Full Circle: An Engineer's Journey from Aerospace to Space Commercialization
- newyorkscot
- Jan 1
- 2 min read
🚀 Life's most meaningful paths aren't linear—they're orbital.
During a recent visit to my family's house in Scotland, I discovered my University of Glasgow aerospace engineering notes and Rolls-Royce training manuals in the attic.
Though their pages have yellowed with time, they still contain the engineering concepts, complex equations, and technical drawings that launched my career.
Among these treasures, I also found my high school physics project—an anemometer I designed to assess wind power's economic viability for our school facilities—and a research paper I co-authored for the European Helicopter Forum during my fourth year at university.
Lessons Across Industries
Rediscovering these materials reminded me of my professional journey's origins and the valuable lessons learned:
My engineering foundation taught me that first-principles thinking, rigorous analysis, and iteration are key to solving complex problems. While thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and aero structure design may not directly apply to finance, their influence has been surprisingly valuable.
Leading diverse teams—from Rolls-Royce's shop floor to Lab49's global delivery teams and Fortune 100 enterprise transformation programs—has reinforced the importance of creating safe, inclusive environments, fostering mutual respect, and embracing diverse perspectives.
Continuous learning across technology innovation, financial markets, and industry verticals has revealed the world's true interconnectedness and the value of maintaining global relationships.
Through it all, I've learned a fundamental truth: culture drives behavior, and behavior drives outcomes. Success in any field requires not just technical expertise but also adaptability, innovation, and the ability to bring diverse perspectives to complex challenges.
Convergence
Those yellowed pages from my university days remind me that life often moves in circles rather than straight lines. From aerospace engineering's precision through finance's fast-paced world and the startup ecosystem, to returning to the space frontier, my journey has come full circle.
As COO of the Space Network, I'm excited about 2025's possibilities. From evaluating commercial space technologies and developing executive space education programs to investing in high-potential startups, this multi-disciplinary journey promises to be dynamic and engaging.
While space commercialization is our mission, our work transcends industries, borders, and cultures.
Here's to everyone in my network reaching new heights in 2025, whatever your orbit!
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