United Launch Alliance is a provider of spacecraft launch services to the United States government.

Aviation & Aerospace

United Launch Alliance

Fred Taylor is the Director of Safety, Quality & Mission Success at [United Launch Alliance](/org/united-launch-alliance). Fred has over 20 years of experience in the private equity and startup industries. 

Fred began their career at [Alvarez & Marsal](/org/alvarez-marsal), a leading private equity fund and consultancy. Fred deployed full-time to oversee all aspects of merging two recently purchased portfolio companies. Their deliverables included recovering $715K in supplier overcharges, delivering additional $2.5M 5-year savings with 3PL outsource and negotiations, managing the integration budget, and achieving $3M in synergy savings. Fred was also key in merging two separate ERP systems and converting acquired employees to new HRIS and PEO.

In November 2019, Fred left [Alvarez & Marsal](/org/alvarez-marsal) to become the Chief Operating Officer of BICO, a startup that designs and manufactures hybrid microscopes. Under Fred's leadership, the company was successfully sold to CELLINK/BICO in July 2021.

Fred Taylor has an MBA from Columbia Business School with a dual emphasis in finance and international business. Fred also has a bachelor's degree in manufacturing engineering from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona. In addition, they are certified in the Zodiac QRQC System from Zodiac Aerospace, the IDEX Business System from IDEX Corporation, Breakaway Sales Coaching and Breakaway Selling from [Honeywell](/org/honeywell), and the [Honeywell](/org/honeywell) Operating System and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (ICGB) from [Honeywell](/org/honeywell). Fred is also certified in negotiating from Karass and in Lean Certification Series and Lean Certification from [San Diego State University](/org/san-diego-state-university). Finally, they have a certification in Total Quality Management from Crosby College.

Their manager is Salvatore T. Tory Bruno, President & Chief Executive Officer. Fred Taylor works with Andrew Blackmon - Chief Information Officer, Steve Furuto - VP, Finance and Strategic Partnerships, and Sondra Barbour - Vice President and General Counsel.

Fred Taylor

Christine Daines is the Director at [United Launch Alliance](/org/united-launch-alliance). Christine has over 17 years of experience with Boeing, having held various finance positions within the company. From January 2003 to December 2005, they served as the Director of Business Operations and Estimating for the Rotorcraft division. Christine then became the CFO for Mission Systems from January 2005 to December 2014. In 2014, they were promoted to CFO of the Vertical Lift division, a position they held until 2016 when they became the Vice President of Tiltrotor Systems and Director of the Bell Boeing V-22 program. In 2019, they became the Finance Vice President and Controller for Boeing Defense, Space & Security.

Christine Daines received a Bachelor's degree in International Business and French from [Concordia College](/org/concordia-college). Christine then went on to earn their Executive MBA from The George Washington University.

Christine Daines

Christopher Deel is the current Vice President of Engineering and Advanced Programs at [United Launch Alliance](/org/united-launch-alliance). Christopher has over 25 years of experience in the aerospace industry, starting with a co-op position at General Electric Aircraft Engines from 1991 to 1992. Christopher then joined [Lockheed Martin](/org/lockheed-martin) in January 2002, where they worked on the Orbital Space Plane Launch Vehicle Integration until December 2004. In their current role at [United Launch Alliance](/org/united-launch-alliance), they are responsible for leading a team of engineers in designing, developing, and testing launch vehicles and spacecraft.

Christopher Deel has a MBA from the University of Denver - Daniels College of Business and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from [Mississippi State University](/org/mississippi-state-university).

Christopher Deel reports to Salvatore T. Tory Bruno, President & Chief Executive Officer. Christopher Deel works with Andrew Blackmon - Chief Information Officer, Fred Taylor - Director, Safety, Quality & Mission Success, and Mark Peller - Vice President, Major Development.

Christopher Deel

Tom Burkholder is the Director of Strategy, Business Development and Sales at [United Launch Alliance](/org/united-launch-alliance) (ULA). In this role, he leads a team responsible for ULA’s strategic planning, competitive intelligence, capture and proposal activities, as well as strategic marketing and sales to drive new business, sustainable profitability and long-term competitive positioning of ULA for future launch services. Burkholder joined ULA in 2007 and has held leadership positions in Strategy, Business Development and Sales (SBDS) and Finance and during his tenure has contributed to the capture of $17 billion of new business.

Burkholder began his career with Martin Marietta which became [Lockheed Martin](/org/lockheed-martin). He graduated from [Lockheed Martin](/org/lockheed-martin)’s Financial Leadership Development Program before moving to Denver to work on Atlas development. Burkholder spent 10 years leading corporate development and finance at commercial companies prior to joining ULA, where he has 15 years of senior leadership experience.

Burkholder holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration from the [University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill](/org/university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill) and holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Colorado–Denver.

