L4 Director's Bio
L4 Space Program Solution's Director: Steve Leonard
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
· Career Space Professional with over 38 years of experience in all phases of space program execution: program management, concept exploration, satellite/ground development and ops, integration/test, launch base processing, financial control, and mission success.
- Amazing record of space program success: 16 launches, 6 satellite systems, and 3 ground systems
- Extensive experience with AFSPC/SMC, NRO, NASA, and MDA systems
- Awarded Air Force’s Program Manager of the Year for 2013 by Dr. LaPlante (Asst. Sec. of AF)
- Decisive, results-oriented professional with superior personnel leadership and management skills.
- Able to synthesize complex issues and communicate them to all levels.
- Proven multi-agency team builder and cross-functional team leader at headquarters and in the field.
- Expert certification in program management, business management, and technology/engineering:
- Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP) Program Management Level III
- System Planning, Research, Development, and Engineering Level III
- Degrees in Astronautical, Electrical, and Systems Engineering, and MBA
EXPERIENCE
L4: Space Program Solutions 2014-Current
- Delivering program management solution products to multiple government space programs.
- Space Chief Engineer for System Engineering & Integration for SSC Missile Warning Systems
SE&I Chief of Integration , TASC, Space Based Infra-Red Systems (SBIRS) 2013-2014
- Leads 15+ person team to execute System Engineering and Integration for nationally critical space system.
Program Manager, Global Positioning System Control Division (USAF) 2011-2013
- Led $4B program to upgrade GPS ground and Nuclear Detection systems.
- Responsible for all aspects of cost, schedule, performance, and risk management for critical DoD and civil national infrastructure.
Program Manager, Defense Weather Satellite System (USAF) 2010-2011
- Directed all aspects of Air Force’s $4B next generation weather satellite program.
- Developed next-generation optical and microwave payloads. Integrated ground system with parallel NOAA/NASA program.
Program Manager, Space Tracking and Surveillance System (MDA) 2006-2010
- Led 60+ member government team to execute $2B surveillance demonstration program (aka SBIRS-Low).
- Successfully developed, tested, and launched tandem satellites; operated satellites through integrated ground system to demonstrate birth-to-death tracking of missile defense system.
Chief Space Segment, Space Tracking and Surveillance System (USAF) 2002-2005
- Managed all aspects of dual STSS Demo satellites, including cost, schedule, and mission success.
Chief System Engineering Division, Space Based Laser Program Office (USAF) 2000-2002
- Led system engineering design for a $3B satellite/ground program to demonstrate a high energy kill of a ballistic missile target.
Chief Advanced Systems, Optical Surveillance Systems Program Office (USAF) 1998-2000
Chief Space Payloads Division, Office of Space and Technology (NRO) 1995-1997
- Directed design, manufacture, flight test, operational integration, failure recovery, and launch of multiple space payloads.
Chief Advanced Systems Test Division (Office of the Special Projects) 1991-1993
- Developed technical concepts and implemented 11 key program improvements for critical national program.
Chief Business Management Division (Office of Special Projects) 1989-1991
- Responsible for all program business management and financial control on a national space program.
Titan Satellite Integrator, Expendable Launch Vehicle System Program Office (USAF) 1987-1989
- Directed spacecraft/launch vehicle integration through launch operations for two Titan II launches.
Mission Assurance Program Manager, Expendable Launch Vehicle Program Office (USAF) 1985-1987
- Responsible for all mission assurance programs on Atlas and Titan II/III/34D launch vehicles.
EDUCATION
Masters of Business Administration - Executive, Pepperdine University 2013
· Author of numerous papers on business opportunities for aerospace companies
Advanced Program Management Course, Defense Systems Management College, Virginia 2010
Air Command and Staff College, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama 1997-1998
· Research Paper: Laser Options for National Missile Defense.
Masters of Science in Electrical Engineering Systems, University of Michigan, Michigan 1993-1995
· Major in Signal Processing with Minors in Optics and Communications
· Environmental Research Institute of Michigan work on Synthetic Aperture Radar applications.
Masters of Science in System Engineering Management, University of Southern California 1993-1989
Bachelor of Science in Astronautical Engineering, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado 1981-1985
AWARDS
· Air Force’s Outstanding Program Manager (ACAT 1); awarded by Dr. LaPlante (Asst. Sec. AF) 2013
· NDIA Missile Defense Outstanding Achievement 2011
· Missile Defense Technology Award; awarded by Gen O’Reilly (MDA/D) 2010
· Defense Meritorious and Meritorious Service Medals 2000, 2002, 2005