California Chapter

The Space Force Association – California Chapter emphasizes California’s indispensable role in the nation’s space enterprise, serving as a hub for innovation and the home of critical U.S. Space Force assets, including Space Systems Command (SSC) and Space Launch Delta 30 at Vandenberg Space Force Base. We support the U.S. Space Force mission by connecting military, industry, and academic communities across California, leveraging the state’s leadership in space acquisition, technology development, and launch operations. Our chapter drives awareness of space-related advancements, champions policies that enhance national security, and supports the professional development of space professionals. We empower members to contribute to California’s legacy of space excellence, ensuring the U.S. Space Force remains at the forefront of global space leadership.

Chapter Leadership

Martin Amen

Goal-driven executive with 25 years in P&L ownership roles driving strategy, growth and program performance (EBITDA) achieving year-over-year double-digit (CAGR) growth of 12.8% and ROS improvements. Reputation for identifying areas for strategic importance that is not readily apparent, and implementing solutions that meet or exceed business goals, and propel the organizations forward.

Dynamic leader: promoted within Northrop Grumman 5 times to ever-increasing responsibilities, overseeing all elements of P&L Portfolio to include: Operations, BD, Facilities, Programs, Engineering, Manufacturing, and all cross-functional elements, with employee counts over 800 and yearly revenue over $500M.

Strategic growth expert: obsession with winning (positioning, capturing, bidding, performing); winning over $1.6B program value, with over 25 programs delivering over $2.2B revenue. Experience with hundreds of successful capture/proposal submissions at a win rate over 75%

Change agent: restructured multiple organizations and companies to changing markets, increasing ROS (aggregate over 10 points), adopting product lines, achieving year-over-year employee T-Score’s above 75% and turnover less than 2.4%.

In-depth experience in Space, Launch Spaceports, Training Systems and Distributed Networks, EW and Digital Evolution. Broad experience in both domestic and international.
Apart from professional achievements dedicated to giving back to his community, serving on the boards of several non-profit organizations and actively supports causes related to STEM education, his belief in God, and advancement of defense systems that help protect our nation.

Martin Amen President

Dolores Lowe

Engineering professional with extensive experience working with both foreign and domestic simulation military sectors; Experienced in flight and ground simulation trainers and the associated Live, Virtual, Constructive, and Gaming domains; Solid reputation for delivering projects which consistently meet cost and schedule constraints; Briefed and represented programs at major conferences, military dignitaries, and customers; Managed diverse teams providing guidance and mentorship. Fluent in Spanish. Core competencies include:

Program & Project Management, Customer Relations, Business Development, Systems Engineering, Requirements definition, Modeling and Simulation (M&S), Systems Integration, Team building and management, Simulation Database Development, Briefings and Presentations. Experienced in the design, development, integration, and test of visual simulation software, databases, interfaces, and instrumentation devices. Program support of CCTT, CFFT, HITS, OneSAF, LVC-IA, Constructive, Mission Command, and VBS2/Gaming.

Dr. Autry started his career as a software and network engineer and has founded and managed several businesses in the technology sector. Dr. Autry holds a BA from California Polytechnic University at Pomona and an MBA and PhD from the Merage School of Business at the University of California, Irvine.

Dolores Lowe Vice President

Dr. Michael Mlynarczyk

Senior Space Analyst, Integrator, Program Manager, Business Developer and Operations Manager with 20+ years of experience and great success with military organizations, primarily in the acquisition/requirements, missile warning, space control, and Air and Space Operations Center (AOC) sectors. A high quality proven performer with drive, determination, creativity and insight whose career includes impressive results from missile warning unit inspections; trailblazing joint space control training and education; adding realistic space injects to coalition exercise scenarios and advocating joint air and space operations integration.

Specialties: My functional areas of expertise are missile warning and missile defense, training and education, space control, exercises and experiments, and space integration. My professional expertise is in organizational restructuring, change management, program/project management, strategic planning and analysis, regional accreditation standards, strategic leadership, space doctrine, quality assurance and job placement.

Dr. Michael Mlynarczyk Education

Alec Leeseberg

A designer and creative technologist based on the Space Coast, with over 5 years of experience collaborating with the Department of Defense to deliver cutting-edge technologies to warfighters. Alec Leeseberg is the Co-founder and President of Velocity Explorations, a company focused on delivering emerging technologies into the hands of warfighters. Alec holds an M.S. in Creative Technologies and Design from the University of Colorado and a B.S. in Creative Technologies from Berry College.

As a member and contributor to the Forbes Technology Council, Alec brings thought leadership to the intersection of technology and design. Alec’s areas of expertise and interest include space exploration, human-centered design, human-computer interaction, generative AI, mixed reality, human-robot interaction, human-machine teaming, novel user interfaces, and volumetric displays.