Capturing Ground System Market Share in a Dynamic Space Environment

Nathan de Ruiter is the Partner & Managing Director of Novaspace, merger of Euroconsult Group and SpaceTec Partners. Since joining the team in 2011, he has advised a wide range of Canadian and international clients including satellite operators, manufacturers, equipment providers, service providers and government agencies, private equity and financial institutions.

Nathan plays an integral role in contributing to the successful execution of client engagements through the development of project management, quality assurance and professional consulting and research methodologies. Over the last ten years, Nathan has managed and contributed to more than 100 consulting missions including ABS, Harris Corporation, Inmarsat, Kymeta, Measat, Carlyle Group, KKR, Ex-Im Bank, Export Development Canada, and Canadian Space Agency. His speciality lies in commercial due diligence, market analysis, financial forecasting and strategic planning. Nathan also leads executive workshops in the satellite communications domain.

Nathan is also the Editor of Novaspace’s research reports on satellite communications such as Satellite Connectivity and Video Market and High Throughput Satellites: Vertical Market Analysis and Forecasts.

Prior to Novaspace, Nathan was Senior Manager at S.M. International Financial Advisory, a boutique advisory firm dedicated to the infrastructure sector. Nathan also worked at a seed capital firm, Neotech Capital, which invests in new media and telecom start-ups.

Don Claussen is Chief Executive Officer of ST Engineering iDirect, a global leader in satellite communications (satcom).

Prior to joining ST Engineering iDirect, Claussen was a Vice President at Intelsat General Corporation responsible for strategy, business development, product management and service delivery. During his tenure at Intelsat General Corporation, he aligned the Product Development and Service Delivery teams to launch a Multi-Orbit SATCOM capability providing end users seamless access to GEO and LEO SATCOM services from a single user interface.

With over 15 years of technology leadership positions, Claussen served as a general manager of portfolio businesses at Viasat and L3Harris Technologies where he successfully led business growth, organizational change, and business integration. He also has held technical positions in various technology companies and has designed and deployed SATCOM systems for commercial and government customers.

A veteran of the U.S. Army with eight years of active service, Claussen holds an MBA from Northeastern University and a Bachelor of Science Degree from Colorado Technical University in Business Administration & Management, and has attended Executive Leadership Courses at the University of Southern California and the University of Pennsylvania.

Ron Faith is a serial entrepreneur returning to the space industry after stints in cloud computing and mobile commerce. Most recently Ron was the CEO of Datacastle, a cloud based endpoint data protection company acquired by Carbonite last year. Prior to Datacastle, Ron worked at Apple Computer where he launched Apple’s first standalone Internet product in the mid-90’s. Ron is a published author and patent owner. Ron graduated from the University of Washington with a Masters of Science in Electrical Engineering where he performed research for Boeing’s Aerospace and Defense group in frequency selective surfaces. Ron attained his Bachelors degree from Dartmouth College where he double-majored in Engineering Sciences and Philosophy.  

Aaron Hawkins serves as the Director for Viasat’s Real-Time Earth (RTE) Ground-Segment-as-a-Service (GSaaS) business area. He leads strategic alliances and global business development for the RTE team and has grown RTE from a small start-up within Viasat to a global service operating on six continents providing TT&C and payload connectivity for satellite missions ranging from earth observation and optical intersatellite link demonstrations to on-orbit servicing and orbital debris removal. Previously, Aaron led business development efforts within Viasat’s Antenna Systems full-motion antenna business area.

Aaron brings over 20 years of defense and commercial aerospace experience. He started his professional career as a national security representative within the executive branch of the United States government where he led efforts domestically and internationally to confront transnational threats through engagement with allied partners, often utilizing geospatial tools.

Billie Sims has extensive work experience in the satellite and telecommunications industry. She currently serves as the Vice President, Sales and Business Development for both Gilat Satellite Netowrks and Wavestream Business Units. Billie previously held the role Vice President of Growth at Comtech Telecommunications Corp. Prior to that, she was the VP of Partner Program Sales at Ursa Space Systems from 2022 to 2023.

From 2011 to 2022, she held the position of Vice President Sales and Business Development, Government Programs at Hunter Communications Inc, where she provided end-to-end support and developed integrated satellite solutions.

Billie also has experience in various leadership roles within professional organizations. From 2019 to present, Billie has been a member of the Board of Directors at Space and Satellite Professionals International. She also contributed to the satellite industry as the President of the Society of Satellite Professionals from 2017 to 2018, and as the Vice President from 2016 to 2017.

Before that, Billie worked at SES WORLD SKIES as the Senior Director, Sales from 2010 to 2011, and at SES New Skies as the Senior Director, North America Sales from 2007 to 2010. She also held the position of Account Manager, International Broadcast Services at Verestar from 2000 to 2004.

Overall, Billie Sims has a strong background in sales, business development, and leadership within the satellite and telecommunications industry.

Billie Sims graduated from George Mason University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communication between 1992 and 1997. In 2000, Billie obtained a Certificate in Satellite Communications Engineering from The George Washington University. Later, from 2008 to 2010, Billie attended Rutgers University for leadership training, earning a Certificate. Finally, between 2010 and 2012, Billie pursued a degree in Business, specifically an EMBA, from George Mason University’s Costello College of Business.