Catherine Ferraro
Santa Maria,CA
Summary
Accomplished leader with extensive experience at Space Mission Sets. Expert in operations management and strategic planning, driving mission assurance and public safety. Proven track record in team leadership and effective communication, ensuring operational excellence and fostering strong relationships with stakeholders.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Mission Flight Control Officer
Space Launch Delta 30, Safety
01.2022 - Current
- Launch safety specialist with a proven track record supporting 70+ successful orbital and ballistic launches.
- Leads a team of ~25 safety professionals during all launch phases (T-minus to T-plus) and serves as the primary point of contact for reporting safety constraint violations and launch readiness to the Launch Decision Authority.
- Evaluates the vehicle’s real time performance against predefined mission rules and makes appropriate real-time flight termination decisions on behalf of the Delta Commander to ensure public safety.
- Defines operational requirements, constraints, and mission rules for launch/recovery operations on behalf of the safety office.
- Identifies the assets, data, and services required for launch/recovery operations.
Chief, Current Operations
United States Air Force Reserve
01.2025 - Current
- Traditional reservist serving as both the training flight commander and Chief, Current Operations commanding 24/7 operations crews in the Combined Space Operations Center (CSpOC).
- Oversees employment of missile detection, warning, and reporting systems ensuring global strategic and theater threat coverage.
- Leads real-time course of action development, force re-tasking, and recovery operations to maintain mission assurance in dynamic environments.
- Provides direct space expertise to theater commanders, U.S. allies, and interagency partners during crises and joint exercises.
Theater Watch Officer
United States Air Force Reserve
07.2020 - 01.2024
- Traditional Reservist serving part time at the Combined Space Operations Center (CSpOC) providing space effects to global customers, and maintaining oversight for the missile warning architecture.
Chief Operating Officer
LYT Yoga
02.2020 - 12.2021
- Responsible for day-to-day operations of LYT Yoga.
- Established and realized long term strategic goals of CEO and LYT Yoga.
- Created online environment for company employees and e-commerce for over 3K customers world wide.
- Led team of 8 personnel to oversee 600+ students, 3K+ clients, and $1M+ in annual gross revenue.
- Decision maker for all marketing, advertising, legal, personnel, and accounting functions of the LYT Yoga enterprise.
Chief of Standards and Evaluations
United States Air Force
12.2018 - 01.2020
- Led team of 7 responsible for evaluating and ensuring standards for 100+ Western Range operational personnel.
- Piloted Quality Assurance and Commanders Inspection Program across Operations Group and 4 squadrons.
- Lead member of Wing Inspection Team.
Flight Commander, Range Operations Commander
United States Air Force
02.2017 - 12.2018
- Dual Qualified Range Control Officer and Range Operations Commander, instructor and evaluator for Space Lift operations out of Vandenberg AFB, CA.
- Led Western Range in 7 rocket launches, $4.5B in operations, 75+ payloads delivered to space, and the InSight Rover delivered to Mars.
Space Operations Center Commander
United States Air Force
03.2014 - 02.2017
- Crew and Flight Commander of $24B DoD Owned Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS).
- Commanded team of 25 active duty, reservist, and foreign national personnel to ensure strategic and theater missile warning for U.S. President, forward deployed Americans and allies.
- Produced operational acceptance of Block 10 SBIRS upgrade for Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) community.
Education
Space 300
National Security Space Institute08-2025
Masters Degree - Military Operational Art And Science
Air University
Montgomery, AL08-2025
Squadron Officer School
Maxwell AFB, AL08.2018
Space 200
National Security Space Institute11.2017
Space Warfighters Preparation Course
National Security Space Institute11.2016
Advanced OPIR Course
National Security Space Institute05.2016
Officer Undergraduate Space Training
Vandenberg AFB, CA08.2014
Bachelor of Science - Air Traffic Management, Magna Cum Laude
Daniel Webster College
Nashua, NH05.2013
Skills
- Team leadership
- Operations management and execution
- Strategic planning
- Project management
- Effective business plan execution
- Customer interaction
- Business development
- Verbal and written communication
- Relationship Management
Timeline
Chief, Current Operations
United States Air Force Reserve
01.2025 - Current
Mission Flight Control Officer
Space Launch Delta 30, Safety
01.2022 - Current
Theater Watch Officer
United States Air Force Reserve
07.2020 - 01.2024
Chief Operating Officer
LYT Yoga
02.2020 - 12.2021
Chief of Standards and Evaluations
United States Air Force
12.2018 - 01.2020
Flight Commander, Range Operations Commander
United States Air Force
02.2017 - 12.2018
Space Operations Center Commander
United States Air Force
03.2014 - 02.2017
Space 300
Masters Degree - Military Operational Art And Science
Air University
Squadron Officer School
Space 200
Space Warfighters Preparation Course
Advanced OPIR Course
Officer Undergraduate Space Training
Bachelor of Science - Air Traffic Management, Magna Cum Laude
Daniel Webster College