John R. Olds, PhD

John R. Olds, PhD has worked in the aerospace industry since 1985. John R. began as an Aerospace Engineering Intern at NASA Johnson Space Center in 1985, and then moved on to become a LARSS Student Intern at NASA Langley Research Center in 1986. In 1987, they were an Engineering Intern at Lockheed Martin, and in 1988 they were an Aerospace Engineer in the Advanced Concepts Group at General Dynamics. In 1993, they moved to North Carolina State University as a Visiting Assistant Professor, and in 1995 they began as a tenure-track Assistant Professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology, eventually becoming a tenured Associate Professor in 2001. In 2000, they co-founded SpaceWorks Enterprises, Inc. (SEI) and served as the company's CEO from 2000 to 2022. In 2011, they co-founded Generation Orbit Launch Services, Inc. as a subsidiary unit of SEI and served as Chairman and CEO. Currently, Dr. Olds serves in a part-time role as one of SEI's Principal Engineers with emphasis on NewSpace markets, commercial business relationships, industry consulting and advisory services, and business development.

John R. Olds, PhD obtained their education in the following chronological order: they attended Dorman High School from 1978 to 1983, then North Carolina State University from 1983 to 1987 where they earned a BS in Aerospace Engineering, followed by Stanford University from 1987 to 1988 where they earned an MS in Aeronautics and Astronautics, and finally North Carolina State University from 1990 to 1993 where they earned a PhD in Aerospace Engineering. In addition, they obtained a Registered Professional Engineer certification from the State of Georgia in February 1997.