Meet Tom Acker, SEOPS’ new Chief Operating Officer

SEOPS is pleased to welcome Tom Acker as Chief Operating Officer, bringing more than 14 years of leadership experience spanning military space operations, aviation, government contracting, and executive operations.

Tom joins SEOPS at an exciting time for both the company and the commercial space industry. As launch demand accelerates, new launch vehicles enter the market, and customer missions become increasingly complex, operational excellence has never been more important. SEOPS continues to expand its role as a trusted partner that helps customers navigate the evolving launch ecosystem with confidence, preserving flexibility while delivering reliable access to space.

As Chief Operating Officer, Tom will oversee Mission and Launch Execution, Mission Management and Integration, and Mission Assurance, ensuring SEOPS continues to scale its operations while maintaining the reliability and customer focus that have become hallmarks of the company. He believes that operational excellence isn’t about adding bureaucracy. It’s about creating repeatable, scalable processes that allow talented people to do their best work. “As SEOPS continues to grow, our responsibility is to build an organization that can scale without compromising mission assurance or the customer experience,” says Tom. 

For Tom, the opportunity to join SEOPS was about much more than accepting a new leadership position.

“The commercial space industry is entering one of the most transformative periods in its history. Space is evolving from an emerging market into a foundational part of the global economy. What drew me to SEOPS was the company’s vision of helping customers navigate an increasingly dynamic launch environment. Rather than simply offering access to a launch vehicle, SEOPS provides strategic access to space, giving customers the flexibility and confidence they need to execute successful missions.”

As launch providers continue to innovate and expand capabilities, customers face more choices than ever before. Determining the right launch vehicle, mission profile, schedule, and long-term strategy has become a business-critical decision that begins well before a spacecraft is ready to fly.

That philosophy strongly resonated with Tom.

“One of the things that impressed me most is that SEOPS understands launch is no longer just a procurement decision at the end of spacecraft development. It influences engineering, manufacturing, financing, licensing, insurance, and overall mission planning from the very beginning. Helping customers preserve options and reduce uncertainty is exactly the type of challenge that excites me.”

Throughout his career, Tom has led organizations responsible for executing complex, mission-critical operations where precision, accountability, and disciplined execution directly impacted national security. From serving as an Army Aviation Officer and Army Space Officer to leading large-scale Department of War defense programs, he has built high-performing organizations focused on delivering consistent results under demanding conditions. He’s flown helicopters in combat, where he had to quickly identify problems before they became problems, a skill that is at the heart of operations. 

“Technology can be replicated. Processes can be improved. What truly differentiates a company is its people. From my very first conversations with the leadership team, it was clear that SEOPS has built a culture centered on innovation, accountability, and collaboration. Everyone is focused on solving difficult problems for customers and advancing the industry together.”

As SEOPS continues expanding its capabilities and helping organizations navigate an increasingly dynamic space economy, Tom looks forward to helping the company strengthen its operational foundation while remaining focused on what matters most: mission success, customer trust, and reliable access to space.

“I’m honored to join the SEOPS team and excited for what lies ahead. The opportunity to help shape the future of commercial space alongside such a talented team is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I look forward to serving our customers, our partners, and the broader space community.”