Tom Burkholder

Debra Scheider is a board member at [United Launch Alliance](/org/united-launch-alliance). Debra previously served as senior vice president, contracts, security & supplier management at [Engility Corporation](/org/engility-corporation) from January 2016 to December 2019. In this role, they reported to the CEO and served as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team responsible for government contracting business operations including all contracting and procurement, security, regulatory compliance and government property. Scheider also served as a key member of the senior leadership team during the [SAIC](/org/saic) acquisition of Engility.

Scheider has also held the position of past president, board of directors at the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) and CEO at SHD Consulting LLC from January 2019 to December 2019. Additionally, they have served on the board of directors for the Procurement Round Table.

Debra Scheider began their educational career at [American University](/org/american-university), where they earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science in Business. Debra continued their studies at the [University of Maryland](/org/university-of-maryland), earning a Master of Public Administration in Public Sector Finance and Acquisition. Debra then earned an MBA from [Virginia Tech](/org/virginia-tech). Debra is also a certified CPCM from the National Contract Management Association.



Debra Scheider

Robbie Sabathier is the vice president of Government Operations and Communications for [United Launch Alliance](/org/united-launch-alliance) (ULA) headquartered in Centennial, Colorado. In this role, she is responsible for leading ULA’s interaction with key decision makers and stakeholders in Washington, D.C. and shaping critical policies and decisions related to ULA’s business.

Sabathier brings 15 years of broad-based commercial and civil launch experience from her work with the European commercial launch company Arianespace, and space shuttle contractor United Space Alliance. In addition, she co-founded a startup telecommunication company specializing in designing, deploying and operating low-cost, high-speed internet networks to serve rural communities.

Sabathier holds a bachelor’s degree in international business from [San Diego State University](/org/san-diego-state-university) and a Juris Doctorate from American University Washington College of Law.

Robbie Sabathier

Chris Ellerhorst is the vice president of Strategy, Business Development and Sales at [United Launch Alliance](/org/united-launch-alliance) (ULA). In this role, he leads a team responsible for ULA’s strategic planning, competitive intelligence, capture and proposal activities, and strategic marketing and sales to drive new business, sustainable proitability and long-term competitive positioning of ULA for future launch services. Ellerhorst joined ULA in 2016 as lead of the Strategy group, supporting the capture of more than $850M in new orders and managing ULA’s Strategic Advisory Group of senior industry consultants.

Ellerhorst joined ULA from Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company (LMSSC) where he spent 10 years in various positions, culminating in the Strategic Development and Advanced Programs organization supporting the development of the LMSSC long-range strategic plan, leading new business venture/program campaigns focused on creating new revenue streams, and supporting enterprise Merger and Acquisition portfolio activity. Additionally, he was the competitive intelligence leader for LMSSC’s Military Space and Civil Space lines of business and developed a strong understanding of the global launch market as a core member of the LMSSC Strategic Review team on ULA. Ellerhorst began his career at LMSSC as a systems engineer working on the NASA ORION and GPS III programs. He is a graduate of LM’s Leadership Development program.

Ellerhorst holds a Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Colorado at Boulder and holds both a Masters of Systems Engineering and Masters of Business Administration from the [University of Denver](/org/university-of-denver).

Christopher J. Ellerhorst

Dan Caughran is the vice president of Production Operations and Supply Chain for [United Launch Alliance](/org/united-launch-alliance) (ULA). He leads a team of more than 1,000 employees at ULA’s production facilities in Decatur, Ala., and Harlingen, Texas, as well as all the supply chain organization.

Previously Caughran served as vice president of Defense Operations for [Spirit AeroSystems](/org/spirit-aerosystems). There he led Spirit’s defense programs from the engineering and manufacturing development phases to reliable and efficient recurring production. During his time at Spirit, he held numerous roles including vice president of Global Quality, vice president of Quality and Manufacturing Services, and vice president and general manager of Spirit UK in Scotland.

Prior at ULA, Caughran served as the vice president of Production Operations and as the site lead and general manager for ULA’s Decatur facility. He also led productionconsolidation activities following the formation of ULA in 2006, including moving Atlas launch vehicle production from Denver and San Diego to Decatur.

Caughran began his career in 1981 as a missile mechanic at Martin Marietta Astronautics in Denver. From 1982 and throughout his time with Martin Marietta, [Lockheed Martin](/org/lockheed-martin) and ULA he held various production leadership roles on programs such as Peace-Keeper, Transfer Orbit Stage, Titan, Atlas and Delta launch vehicles.

From 1995 to 1997, Caughran was one of the primary production leaders in the transition and integration of General Dynamics Space Systems (Atlas and Titan Centaur programs) into [Lockheed Martin](/org/lockheed-martin). This included moving final assembly and test of the Atlas and Titan Centaur programs from San Diego to [Lockheed Martin](/org/lockheed-martin) in Denver.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from [Regis University](/org/regis-university).

Dan Caughran

Steve Furuto is the vice president of Finance and Strategic Partnerships for [United Launch Alliance](/org/united-launch-alliance) (ULA). In this role, Furuto is responsible for developing, managing and providing people, processes and tools for the company’s acquisition strategies, financial execution and delivering on ULA’s financial commitments. He also partners with ULA's Supply Chain organization to develop strategic initiatives and approaches with major subcontractors, leads all major contract negotiations and ensures cost and schedule execution. Prior to this assignment, Furuto served as the director of Central Finance.

