Leadership

Our leadership team combines passion with experience to build a unique company unlike any other. Learn more about each of these experts.

Joseph Horvath - Nova Space

CEO & President

Joseph Horvath

Joseph has two decades of experience in space and astronautics with an extensive network across industry and DoD. While serving as a Marine Corps officer, he was the Service’s Senior Space Operations Officer, leading professional development, training, education, policy and exercise design. His educational background includes a BS in Astrophysics and MS in Space Systems Operations, as well as being a former DARPA Fellow. His work has been published in multiple journals including “A Hybrid Routing Protocol for Space Based Networks”, “Space Operations for the Warfighter” and “The Marine Space Support Team Concept”. Joseph brings to his role extensive leadership and management experience with a focus on agile practices and developing successful teams.

COO

Christopher Allen

Sought after speaker and performance consultant, specializing in digital education, authoring technology, instructional design, and agile development. Christopher has more than 15 years of experience in software marketing and engineering management ranging from digital marketing to enterprise grade cloud-based subscription services.

Christopher Allen (COO) - Nova Space
Perry Waters Revised Profile Image - Nova Space

Chief of Staff & Vice President of Operations

Perry Waters

Retired Marine Infantry Officer, adding 23 years of operations, corporate sales, and training experience through multiple positions within the Department of Defense and the private sector. He earned a designation as a Space Operations Staff Officer and is a graduate of the National Space Security Institute’s Space-200 and Space-300. Perry was an integral contributor to the U.S. Space Force initial policy and doctrine documents. He is a graduate of Texas State University and earned a Master’s in International Relations from New England College.

Vice President of Product Development

Jeff Womelsdorf

Jeff Womelsdorf has 10 years of experience in the defense and space industry. During his time on active duty in the Marine Corps, Jeff served as the service liaison to the National Security Space Institute where he both instructed in and managed the United States Space Force’s professional development courses. Before he was an instructor and course manager, Jeff served as a communications officer where he employed a variety of space systems in support of military operations. Jeff is a graduate of the University of Utah.

Jeff Womelsdorf Profile Picture (revised) - Nova Space
Jackie Timmins Profile Picture (revised) - Nova Space

Director of Workforce Development

Jackie Timmins

Miguel has 24 years of experience in the defense and aerospace industry, where he spearheaded the creation of the first group of Marine Corps Space Forces and developed a Concept of Operations for the planning and tasking of an Air Force Constellation to support the equities of multiple federal agencies. He is a Space Operations Expert, Airplane and Helicopter Pilot, and Adjunct Physics Instructor, having served in the U.S. Marine Corps and worked in the Federal Defense and Civilian Space Sectors. Miguel is a lifelong learner who brings unparalleled work ethic and ambition to the Nova Space Inc team where he works hard to contribute to humanity’s mastery of outer space.

Director of Business Development

Richard D. Hodge

Richard D. Hodge is a highly accomplished executive in the emerging technology sector, boasting a wealth of experience spanning more than two decades in enterprise software sales and business development. A proud graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, Rich has steered the sales initiatives for SpaceCom and Space Mobility over the past six years, cultivating an extensive network within the space community. His professional journey is marked by a series of notable accomplishments, showcasing an outstanding talent for propelling revenue growth and forging impactful relationships across the commercial space community, the US Space Force, and NASA.

Richard D. Hodge Profile Picture - Nova Space
Robert Zielinski Profile Image - Nova Space

Director of Customer Solutions

Robert Zielinski

Robert is a dynamic professional excelling in learning design and sales leadership. Armed with a Master’s Degree focused on pioneering an innovative learning program for engineers, he has spearheaded transformative initiatives across education, commercial, and governmental sectors. As a trusted advisor, speaker, author, and consultant, Robert’s competency-driven approach has empowered organizations to optimize workforce development. His strategic blend of innovation, sales acumen, and unwavering dedication to organizational success consistently delivers impactful results and fosters enduring partnerships.

Course Design Experts

Our signature Space Professionals Course has been developed by the best learning and subject matter experts to certify high performing, confident and competent professionals. Learn more about each of these specialists.

Dr. Angela Crews

Dr. Angela Crews has 20+ years of experience supporting DoD, academia, NASA, and commercial space. She received a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD in 2004. Dr. Crews received dual M.S. degrees in Aeronautical engineering and Astronautical engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology, Dayton, OH in 2012. In 2019, she received a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA. Dr. Crews’ military experience includes serving as Naval Flight Officer and Space Operations Officer in the Marine Corps.

Miguel Alvarez

Miguel has 24 years of experience in the defense and aerospace industry, where he spearheaded the creation of the first group of Marine Corps Space Forces and developed a Concept of Operations for the planning and tasking of an Air Force Constellation to support the equities of multiple federal agencies. He is a Space Operations Expert, Airplane and Helicopter Pilot, and Adjunct Physics Instructor, having served in the U.S. Marine Corps and worked in the Federal Defense and Civilian Space Sectors. Miguel is a lifelong learner who brings unparalleled work ethic and ambition to the Nova Space Inc team where he works hard to contribute to humanity’s mastery of outer space.

Richard Tackett

Richard Tackett is a Systems Engineer and Technical Specialist with over twenty-two years’ experience in military communications systems, research and development and space systems operations. He received a B.S in Computer Science from The Citadel in 2005 and an M.S. in Space Systems Operations from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2012. Currently, he is supporting government agencies with modeling and simulation and predictive analytics as they explore forward looking satellite architectures in an effort to meet the coming challenges.

Course Design Experts

Get In Touch

Interested in speaking to one of our space operations experts? Reach out and our team will be happy to answer your questions.