligence and Chief Scientist at PlanetRisk, a global leader in 365/24/7 real-time predictive risk analytics. She brought progressive leadership to complex and sensitive problems facing nations and global Fortune 500 companies. She is an expert in ubiquitous technical surveillance and tradecraft. She was formerly the Director of Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction and Violent Extremism at MITRE where she chaired the MITRE Corporate CWMD/Counterterrorism Council and led projects for the nation. Before that, Dr. Costa was the Executive Director of Integration and the Enterprise Systems Engineer for MITRE's National Security Center responsible for integrating sponsor outcomes across various missions, agencies, and programs. She provided executive strategic planning for business operations and advancing the Center's $1.2 billion business base. She advised HASC and SASC staffers on emerging science and technology. She advised new presidential administrations on emerging global risk and opportunities.
As a member of the Defense Science Board on numerous Task Forces and Summer Studies, Dr. Costa helped shape the U.S. model for homeland security, special operations' role in countering terrorism, developed novel approaches to WMD early warning, and championed the use of publicly available information for great power competition. Dr. Costa was MITRE's Chief Scientist for every combatant command and defense and service intelligence agency in the Defense Department. She was on the Office of the Secretary of Defense Senior Technical Experts Group and led MITRE's Independent Research and Development to develop patented, globally licensed work in advanced data analytics. Dr. Costa was responsible for establishing the largest data repository and AI-enabled data mining capability outside the National Capital Region in support of special mission unit target adjudication. As Director of the Non-Traditional Information and Knowledge Exploitation cell at USSOCOM, she led multidisciplinary teams to develop worldwide intelligence assessments. These efforts were at the request of combatant commanders to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This model was used for developing intel/ops centers around the globe.
Job Titles:
- Deputy Director of the Space Warfighting Analysis Center
Dr. Russell E. Partch, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is the deputy director of the Space Warfighting Analysis Center, Washington, D.C. The SWAC conducts analysis, modeling, wargaming and experimentation to create operational concepts and Force Design guidance for United States Space Force missions. Dr. Partch is responsible for the direction and oversight of all aspects of the organization's operations and products including joint integrated space designs, strategic changes to missions' areas, capabilities integration, and transition plans. The resulting force designs drive key processes and decisions to achieve the Chief of Space Operation's priorities for the Service.
Prior to his current position, Dr. Partch served as the technical adviser for the Space Warfighting Analysis Center, Washington D.C.
Job Titles:
- Chief of Space Operations / Chief Master Sergeant
- Chief of Space Operations, United States
Gen. B. Chance Saltzman is the Chief of Space Operations, United States Space Force. As Chief, he serves as the senior uniformed Space Force officer responsible for the organization, training and equipping of all organic and assigned space forces serving in the United States and overseas. As members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Chief of Space Operations and other service chiefs function as military advisers to the Secretary of Defense, National Security Council, and the President.
Gen. Saltzman is a graduate of Boston University and was commissioned in 1991. He has operational experience with missile and space systems, as a Minuteman III launch officer, and as a satellite operator for the National Reconnaissance Office. He also served as the first Chief of Combat Plans for the Joint Space Operations Center, and later, as Chief of Combat Operations.
Gen. Saltzman has commanded at the squadron, group, and wing levels including the 614th Space Operations Squadron and 1st Space Control Squadron at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California; the 460th Operations Group at Buckley AFB, Colorado; and the Aerospace Data Facility Colorado, Aurora, Colorado. Before serving in his current assignment, Gen. Saltzman was the Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations, Cyber, and Nuclear, United States Space Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
Job Titles:
- Vice Chief of Space Operations
Job Titles:
- Vice Chief of Space Operations, United States
General David D. Thompson is the Vice Chief of Space Operations, United States Space Force. As Vice Chief he is responsible for assisting the Chief of Space Operations in organizing, training and equipping space forces in the United States and overseas, integrating space policy and guidance, and coordinating space-related activities for the U.S. Space Force and Department of the Air Force.
Job Titles:
- Commander, U.S. Space Command
Gen. Stephen N. Whiting is the Commander, U.S. Space Command, headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base, Colo.
As Commander, Gen. Whiting is responsible for defending U.S. and allied interests in the space domain while providing space-enabled combat effects to joint warfighters around the globe. He exercises combatant command authority over Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen and Guardians operating ground and space-based systems around the world.
Gen. Whiting is a 1989 distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy with a degree in aeronautical engineering. He is a space operations officer and has commanded the 13th Space Warning Squadron; the 614th Air and Space Operations Center and Joint Space Operations Center; the 21st Space Wing; and the Combined Force Space Component Command and 14th Air Force.