Previously, Furuto was the director of Subcontracts Management and Procurement (SM&P) for ULA. In the SM&P role, Furuto drove strategic supplier partnerships and initiatives that resulted in achieving substantial ULA cost savings. Prior to this, he successfully coordinated the NSS Phase 1 estimating, contracting and negotiation activities culminating in the settlement of a block buy contract with the United States Air Force that secured work for ULA through fiscal year (FY) 2019. Prior to this appointment, Furuto served as a finance manager responsible for Delta II, Delta IV and Atlas V launch service contracts.

Furuto began his career at [Lockheed Martin](/org/lockheed-martin) in 1995 where he progressed through a series of increasingly responsible positions in finance, accounting and business. In 2005, he was a critical team member who participated in the due diligence leading to the formation of ULA. In 2003-2004, Furuto supported high visibility financial evaluations for Atlas strategic planning alternatives. In 2000-2003, he led the Financial Planning and Analysis activities for the Space Systems division. Prior to 2000, Furuto worked in a variety of accounting and business functions for [Lockheed Martin](/org/lockheed-martin) Missiles & Space in Sunnyvale, California.

Furuto earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from [Santa Clara University](/org/santa-clara-university).

Steve Furuto

Christopher Wolter is chief  financial officer (CFO) for United Launch Alliance (ULA). In this position, Wolter provides leadership to ULA’s  finance organization and oversees all  fiscal and fiduciary responsibilities.

Prior to joining ULA, Wolter served as the assistant controller and vice president for The Boeing Company, where he led the teams that execute Boeing’s Corporate Finance Services, Actuarial Services, Organization Optimization, and Enterprise Risk Management.Previously, Wolter served as vice president of Tax, where he led the team that executes Boeing’s global tax strategy including all aspects of global taxes, including legislative matters, planning, controversy, compliance and financial reporting.

Previously, Wolter held the position of senior manager of Tax Consulting at Ernst & Young LLP. During his time at E&Y, Wolter worked with large corporate clients including consumer products and industrial products companies, private equity firms and entrepreneurial companies. Wolter worked in the company’s o ices in Michigan and Illinois and participated in a rotation with the National Tax department.

Wolter is a certified public accountant and holds a bachelor of business administration majoring in accounting from Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan.

Christopher Wolter

Andrew Blackmon is the chief information officer for [United Launch Alliance](/org/united-launch-alliance) (ULA) and joined the company in April 2021. In this role, Blackmon leads the development and implementation of strategy and operational delivery for all Information Technology and E*PLM infrastructure, with an emphasis on enablement of key business transformational initiatives.

Blackmon is a senior IT leader with more than 20 years of industry experience across several industries including Aerospace & Defense, Healthcare, Biotech and Technology.

Prior to joining ULA, he served as director IT Infrastructure & Operations at Ball Aerospace and was responsible for all classified and unclassified IT infrastructure nationwide.

Blackmon has held several network and telecommunications engineering positions throughout his career before being promoted into his first leadership role at Children’s Hospital Colorado. He ultimately served as chief technology officer at Children’s Hospital Colorado and was responsible for the IT infrastructure and business applications across the organization.

Blackmon is a Colorado native who grew up in Boulder and later attended [Colorado State University](/org/colorado-state-university) where he earned his Bachelor of Science in business administration with an emphasis in computer information systems.

Andrew Blackmon

Robert Lightfoot

Sondra Barbour

Salvatore T. Tory Bruno is the current President & Chief Executive Officer at [United Launch Alliance](/org/united-launch-alliance). Salvatore has been in this role since 2014. Prior to that, they were with [Lockheed Martin](/org/lockheed-martin) for 30 years, where they held various positions, including VP & GM, Strategic & Missile Defense Systems.

Some direct reports include Steve Furuto - VP, Finance and Strategic Partnerships, Christopher Deel - Vice President, Engineering and Advanced Programs, and Dan Caughran - Vice President, Production Operations and Supply Chain.

Salvatore T. Tory Bruno

John Elbon

Liane J. George

Mark Peller

James H. Chilton

Mitch Van Dewerker

Michael Dweck

Rik Geiersbach is vice president, Strategy, for Defense, Space & Security (BDS), responsible for the alignment and integration of the BDS strategy across the Boeing enterprise. In this role, he works directly with the BDS president and the vice president of Enterprise Strategy to help shape the future direction of the business.

Geiersbach joined Boeing as vice president, Corporate Strategy, in 2008. In that role, he was responsible for analyzing and developing plans to drive the company’s growth and nurture new businesses. In collaboration with both the Commercial Airplanes and Defense business units, Geiersbach worked to develop competitive strategies and key growth initiatives while overseeing the Corporate Strategy oice.

United Launch Alliance

Org chart

Teams

Leadership Team

Board of Directors

CEO and Executive Team

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