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Profile

Mr. Charles Beames is currently the Executive Chairman of York Space Systems, a leader in commercial small satellite design, manufacturing, and operations.

Apart from his role at York, Mr. Beames is also an active early-stage investor and co-founder of the SmallSat Alliance (SSA). He is currently serving as the chairman of SSA, which has become the preeminent industry group representing over 60 next generation space companies to the U.S. Congress, the Department of Defense, and the Intelligence Community. Mr. Beames also serves as a board director for multiple aerospace companies, including the Executive Chairman of SpiderOak, Inc, a leader in ZeroTrust commercial cyber security solutions.

Previously, he served as President at Vulcan Aerospace where he managed asset allocation of Microsoft co-founder Paul G. Allen’s $1B aerospace and technology investment portfolio and directed all aspects of the Stratolaunch project, the world’s largest aircraft and air launch system.

Beames brings executive level experience across the space and military industries, including technology development, operations, and private/venture capital investment. Prior to leading Vulcan Aerospace, he was a member of the Senior Executive Service, and held several executive positions with the Department of Defense. His last was as the Principal Director, Space & Intelligence Systems in the Pentagon, overseeing the execution of a $80B annual acquisition budget, especially focusing on remote sensing, communications, and space launch. Prior to that, he served 23 years on active duty as an Air Force space and intelligence officer, retiring as a colonel.

Credited with the creation of some of the most transformational space and intelligence programs of the last 30 years, Beames was awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal by Secretary Gates in 2011. He writes a monthly column for Forbes magazine and is a featured op-ed contributor in Space News, Aviation Week, Politico, and Breaking Defense.

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