Commercial space company Sierra Space has appointed Dan Jablonsky, a seasoned executive from the aerospace and defense sectors, as its new chief executive officer. The appointment, effective March 2, signals a strategic reinforcement of the company's growing focus on the defense market.
Jablonsky takes the helm from company founder Fatih Ozmen, who served as interim CEO and will continue his role as chair of the board. This leadership change comes as Sierra Space works to scale its satellite production and deepen its ties with military and government clients.
Key Takeaways
- Dan Jablonsky, former CEO of Maxar Technologies and Ursa Major, is the new CEO of Sierra Space.
- The appointment underscores the company's strategic shift toward the defense and national security sectors.
- Founder Fatih Ozmen will remain as chair of the board after serving as interim CEO.
- The leadership change follows the 2024 retirement of former CEO Tom Vice and aligns with the company's expansion of its satellite manufacturing capabilities.
A Strategic Leadership Appointment
Sierra Space has brought in a leader with deep roots in both the commercial and defense aerospace industries. Dan Jablonsky's appointment is a clear move to leverage his experience in scaling complex organizations as the company expands its operational footprint.
Company founder Fatih Ozmen expressed confidence in the decision. In a statement released on February 26, Ozmen highlighted Jablonsky's qualifications to guide the company through its next phase of growth.
"Dan brings tremendous experience leading complex aerospace and defense organizations at scale," Ozmen stated. "As Sierra Space expands production, advances key programs across civil and defense business, and supports growing customer demand, this is an exciting time to bring in a CEO with a track record of operational execution."
Jablonsky's role officially begins on March 2. He succeeds Ozmen, who stepped in as an interim leader following the retirement of Tom Vice earlier in 2024. Vice had been the CEO since Sierra Space was established as an independent entity in 2021.
A Period of Transition
Sierra Space was spun out of the defense contractor Sierra Nevada Corporation in 2021 to focus on the burgeoning commercial space economy. The company's initial focus was anchored by high-profile civil projects, but it has recently made significant inroads into the defense sector, creating a need for leadership with expertise in that area.
Jablonsky’s Extensive Industry Background
Dan Jablonsky is no stranger to the demands of the modern space industry. His career includes leadership roles at some of the sector's most prominent companies, giving him a unique perspective on both satellite technology and propulsion systems.
Most recently, he served as the chief executive of Ursa Major Technologies, a company that manufactures rocket propulsion systems. Before that, he led Maxar Technologies and its predecessor, DigitalGlobe, where he was responsible for major satellite manufacturing and Earth imaging operations.
- Ursa Major Technologies: Led the rocket propulsion and missile manufacturer as CEO.
- Maxar Technologies/DigitalGlobe: Oversaw satellite production and global Earth imaging services.
This combined experience in both hardware production and data services aligns directly with Sierra Space's dual ambitions in building space infrastructure and serving government clients.
Pivoting Toward National Security
While widely known for its Dream Chaser spaceplane, which holds a NASA contract to deliver cargo to the International Space Station, Sierra Space has been actively diversifying its portfolio. In recent years, the company has increasingly pursued and won contracts within the defense market.
This strategic pivot involves building satellites and related systems for military applications. The growing engagement with the Pentagon was recently highlighted by a visit from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, signaling strong government interest in leveraging commercial space capabilities.
Expanding Production Capacity
To meet the rising demand from both commercial and defense customers, Sierra Space announced plans last year to construct a new 60,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Centennial, Colorado. This expansion is specifically designed to increase the company's satellite production capacity.
Jablonsky's proven ability to manage large-scale manufacturing and execute on complex aerospace programs is expected to be a critical asset as the company brings this new facility online and ramps up its production lines.
The Future of Sierra Space
With Jablonsky at the controls, Sierra Space is positioned to solidify its role as a key player in both the civil and defense space arenas. His leadership is expected to bring a heightened focus on operational efficiency and program execution as the company navigates a competitive market.
The company's trajectory now involves balancing its flagship Dream Chaser program with the aggressive pursuit of national security contracts. This dual-pronged strategy is becoming more common among commercial space firms seeking to build resilient and diversified business models.
As the Louisville, Colorado-based company moves forward, the industry will be watching closely to see how Jablonsky's leadership shapes its path and strengthens its position as a critical supplier for government and commercial partners alike.