Gen. Whiting's staff assignments include positions at Headquarters U.S. Air Force; U.S. Space Command; U.S. Strategic Command; the Chief of Naval Operations' Strategic Studies Group; the Office of the Deputy Secretary of Defense; Headquarters Air Force Space Command; and Headquarters U.S. Space Force.
Job Titles:
- Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Intelligence
Job Titles:
- Director of National Security Space Policy, National Space Council, for the White House in Washington
Job Titles:
- Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, Space Operations Command
Job Titles:
- Mobilization Assistant to the Chief of Space Operations
Job Titles:
- Retired November 02, 2022
Joy M. White, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is the Executive Director for Space Systems Command, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California. She leads a workforce of over 15,000 personnel across 29 operating locations to deliver a $15.6 billion annual portfolio of agile, integrated and resilient space capabilities addressing critical national imperatives and joint warfighter requirements. Additionally, Ms. White is the Director of Atlas, leading essential mission-support roles such as talent management, contracting, financial management, small business, and logistics. She drives data-informed decision making and expedites the development of innovative business processes to capitalize on rapid acquisition of space assets in today's competitive space ecosystem.
Ms. White entered federal service in 1985 as a Copper Cap contracting intern. Prior to her current position, she was Director of Contracting and Head of Contracting Activity for the Space and Missile Systems Center, and the Deputy Director of Contracting for the Missile Defense Agency.
Job Titles:
- Space Rapid Capabilities Office Director and Program Executive Officer
Dr. Kelly Hammett, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is the Director and Program Executive Officer (PEO) for the Space Rapid Capabilities Office (Space RCO), Kirtland Air Force Base (AFB), New Mexico. As Space RCO's senior acquisition officer, Dr. Hammett is responsible for and oversees space-based research, development and acquisition activities for classified space acquisition programs assigned to the Space RCO. In this position, Dr. Hammett serves as the principal advisor to the Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Space Operations, United States Space Force for the rapid development and fielding of classified critical space capabilities for the United States Space Command and Space Force. In his PEO capacity, he is responsible for a robust portfolio of major acquisition programs providing operationally dominant space capabilities that strategically enhance the Nation's warfighting capabilities in the space domain.
Dr. Hammett entered the Air Force as a second lieutenant in 1988, receiving his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at the University of Oklahoma, Norman. His 20-year active duty career spanned a variety of positions mainly focused on directed energy weapon system technology development and acquisition, and culminated after serving as the Director of Engineering for the $7 billion Airborne Laser Program. His civilian career started at Kirtland AFB where he served in various positions to include the Chief Engineer for the Directed Energy Directorate's Optics Division and the Directed Energy Directorate's Chief Engineer, where he led engineering and program management activities and provided technical oversight of 30+ science and technology programs valued at over $300 million.
Dr. Hammett has published more than 14 technical papers in national and international journals and conference proceedings. He was directly responsible for the development and flight test of more than ten first-of-their-kind, world record setting directed energy technologies. He is a member of the Acquisition Corps, and held multiple Critical Acquisition Positions over the last 12 years. He is a Level III Space Professional, and previously commanded an operational space surveillance detachment. Throughout his career, he has led more than 30 successful field demonstrations of optical and directed energy technologies for space surveillance, missile defense, force protection, air superiority, and global precision attack mission needs.
Prior to his current assignment, he was the Director, Directed Energy Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico. He was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in 2016.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Defense Intelligence
Kris Acosta, a member of the Defense Intelligence Senior Executive Service, is the Director of Intelligence and System of Systems Engineering of the Space Systems Integration Office, Space Systems Command (SSC), Los Angeles Air Force Base, California. She establishes and maintains enterprise level technical baselines, engineering processes, specialty engineering, and the overall systems engineering strategy for space acquisition programs. Ms. Acosta is responsible for enterprise analysis including red and blue modeling and simulation in support of threat-informed architecture development and requirements definition. In addition, her organization is leading the digital transformation / digital engineering effort for SSC. Ms. Acosta is responsible for the SSC Intelligence Division ensuring that the enterprise space architecture is resilient to emergent and enduring threats. She supports the integration of National Security Space weapons systems, intelligence programs, civil space systems, commercial capabilities, and international cooperative partnership systems to create a collaborative and resilient all-of-government enterprise space architecture.
