David Kirtley

David Kirtley is the founder and CEO of Helion Energy, a company that creates fusion energy systems. David has a long history of working with plasma and fusion energy, dating back to their time as a graduate student researcher at the University of Michigan Plasmadynamics Laboratory. David then worked as a research scientist at the Air Force Research Laboratory, where they led the scientific and engineering design of a Coaxial FRC thruster. David also worked at NASA Glenn Research Center as a Lewis Graduate Fellow, where they managed a team of engineers, scientists, and technicians for a variety of technologies. In 2008, they became the principle investigator and fusion lead at MSNW. David held this position for nine years before becoming the CEO of Helion Energy.

David Kirtley has a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan - Rackham Graduate School. David also has a Master's degree in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Michigan, and a Master's degree in Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from the University of Michigan. David has a BS in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan.

Some individuals on their team include Sachin Desai - General Counsel, George Votroubek - Co-Founder & Principal Scientist, and Chris Pihl - Co-Founder & CTO.