Our Team

What Sets us Apart:

A Pioneering Team. A Bold Vision.

Decades of experience in aerospace and technology have taught us that true innovation required fresh eyes and open minds. Our leadership team balances what is possible with deep domain expertise to realize Capella’s vision for a world illuminated and empowered by SAR.

Frank Backes

Chief Executive Officer

Justin McNaughton

Chief Financial Officer

Christian Lenz

Chief Technical Officer

Paul Stephen

Chief Information and Security Officer

Mack Koepke

Vice President, Global Sales

Dan Getman

Vice President, Product

Dan Connors

General Counsel

Nate Ricklin

Vice President, Platform Engineering

Rachel Cheetham

Vice President, Business Operations

Gordon Farquharson

Vice President, Sensor Systems

Brandon Smith

Vice President, Space Systems

Board of Directors

Payam Banazadeh

Founder

Matt O’Connell

Chairman of the Board
Operating Partner, DCVC

Bobby Yazdani

Founder & Partner, Cota Capital

Matt Ocko

Managing Partner, DCVC

Peter Tague

Managing Partner, US Innovative Technology (USIT)

Ken Gonzalez

Managing Director, NightDragon

Roger Mason

President, Peraton Space & Intelligence Sector

Pete Williams

Partner and COO, Cota Capital

Government Advisory Board

Robert Ashley

Robert Ashley

Chairman of Capella Space Government Advisory Board
Clayton Hutmacher

Clayton Hutmacher

Former Director of Operations in the U.S. Special Operation Command

Douglas Loverro

Former Deputy Asst Secretary of Defense, Space Policy

Gil Klinger

Former Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Space)

Jeffrey Harris

Former Director of the National Reconnaissance Office

Lieutenant General Joseph “Gus” Guastella

Former Headquarters Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations
Join us in our journey to develop a richer understanding of our planet.
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