COMPANY INFO
The actual company name is Phase Four, Inc. It was founded in 2015 by J. Sheehan and Simon Halpern. The company has approximately 44 employees as of 2025. The official website is https://phasefour.io. Phase Four operates in the Aerospace and Defense industry, specializing in space technology and manufacturing. The company develops satellite propulsion systems designed to economically advance space missions, focusing on small, low-mass plasma propulsion systems with a patented magnetic nozzle to direct thrust. Their technology enables clients to reduce costs and maneuver satellites into various orbits including elliptical, geostationary, and polar orbits. The company is headquartered in Hawthorne, California, USA.
Phase Four is a Hawthorne, California-based aerospace company specializing in advanced satellite propulsion systems. The company develops small, low-mass plasma propulsion solutions with a patented magnetic nozzle, enabling more cost-effective and agile space missions for a diverse range of orbits.
The Phase Four leadership team brings together deep expertise from aerospace, defense, engineering, and business operations. Their collective experience combines advanced technical talent in propulsion and engineering with strategic innovation and operational excellence, helping to fuel Phase Four’s ongoing growth and establish its role as a leader in satellite propulsion technology. With a strong mix of industry veterans, engineers, and business innovators, the Phase Four executives drive company success and shape the future of in-space mobility.
As CEO, Steve Kiser leads Phase Four’s mission to deliver advanced space propulsion systems and drive successful expansion into VLEO, LEO, and cis-lunar markets. Under his guidance, the company has achieved exceptional performance, winning over $1.5 billion in Department of Defense contracts and earning a reputation for excellence in in-space propulsion systems. Steve Kiser has also played vital roles in mentoring startups and investing as an angel, further amplifying Phase Four’s standing in the industry.
Steve is a 20-year U.S. Air Force veteran with a distinguished career in the aerospace and defense sectors. He earned his PhD from the RAND School of Public Policy, and has held senior innovation roles across government and industry. Steve’s background includes time as General Partner at Veteran Ventures Capital, Founder and Director at KDS Insights, and senior management positions at Valiant Integrated Services and Cubic Global Defense. His expertise in strategic leadership, defense technology, and innovation directly informs his leadership at Phase Four.
Julián Gutiérrez Flores has served as CEO and Founder of Phase Four since June 2023, steering the company’s growth and global market presence from Madrid. Julián’s focus on business development and marketing has further established Phase Four as a significant player in the space propulsion sector, building strategic partnerships and advancing the brand’s reputation.
Julián holds a degree in Marketing y Publicidad from ILERNA FP Online (2019-2021), demonstrating solid expertise in business development and communications. With proficiency in English and elementary French, he is well-versed in digital marketing and advertising, bringing certifications such as the Curso Básico de Marketing Online from IAB to his role in growing Phase Four.
As Chief Operating Officer since October 2024, Mary Blomer-Santos oversees operations at Phase Four and has previously been a driving force in company finance. Her leadership in scaling operations, optimizing business processes, and ensuring financial stability has been instrumental in supporting the company’s expansion and enhancing cross-functional efficiencies.
Mary brings over three decades of experience from major aerospace firms, including Raytheon (Director of Finance, Space & Airborne Systems) and Boeing (Commercial Programs Business Manager). She holds an MBA in Finance and International Business from Loyola Marymount University and a Master’s in Systems Management from USC, embodying strong acumen in finance, management, and international business.
M Umair Siddiqui serves as both President and Chief Technology Officer, leading the technical vision and product innovation behind Phase Four’s propulsion systems. He directs key research, fosters product development, and is credited for holding several core patents that underpin the company’s unique propulsion technology.
Umair is a plasma physicist and nuclear engineering specialist, with a PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Since joining Phase Four in 2016 as COO and later advancing to President, he has led significant R&D initiatives, including extensive postdoctoral research at West Virginia University. His robust academic and professional background has anchored Phase Four’s leadership in propulsion technology.
As Director of Engineering since August 2024, Eric Huey leads the engineering teams at Phase Four responsible for enhancing in-space propulsion systems. His direction ensures excellence in engineering processes and product design, leveraging decades of experience to advance company capabilities.
Eric holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Florida International University. Previously, he managed electrical engineering teams at Lockheed Martin, served as Responsible Engineering Authority at Raytheon, and worked as a project test engineer at Raytheon. His academic research experience at Brookhaven National Laboratory further strengthens his technical leadership.
Mike Bolton has contributed to propulsion system design and testing at Phase Four as Senior Propulsion Engineer since March 2025. His mechanical engineering and energy conversion expertise directly support the company’s mission to advance next-generation propulsion technologies.
Mike holds an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Southern California and a B.S. from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. His prior roles in powertrain design at Czinger Vehicles and Divergent, along with academic roles in propulsion research, have sharpened his ability to innovate in satellite propulsion.
As Lead Software & Systems Engineer, Dillon Krasovec shapes the architecture and development of embedded software for Phase Four’s propulsion systems. Dillon’s critical work on system integration and flight software enables advanced capabilities for the company’s in-space offerings.
Dillon holds both MS and BS degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder. Before Phase Four, he built his career at Honeywell Aerospace and Ball Aerospace, specializing in flight software and automated test equipment for satellite missions.
The Phase Four management team is distinguished by a blend of operational excellence, deep technical mastery, and business innovation. The company’s structure reflects a commitment to cross-functional leadership, with founders, engineers, and business leaders collaborating closely to drive growth and commercial success. This robust executive team uniquely positions Phase Four to navigate the rapidly evolving aerospace industry and capitalize on market opportunities for advanced propulsion systems.
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