Top Space Execs to Watch in 2025

Bill “BK” Kelley

Vice President & Division Manager, Air Force and Space Division, ManTech

Bill “BK” Kelley’s Human Space Flight team continues to provide Defense Department support to NASA for nominal and contingency support on human space flight programs.

This means that Kelley and his team prepare to rescue astronauts anywhere around the world. Last year, they prepared for the return of Boeing’s Crew Test Flight on Starliner and stood up for the ultimate return of the astronauts on SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission on March 18, 2025.

Why Watch

In 2025, Kelley’s space team is heavily focused on helping the U.S. Space Force deploy new satellite constellations for global communications, missile tracking and surveillance. They will continue to provide systems engineering and integration work for National Security Space Launch. Kelley and his team also remain committed to providing solutions in cyber, digital transformation, data and artificial intelligence that drive efficiencies and cost savings.

“ManTech is uniquely positioned to help the United States of America with space challenges,” Kelley said. “We are committed to the mission from both a science and national defense perspective. and to helping solve the toughest challenges.”

Fun fact: Kelley believes in giving back to the client communities where ManTech does business, so he currently sits on two non-profit boards that serve the greater U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force.