We are delighted to announce the appointment of our new CEO, Richard Johanson, succeeding our founder and former CEO, Dan Sola.
Originally from Birmingham, Alabama – just south of the “Rocket City” of Huntsville, AL where the rockets that put the first man on the moon were built, Richard grew up eating space ice cream and reading science fiction. Richard is a proud graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - ‘Go Heels!’ - and has had a wonderfully varied career path since which has taken him all over the world. Richard previously led enterprise software, data and analytics projects for IBM in the US and Australia before joining Social Ventures Australia’s strategy consulting team which is dedicated to building an Australia where all people and communities thrive. Richard pivoted into the space sector during his MBA at the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School and continued his space education during a brief period at the Satellite Applications Catapult and as a participant in International Space University’s Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program. Richard originally joined the Archangel team in late 2019, working closely with Dan to pursue special projects, business development and partnership opportunities.
Richard says, ‘It is a huge honour to take on the mantle of CEO for Archangel Lightworks. I’m incredibly excited about the potential for the company and the opportunity that laser communications present to connect humanity across the solar system. As we expand into the United States, I look forward to continuing to work with the team to develop technology that unlocks value for our customers, humanity and our planet.’
Dan Sola will be moving to the role of Chairman, saying ‘Richard is perfect for the job and has been instrumental in exploring our US opportunities. I am looking forward to supporting his leadership of the company through the next phase of growth.’
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