With over 27 years of experience in the aerospace and defense industry, Ms. Acosta is a multi-disciplinary engineer who has served in a variety of roles in the areas of reusable launch vehicles, autonomous air systems, military aircraft, directed energy, and national space systems. Across various business areas, Ms. Acosta focused on streamlining programmatic and systems engineering processes to deliver new capabilities rapidly and efficiently. Most recently, Ms. Acosta was the General Manager for Vector Launch, LLC focused on developing liquid fueled target vehicles. At Northrop Grumman Corporation (NGC), Ms. Acosta worked in roles ranging from Manager of Systems Engineering, Global Supply Chain Program Manager, and Program Manager on a variety of new business opportunities. Prior to joining NGC, she worked at Boeing for over eight years as a thermal protection systems engineer developing advanced insulation systems for the Space Shuttle Orbiter, X-37 and other reusable launch systems.
Job Titles:
- Performing the Duties of the under Secretary of the Air Force
Job Titles:
- Director of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Headquarters US Space Force, Pentagon, Washington DC.
Lt. Gen. Douglas A. Schiess is the Commander, U.S. Space Forces - Space; and United States Space Command's Combined Joint Force Space Component Commander, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. General Schiess leads thousands of joint and combined personnel across 70 tactical units with a mission to plan, integrate, conduct and assess global space operations in order to deliver combat relevant space effects in, from, and to space for Combatant Commanders, Coalition partners, the Joint Force and the nation. The General plans and executes space operations through two command and control deltas and exercises operational control of assigned and attached U.S. Space Forces including all or portions of six operational deltas. Additionally, Lt. Gen. Schiess controls five distinct and geographically dispersed operations centers, including the Combined Space Operations Center at Vandenberg SFB, California; the National Space Defense Center at Schriever SFB, Colorado; the Missile Warning Center at Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station, Colorado; the Joint Overhead Persistent Infrared Planning Center at Buckley SFB, Colorado; and the Joint Navigation Warfare Center at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico.
Lt. Gen. Schiess entered the Air Force as a Distinguished Graduate of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of California, Los Angeles in 1992, and transferred to the United States Space Force in 2022. He has commanded the 4th Space Operations Squadron at Schriever AFB, Colorado; the 45th Operations Group at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida; the 21st Space Wing at Peterson AFB, Colorado; and the 45th Space Wing at Patrick AFB, Florida. He deployed to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, in support of operations Enduring Freedom, Resolute Support, and Inherent Resolve. His staff assignments include Headquarters Air Force Space Command, Headquarters Space Operations Command, the Air Staff and Office of the Secretary of the Air Force. Prior to his current assignment, Lt. Gen. Schiess was the Commander, Combined Force Space Component Command and Vice Commander, Space Operations Command.
Lt. Gen. John E. Shaw served as the Deputy Commander, U.S. Space Command. U.S. Space Command is the Unified Combatant Command responsible for conducting operations in, from, and to space to deter conflict, and if necessary, defeat aggression, deliver space combat power for the Joint/Combined force, and defend U.S. vital interests with allies and partners. He retired Nov. 1, 2023.
Lt. Gen. Shaw entered the Air Force in 1990 as a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy with a degree in astronautical engineering and a minor in Russian language. He has served in a variety of air and space operations and staff positions, including operations tours in the 50th Space Wing, the National Reconnaissance Office, the 32nd Air Operations Group and the Space Warfare Center. His operational commands have included the 4th Space Operations Squadron, the 50th Operations Group, the 21st Space Wing, and 14th Air Force. He also served at U.S. Strategic Command as Director of the Commander's Action Group and as Deputy Director for Operations, and in the Pentagon as an Air Force intern, as Deputy Chief of Space Strategy and Integration, a speechwriter and as a senior space policy advisor.
Prior to his current position, Lt. Gen. Shaw was dual-hatted as the Commander, Combined Forces Space Component Command, U.S. Space Command, and as the first Commander, Space Operations Command, U.S. Space Force, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. He also served as the Deputy Commander of Air Force Space Command, United States Air Force.
Job Titles:
- Chief of Current Operations
Job Titles:
- Deputy Director of Strategy, Requirements, Plans and Programs
Mr. Stephen L. Hart, a member of the Senior Executive Service is the Deputy Director of Strategy, Requirements, Plans and Programs, Headquarters U.S. Space Force, Washington DC. In support of the Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Space Operations he leads a staff of military and civilians in the annual development of the Space Force's Program across the Future Year's Defense Plan. Mr. Hart also assists with the development and integration of Space Force strategy and long-range plans to ensure the Space Force builds and employs effective space and cyber forces to achieve national defense objectives.
