Mark Lester is a visionary aerospace and defense executive with over 30 years of experience advancing critical operations across the public and private sectors. He has held numerous executive and C-suite positions, bringing deep expertise in space launch, satellite operations, missile defense, government market business development, and engineering consulting services. Across his career, Mark has led teams to secure over $4 Billion in government services contracts.

A pioneer in spaceport operations, Mark champions a transformative vision for these facilities to match the cadence and operational efficiency of commercial airports. As CEO of Alaska Aerospace Corporation, he operated the Kodiak commercial spaceport independent of state subsidies, modernizing its launch infrastructure and executing multiple successful launches for both military and commercial clients. Most recently, as Chief Operations Officer of Phantom Space, he implemented a global spaceport strategy, led the hot-fire test of a pathfinder rocket stage, and fostered key regulatory partnerships to advance launch capabilities.

Mark’s background also includes executive roles in a private-equity owned aviation company focused on military flight training, leading business development for a national security-oriented engineering services firm, and spearheading company-wide business development initiatives as a Principal at Booz Allen Hamilton. Mark began his career as a U.S. Air Force officer, where he operated military satellites, developed tactics to integrate space capabilities into air combat, and led all-source intelligence analysis.

Mark holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Norwich University, a Master of Engineering in Space Operations from the University of Colorado, and is pursuing a Doctor of Aviation/Aerospace Business Administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

‍

‍