Sierra Space CEO Tom Vice talks to employees in front of the company’s Dream Chaser space plane on October 30, 2023 in Louisville, Colorado.
Helen H. Richardson | Helen H. Richardson The Denver Post | Getty Images
CNBC confirmed on Monday that Sierra Space CEO Tom Vice has left the company.
Vice retired on Dec. 31, Sierra Space said in a statement. Chairman Fatih Ozmen will serve as interim CEO and Eren Ozmen will serve as president.
A spokesperson for Sierra Space said in a statement: “Tom Vice has retired as CEO of Sierra Space at the end of 2024 after three and a half years in the role, and we thank him for his leadership and wish him well in his retirement. “
Sierra, which was spun off from aerospace contractor Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) in 2021, is one of the most valuable U.S. private companies in the emerging aerospace sector. Valued over $5 billion. But Sierra Aerospace has been working hard to launch the first mission of its reusable cargo spaceplane called Dream Chaser, which is crucial for the company to become a major player in the industry.
Vice was named CEO of Sierra Space in 2021, months after SNC owners Fatih and Eren Ozmen spun out the company from investors including General Atlantic, Coatue, BlackRock and AE Industrial Partners. Vice used to be CEO of Aerion Supersonica startup that planned to build high-speed business jets, closed in April 2021.
The first Dream Chaser aircraft was originally scheduled to debut in 2021. But even in 2024, the space plane named Tenacity isn’t ready yet as United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket launches it into space, Need to start.
Dream Chaser won a contract from NASA to fly seven cargo missions to and from the International Space Station. Sierra Space said Tenacity aims to launch no earlier than May.
The company continues to develop its Inflatable space station technologyas well as extending to products linear satellite bus After winning high profile Pentagon contract worth $740 million last year.
Sierra Space layoffs Vice’s tenure, as well as changes in a number of senior management positions. But in 2024, Vice has repeatedly talked about Sierra Space plans to go publicoutlining a tentative path to an IPO as early as late 2025.
