Space Systems Loral, a provider of innovative satellites and spacecraft systems, announced this week it is increasing its commitment to support U.S. government missions with key executives who bring a depth of experience to the company.
Under the direction of Richard White who was promoted to president of SSL Government Systems,
“I am extremely pleased to make these additions to the management team,” said Howard L. Lance, president and CEO of SSL MDA Holdings, Inc. “Collectively, these appointments heighten our ability to pursue and serve our growing base of U.S. government programs and customers.”
Richard White, president
White, who joined SSL in October 2016 as senior vice president of government systems, will continue focus on growth in the U.S. government business as well as developing robust solutions across all U.S. government agencies, and will work closely with operations across the company. White was previously CEO at Capstone Corp., a privately held services provider to the U.S. government. Before that, he served in senior management roles at Harris Corp. from 1982 to 2013, and has been working with the U.S. government for over 30 years to provide advanced mission critical solutions.
White is a graduate of the University of Toledo with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. He earned a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University and an MBA from the Florida Institute of Technology. He resides in Reston, Virginia, and is based at the SSL Government Systems office in Northern Virginia.
Robert Zitz, SVP and chief strategy officer
Zitz served the U.S. government for more than 30 years and made key contributions to improve the processes and outcomes for national security and intelligence missions. He started his career as a U.S. Army civilian intelligence officer supporting counterterrorism operations.
Zitz went on to hold a number of senior executive leadership positions with the Army, the CIA, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Secret Service and the National Reconnaissance Office. He demonstrated expertise and leadership in intelligence analysis, modeling and simulations, architecture analysis, strategy, budget, research and development, cybersecurity and infrastructure protection.
Upon retiring from government service in 2011, Zitz joined the executive ranks of SAIC (later Leidos) where he served as chief systems architect and corporate strategic account executive, focused on growing the company’s intelligence community market. Zitz holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from George Mason University and was a senior executive fellow at Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government.
Tim Gillespie, VP, business development for National Programs
Gillespie is a seasoned industry professional who will be responsible for growing business across the defense and intelligence agencies of the U.S. government. Since 2013, he was vice president, Transformational Programs and national security for Engility, where he led business development pursuits across the numerous defense and intelligence agencies.
Prior experience include seven years with Northrop Grumman in its Intelligence Systems division as an account director for its classified customers and as the director of Advanced Technology and Mission Programs. Gillespie also worked for 20 years with Lockheed Martin in progressively responsible positions within strategic planning and business development. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