Mr. Hart served on active duty in the Air Force October 1988 through October 2015. As a Navigator flying the KC-135, and later as a staff officer and unit commander he held several key operational and staff positions. Specifically, he commanded an Air and Space Operations Center (AOC) and an Operations Support Squadron (OSS). His assignments included duty at Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), as well as, two tours on the Air Staff; one in the Plans and Programs Directorate (AF/A8) and the other in the Operations Directorate (AF/A3).
Job Titles:
- Deputy Director of Staff, Office of the Chief of Space Operations, U.S. Space Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia
Mr. Wade S. Yamada, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is the Deputy Director of Staff, Office of the Chief of Space Operations, U.S. Space Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. He provides executive management, oversight, guidance, and direction for the Space staff in support of the U.S. Space Force mission, programs, and administrative operations. He exercises supervision and management oversight for directorate personnel. He also advises and provides assistance to the Secretary of the Air Force and Chief of Space Operations on numerous aspects of Department of the Air Force policies, plans and programs.
Mr. Yamada received his commission and graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1989. He has held a variety of operations research positions in personnel, operations, and strategic initiatives at Headquarters, Department of the Army. Operationally, Mr. Yamada has served in Iraq and Afghanistan supporting the command with operations analysis and campaign assessments. He retired from active duty at the rank of colonel and was appointed to the Senior Executive Service on Aug. 2, 2020.
Prior to his current position, Mr. Yamada served as the Chief for Research and Engineering for the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center, Office of the Department of Defense Chief Information Officer. He was responsible for identifying high impact artificial intelligence projects and established artificial intelligence governance for the Department of Defense.
Job Titles:
- Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Human Capital
- Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Human Capital / Major General
Ms. Katharine Kelley, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is the Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Human Capital, U.S. Space Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. She provides executive leadership and managerial direction for the Space Force in all functional areas of personnel management to include force structure analysis; personnel programs; civilian personnel; readiness; senior officer matters; quality force issues; equal opportunity; and family support for military and civilian personnel located at 175 locations worldwide in support of the service's space launch, space surveillance, missile warning, and satellite command and control operations.
Ms. Kelley earned a commission through the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Villanova University as a Logistics Officer for the 1 st Infantry Division. She transitioned to a civilian role within the Department of the Army working the most comprehensive base realignment and closure process in the department's history, as well as managing logistics, enterprise infrastructure, and space management. In 2016 Ms. Kelley assumed responsibilities as Superintendent at Arlington National Cemetery where she was responsible for rebuilding trust and confidence in the Army's operation of the cemetery and setting the strategic direction for recapitalization, expansion and technology innovations. Prior to her current position, Ms. Kelley served as the Chief Human Capital Officer for Army Futures Command. There, she stood up the command's headquarters in Austin, Texas and served as the senior advisor on all aspects of human resources including the establishment of the Army's first software focused training for soldiers and civilians.
Job Titles:
- Commander, Space Systems Command
Job Titles:
- Director of Plans and Programs, Office of the Chief Strategy and Resource Officer
Job Titles:
- Deputy Chief of Space Operations, Strategy, Plans, Programs, and Requirements
- Deputy Chief of Space Operations, Strategy, Plans, Programs, and Requirements / Major General
Job Titles:
- Military Deputy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration
Job Titles:
- Commander, Space Training and Readiness Command
Job Titles:
- Associate Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Human Capital
Todd L. Remington, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is the Deputy Chief Human Capital Officer, Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Human Capital, Headquarters U.S. Space Force, Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. He provides guidance and oversight for force structure analysis; personnel programs; civilian personnel; readiness; senior officer matters; quality force issues; equal opportunity and family support for military and civilian personnel located at 175 locations worldwide in support of the Force's space launch, space surveillance, missile warning and satellite command and control operations.
Mr. Remington served in the Air Force and in the Air National Guard for 22 years before retiring from the Air Force and starting his civil service career in 2007.
Prior to his current position, he served as Deputy Director, Manpower, Organization and Resources, Headquarters U.S. Air Force. He also served as Director of Manpower and Personnel, Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the Chief, Manpower, Civilian Personnel and Readiness Division, Headquarters, Air Force Special Operations Command. On the Secretariat Staff, he was the principal advisor to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Reserve Affairs on Manpower, Organization, Military Personnel Appropriation program, and issues related to employment of the Air Reserve Component for Active Duty Operational Support.
Job Titles:
- Space Training and Readiness Command Deputy Commander
Job Titles:
- Director of Global Space Operations / Major General
Job Titles:
- Retired August 01, 2022 U.S. Space Force Deputy Chief of Space Operations, Strategy, Plans, Programs, Requirements, and Analysis