Mr. Burgess is vice president and general manager of the Space Systems Division at General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS). Mr. Burgess is responsible for the operational execution and growth management of an expanding portfolio of miniature, small and medium satellite system solutions, and high performance space optical payloads across GA-EMS facilities located in Colorado, Massachusetts, Virginia, Alabama and California. Mr. Burgess’ expertise in designing and delivering satellite programs and developing space technology innovations drives the company’s capabilities to deliver critical mission solutions for national security, science and weather missions, and laser communications.
Mr. Burgess joined GA-EMS after serving as chief technology officer at Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) Space Systems, and as vice president of Business Development at SNC’s ISR Aviation and Security Sector. Previously, he led the National Security Space division at the former Orbital Sciences Corporation, developing satellite and ground communication systems for the US Government, including GSSAP, ANGELS, EAGLE, MiTEx, and the CHIRP hosted payload.
Mr. Burgess holds an MS and BS in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is a graduate of the General Manager’s Program at Harvard Business School and is an associate fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). Mr. Burgess is a published author and holds a patent on “Method and System for Formation-Keeping Between Orbiting Spacecraft by Varying their Ballistic Coefficients.” He is a member of several boards, including Chairman of the Aerospace Engineering Sciences External Advisory Board at the University of Colorado Boulder.