Skip to main content

The SpaceLink team is composed of top engineers and executives with many years of industry success

David Bettinger

Chief Executive Officer

David Bettinger

A business and technology visionary, Dave has 30 years’ experience in innovative satellite communications. His expertise includes digitally regenerative satellite payloads, optical intersatellite links, electronically steered phased array antennas, and network architectures. Previously VP of Comms Systems & Development at OneWeb and CTO at iDirect, David’s career began at Hughes Network Systems. With BS and MS degrees in Electrical Engineering from Virginia Tech, he has authored more than 50 technical papers and holds seven satellite communications patents.

Anthony J. (Tony) Colucci

Chief Strategy and Commercial Officer

Anthony J. (Tony) Colucci

Tony is a global business strategy executive with more than 30 years’ experience in satellites and space. He identified the opportunity and led the acquisition of the business that became the basis for SpaceLink. He held key leadership roles in two international satellite start-ups. Previous roles included VP of Business Development at Space Systems Loral and Deputy Chair of KACOMM, responsible for Loral’s equity investment, plus senior posts at Hughes and Rockwell International. Tony has a BS in Astrophysics from the University of New Mexico, and an MBA from Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Rabindra (Rob) Singh

Chief Technology Officer

Rabindra (Rob) Singh

Rob provides executive leadership in implementing SpaceLink’s technology strategy and vision. He leads a multi-disciplined team with expertise in leveraging innovation for the development and implementation of an end-to-end space communications system. Rob was previously VP of Strategy Initiatives and Chief Architect at Maxar Technologies, where he developed business strategy and technology roadmaps for disruptive solutions. He holds engineering degrees from the University of Waterloo, Canada and a Corporate Innovation Certificate from Stanford University Graduate School.

Larry Rubin

Chief Operating Officer

Larry Rubin

Larry is a highly experienced program management and operations executive with more than 35 years in the space industry. Key roles include delivering innovative spacecraft systems at Space Systems Loral and directing Commercial Systems Engineering at Hughes, now part of Boeing. Larry has a BS in Physics from the University of Michigan and completed the Management Development Program at UCLA Anderson. He was awarded a NASA Exceptional Public Service Medal for leading the Galileo Probe systems engineering team.

David Lihani

General Counsel

David Lihani

David brings over 25 years of space experience with a focus on corporate governance, commercial transactions, trade compliance, risk management, and national security. His career includes roles at Astrolabe, Maxar, and Virgin Galactic and he was outside counsel to the UAE Space Agency. He also worked at SES, Lockheed Martin, and SAIC and law firms in NY and DC. He began his career as a flight officer in the U.S. Navy and earned a BS from the U.S. Naval Academy. He holds an MA from University of Maryland, and a law degree from George Washington University.

David Nemeth

Senior Vice President of Systems Engineering

David Nemeth

David Nemeth is expert at developing and modeling systems architectures for satellite communications. Before joining SpaceLink he was Senior Director of System Modeling at OneWeb and he was VP of Ground Systems Architecture at iDirect. He has a Bachelor’s degree in physics from Cornell University and a Masters degree in physics from UC, Berkeley. He holds three patents related to secure communications, MEMS, and VSAT communications.

Wendy Newman

Vice President, Marketing & Communications

Wendy Newman

Wendy is a marketing and communications professional with over 15 years of experience in satellites and space. Before joining SpaceLink she provided marcom services to SpaceLink and other tech companies as the principal of Strategic Voice, a PR firm she founded in 2019. She was Senior Director of Communications at SSL, now a business unit of Maxar, for 12 years and simultaneously directed corporate communications and investor relations for Loral Space & Communications. Based in California, she is a graduate of Rutgers University.

Craig Moll

Vice President of Commercial Business Development

Craig Moll

Craig Moll helps spacecraft operators maximize the use of their assets with the SpaceLink relay system. Before joining SpaceLink he was at PATHFINDER Space Advisors, which helps emerging space companies enter new markets. Previously he was VP of Sales & Marketing at Space Systems Loral and he was MD of PanAmSat Europe. Earlier he was a telecom policy specialist at NTIA. Craig holds a BA from Texas State University, and an MA from the University of Texas.

Jim Schwenke

Vice President of Intelligence Community

Jim Schwenke

Jim Schwenke brings many years of experience working closely with senior leadership in the Defense and Intelligence communities. He has held positions at BAE Systems, Leidos and Northrop Grumman. Jim began his career in the U.S. Air Force and completed his military career as Lt Colonel supporting the Office of Assistant Secretary of Defense where he was Deputy and Acting Director for Space Policy. He has a BSEE from Cal State Fresno and an MS in Systems Management from USC.

Robert J. Conrad

Vice President, NASA and Civil Space

Robert J. Conrad

Robert has a passion for new business capture and proposal development and has supported dozens of satellite missions with NASA, NOAA, NSF and JPL on behalf of technology-based government contractors. He has deep domain knowledge of TDRSS and experience working with the NASA Space Communications Network and Satellite Ground Network. He spent 17 years at LJT & Associates, where he was President and CEO. Robert is a patent holder and has an MSEE from Johns Hopkins and a BSEE from Capitol College.

Lenny Low

Vice President of Space Segment

Lenny Low

With eight patents to his name, Lenny Low is an expert in spacecraft platform architectures. He spent 27 years at Maxar where he was responsible for business strategy and development of LEO, MEO and GEO platform solutions. As Executive Director of the Spacecraft Platform Operations Directorate, he managed an organization of 600 engineers and technicians. He also worked at both Lockheed and TRW. He has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from UC Berkeley, and an MS in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford.

Tom Leisgang

Vice President of Ground Segment

Tom Leisgang

Tom Leisgang is a multi-disciplinary expert who brings unique perspectives to satellite and space missions. Before joining SpaceLink he was Technical Director for Ground Systems Mission Engineering & Operations at Maxar. He was Ground Segment Manager for the satellite segment of Australia’s national broadband network and established satellite control infrastructure for the satellites. He began his career managing a satellite test facility at Lockheed Martin.

Erik Levine

Vice President of Space Segment Program Management

Erik Levine

Erik Levine has nearly 30 years’ experience in the aerospace industry and has been involved with the successful build, launch, and test of over 40 spacecraft. At Space Systems Loral, he held positions in spacecraft systems engineering, launch vehicle mission management, advanced systems engineering, and program management. He was Exec. Director of Program Management for government programs before leaving to join robotics company, Intuitive. He has two patents and earned a BS in Applied Mechanics from UC San Diego and an MSME from Santa Clara University.

David Patillo

Vice President of Regulatory Affairs

David Patillo

David Pattillo oversees SpaceLink’s regulatory and spectrum management and leads coordination with the ITU, FCC and other regulatory bodies. Before joining SpaceLink he worked with SpaceX to manage international and domestic coordination of its StarLink constellation of more than 4,000 NGSO satellites, and he spent more than 20 years at DIRECTV where he was Director of the Space & Communications Group. He holds a BS in Electrical Engineering.

Phillip J. Robinson

Vice President, Chief Security Officer

Phillip J. Robinson

Phil is responsible for SpaceLink’s tactical and strategic security operations and has served in leadership and technical roles throughout his 30-year career. He is a retired U.S. Army Special Forces veteran with deep experience in protection of sensitive technologies and classified information, counterintelligence operations, and information systems. He has been recognized by the DoD for administering exceptional security, risk, and technology protection programs. He holds a graduate degree in Security Management from Webster University and a BS from Campbell University.