Ron Lopez
President & Managing Director
Ron joined Astroscale as Managing Director in April 2019 to lead the company’s business operations in the United States.
Ron brings over 25 years of government and industry experience, encompassing systems engineering, program management, sales and marketing, technology/research and development management, and strategy formulation.
Ron started his career as an Intelligence Officer in the United States Air Force, serving as the focal point for Space Situational Awareness capability development at Air Force Space Command’s Space Control Division. He then joined Boeing and worked on various programs as a Systems Engineering Manager within Boeing Research & Technology and Phantom Works and led business development activities for the Network & Space Systems division throughout the Asia Pacific region. Prior to joining Astroscale, Ron led the Defense & Space Asia Pacific sales team at Honeywell Aerospace, helping the company achieve significant sales growth and expansion into new markets.
Over half of Ron’s career has been spent working and living in Japan, and he is an active member of The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation’s U.S.-Japan Space Forum. In 2022, Ron was selected by Vice President Kamala Harris' office to be a member of the National Space Council's Users' Advisory Group (UAG).
Ron earned a Bachelor of Science degree from The United States Air Force Academy in 1993.
Dr. Clare Martin
Executive Vice President
Dr. Martin joined Astroscale U.S. in August 2019 as Executive Vice President. She brings many years of experience in space technology management, operations, and engineering to support the foundation and growth of Astroscale U.S.
Dr. Martin previously held the position of the Director, Orbital Solutions at General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS). She was responsible for the management and technical performance of the engineering staff and delivery of projects, including planning and managing technical and programmatic solutions to ensure quality, business, and financial objectives were met.
Prior to joining GA-EMS, Dr. Martin was the Chief Operating Officer at Surrey Satellite Technology US, where she led the Surrey project management and engineering teams. As a member of the Surrey Satellite US Executive Team, Dr. Martin managed the bidding, negotiation, and execution of projects, and was responsible for ensuring the company’s cost-effective methods were appropriately applied to the execution of programs.
Dr. Martin transferred to Surrey Satellite US from Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. in the United Kingdom, where she held several positions including the Head of Telecommunications and Navigation business unit, encompassing the Galileo payload programme. Prior to Surrey, Dr. Martin was a Project Manager and Scientist at QinetiQ.
Dr. Martin earned a Master of Science in astrophysics and a Doctorate in mathematics and computational sciences from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. She loves to explore and adventure the mountains in Colorado.
Becky Yoder
Senior Vice President Finance and Business Operations
Becky joined Astroscale U.S. in June 2020 as SVP of Finance and Business Operations. She brings over 25 years of finance, operations, and business management expertise to the Astroscale team.
Before joining Astroscale, Becky held the position of Director of Operations, Orbital Technologies at General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS). She was responsible for the development and management of operational plans, budgets, and schedules to ensure business and financial objectives were met.
Previously, Becky was the chief executive officer of Surrey Satellite Technology US LLC, the U.S. subsidiary of world-leading small satellite manufacturer Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) in the United Kingdom. As CEO, she led the company in the cultivation of the rapidly growing U.S. market for cost-effective small satellite systems, applications, and services. As CEO, Becky directed the company’s strategic development and operational activities. In a dual role, Becky continued to serve as the chief financial officer and was responsible for all aspects of the company’s financial management. She successfully led the sale of the company to General Atomics in November 2017.
Prior to joining Surrey in 2008 as its first U.S. employee, Becky worked as a consultant CFO across several different industries. She also worked for six years at Arthur Andersen LLP.
Becky earned her Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Metropolitan State University in Denver and is a Certified Public Accountant. She enjoys mountain biking and has been a competitive cross fit athlete for the last 12 years.
Jack Deasy
Vice President, Business Development and Advanced Systems
Jack joined Astroscale in December 2022 as the Vice President of Business Development and Advanced Systems. He has 25 years of experience in commercial business development and government relations.
Jack was previously VP of Government Product Management at SES, leading the strategy, development and positioning of SES Networks’ products, services and solutions for governments and humanitarian response organizations.
From 2003 – 2013, he was at Inmarsat leading business development activities for public safety/disaster response and aeronautical and UAV programs.
Charity Weeden
Vice President, Global Space Policy and Government Relations
Charity joined Astroscale U.S. in July 2019 as the VP of Global Space Policy and Government Relations. She coordinates and synchronizes Astroscale’s global policy efforts towards spaceflight safety to achieve long-term space sustainability.
Charity brings a rich experience in aerospace operations, advocacy, and diplomacy. She is a 23-year veteran of the Royal Canadian Air Force, was previously Senior Director of Policy at the Satellite Industry Association, and formed a consulting business to support the space industry.
Charity is a fellow of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, on the advisory board of Via Satellite, a mentor for the Brooke Owens Fellowship, and a former Chair of the Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee.
Charity received her Bachelor of Engineering in mechanical engineering from the Royal Military College of Canada and a Master of Science in space science from the University of North Dakota. She is an alumnus of the International Space University Summer Session Program.
Dave Hebert
Vice President, Global Marketing & Communications
Dave joined Astroscale U.S. in March 2020 and is responsible for Astroscale’s global brand, messaging, content, and audience experience.
Dave came to Astroscale from The Aerospace Corporation, where he served as a Senior Communications Strategist, leading communications for space policy, and civil and commercial space systems.
Prior to joining Aerospace, Dave was a Communications Manager at The MITRE Corporation. There he helped create the company’s commercial space strategy, supported the CEO’s communications and media engagement, and helped manage the company’s rebranding strategy.
Before MITRE, Dave was a Communications Manager at the U.S. Geological Survey where he led executive and employee engagement, congressional affairs, web and social media, and other functions.
Dave is a Co-Chair of the CONFERS Communications Working Group, a Senior Fellow at the Partnership for Public Service, and a former two-time Co-Chair of the Federal Communicators Network. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in advertising from the University of Nebraska and a Master of Arts in journalism from the University of Missouri. He is happily married, has boy-girl twins, and enjoys great stories, basketball, swimming, and, for some strange reason, yard work.