Thomas Ste. Marie
Melbourne,FL
Summary
Dynamic and experienced leader with strong motivational skills and an energizing presence leveraging 30+ years of government & industry knowledge to drive enterprise strategy, operational efficiency and mission success. Proven expert and natural communicator who excels in Space Operations, Launch and Range Operations, and the Global Positioning System. Multiple Degrees in Strategic Intelligence, Space Application & Management, support a true desire to solve problems, generate new ideas and lead people to mission success with positivity, dignity and respect.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Business Solutions Architect
RGNext, LLC
10.2021 - Current
- Designed and implemented business solutions to enhance operational efficiency across various departments across the $1.2B Launch & Test Range System Integrated Services Contract.
- Led the development of a next-generation, Artificial Intelligence-enabled scheduling tool for the Eastern & Western Ranges, reducing mission support requests from days and weeks to near-real-time.
- Collaborated with government & industry stakeholders to gather requirements and ensure alignment with strategic objectives.
- Analyzed existing business and operational processes, identifying areas for improvement and recommending effective solutions.
- Evaluated emerging technologies to determine their applicability to business needs and strategic goals.
- Mentored junior team members, providing guidance on best practices in solution architecture and design methodologies based on 30+ years of government experience.
Senior Field Representative to the Commander
United States Central Command
09.2019 - 09.2021
- Director of the National Reconnaissance Office's hand-selected representative to United States Central Command (USCENTCOM).
- Directed all aspects of national systems intelligence support for current and contingency operations as well as major joint and multi-national exercises.
- Advised the Commander and staff on development, integration and evacuation of national systems into and out of theater architectures.
- Oversaw the identification, training, deployment and operations of an elite cadre of Space professionals directly embedded into joint-force units within the USCENTCOM Area of Operations
- Identified emerging national space and combatant command requirements.
Vice Commander
45th Space Wing
06.2018 - 09.2019
- Second in command at one of only two Air Force launch wings.
- Led more than 13,000 military, Department of Defense civilian and contractor personnel.
- Responsible for processing, mission assurance, range operations and launch of government and commercial satellites from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
- Served as a Launch Decision Authority supporting on average 24 launches per year with final launch approval on the 15-million-square-mile Eastern Range.
Deputy Director, Office of Space Launch
National Reconnaissance Office
06.2017 - 06.2018
- Led a 700-member government and contractor team responsible for orchestrating booster acquisition, system integration, mission transport and processing with mission values exceeding $3 billion dollars.
- Provided direction, guidance and supervision over all matters pertaining to Director of National Intelligence space launch activities.
- Executed Mission Director authorities across three NRO launches providing critical intelligence capabilities to the whole of the Department of Defense and National Intelligence Agencies.
Deputy Commander
45th Operations Group
07.2014 - 07.2017
- Assisted the Group Commander in leading five diverse operations and support squadrons along with two detachments comprised of 1,100 officers, enlisted members, government civilians and contractors.
- Directed range operations & maintenance, weather, communications, operations support and remote tracking sites across the 15 million square mile Eastern Launch Range.
- Orchestrated space launch operations and manages activities at three diverse airfields.
- Certified Launch Operations Director—oversaw all aspects of range crew proficiency, safety and standards during launch.
- Operations Director for first Space X booster landing at LZ-1, Cape Canaveral AFS and for the first re-use mission of a previously flown first stage booster.
Commander
2nd Space Operations Squadron
07.2012 - 07.2014
- Commanded the 155-person satellite operations squadron flying the $3.6 billion dollar, 37-satellite Global Positioning System.
- Conducted 24/7 combat and civilian operations for over 3-billion users worldwide.
- Responsible for training, certification, crew for management, mission support and maintenance for all GPS operations.
- Led the $12 million dollar GPS User Operations Center, the Department of Defense's 911 for GPS supporting all 9 Combatant Commands and guaranteeing civil user accuracy.
- Stewarded the world’s largest military space system consisting over 50% of Air Force Satellites and described in 2011 by the International Astronautical Society as "the singular and successful project in the field of Space Applications, Space Science and Exploration with benefit to all of humanity."
Director of Operations
1st Range Operations Squadron
06.2011 - 07.2012
- Second in command of 61-member operations squadron conducting range operations for manned spaceflight, commercial and Department of Defense launches on the 15 million square mile Eastern Range.
- Directed all scheduling, configuration and command and control of countdown actions through flight and orbital insertion.
- Responsible for termination of off-course vehicles. Oversaw $53 million dollars in annual range reimbursables.
- Mission-ready crew member as a Range Operations Controller controlling instrumentation, ground, sea and airspace during countdown and launch and advising the Wing Commander and Launch Decision Authority on Go/No-Go status of range.
Executive Officer to the Deputy Chief of Staff
United States Air Force Staff
03.2010 - 06.2011
- Headquarters Air Force lead agent for space & cyber operations, sustainment planning programming training career management and policy.
- Manages directorate staff, budget, executive correspondence, schedules, personnel actions, evaluations and contracts.
- Oversees long and short-range planning schedules, temporary duties, military leave, performance reports, awards, and special actions.
- Interfaces with Congress, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff, the Combatant commands, Major Commands for program execution and operational planning.
Program Element Monitor
United States Air Force Staff
06.2008 - 06.2010
- Led a specialized branch within a selectively-manned Headquarters United States Air Force Staff division responsible for Air Force-wide space-based and terrestrial Space Situational Awareness operations, plans and requirements.
- Managed developed and advocated, built and defended a $1.6 billion dollar program through the Presidential Budget Cycle.
- Provided subject matter expertise on real-world and exercise Joint Staff space control contingency planning operations and integration
Education
Strategic Intelligence
National Intelligence University
Washington, DC06-2008
Aerospace Studies
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
Daytona Beach, FL06-2006
Bachelor of Science - Management & Leadership
United States Air Force Academy
Colorado Springs, CO05-1996
Top Secret/SCI Clearance
SSBI/16 Oct 18 - CI Polygraph 28 Mar 05Skills
Leadership and Team Building
Enterprise Strategy, Design, and Architectures
Global Positioning System Segments
Weapon System Concept Development
Senior Executive Staff Support
Program Management
Academic Training, Courseware Development
Satellite Command and Control Operations
Space Launch and Range Operations
Planning, Programming, Budgeting & Execution
Timeline
Business Solutions Architect
RGNext, LLC
10.2021 - Current
Senior Field Representative to the Commander
United States Central Command
09.2019 - 09.2021
Vice Commander
45th Space Wing
06.2018 - 09.2019
Deputy Director, Office of Space Launch
National Reconnaissance Office
06.2017 - 06.2018
Deputy Commander
45th Operations Group
07.2014 - 07.2017
Commander
2nd Space Operations Squadron
07.2012 - 07.2014
Director of Operations
1st Range Operations Squadron
06.2011 - 07.2012
Executive Officer to the Deputy Chief of Staff
United States Air Force Staff
03.2010 - 06.2011
Program Element Monitor
United States Air Force Staff
06.2008 - 06.2010
Strategic Intelligence
National Intelligence University
Aerospace Studies
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
Bachelor of Science - Management & Leadership
United States Air Force Academy
Top Secret/SCI Clearance
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