Meet the
GXO, Inc. Experts
The GXO, Inc. team brings decades of combined leadership
experience at the bleeding-edge of space and deep tech.
We created GXO to offer the first full-service solution bridging the needs of startups, investors, and government
Leadership
Mandy Vaughn
CEO & Founder
Ellen Phelan
Vice President, Government Business Operations
Jordan Bell
Vice President, Security & Program Protection
David Gauthier
Chief Strategy Officer
Richard DalBello
Consulting Partner
Meredith Wollman
Chief of Staff
CEO & Founder
Mandy is one of the most innovative and influential leaders in the US space industry. She founded GXO in 2021 to drive innovation, unlock new opportunities, and address emerging threats.
Prior to founding GXO, at Virgin Orbit, Mandy worked on the LauncherOne program for government and commercial customers—including NASA and OneWeb. She served as president and CEO of VOX Space (a Virgin Orbit subsidiary) with a specific focus on the national security launch market.
Additionally, Mandy has worked within General Dynamics Mission Systems, the Air Force as an active duty officer , and Kinsey Technical Services to advance next-generation innovations in GPS, satellite communications, defense, and security. Mandy holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering and an MS in Aeronautics and Astronautics, both from MIT.
Extra: Mandy has over 800 skydives, has been a pilot since she was 18 years old, a Space Camp Alum (multiple times), and enjoys spending time on her boat PolePole.
Vice President of Government Business Operations
Ellen brings expertise in compliance with USG regulatory requirements, RFP analysis and proposal submission, contract negotiations and post award administration. She is also actively involved in the advancement of acquisition strategy to support the USG’s assured access to space initiatives.
Prior to joining GXO Inc., Ms. Phelan served as the Sr. Director of Business Management for Virgin Orbit National Systems (a Virgin Orbit subsidiary) a company bringing small launch capability to the DOD and IC community. In that role, Ellen led the companies accounting, finance, contracts and pricing functions. In addition, Ellen was part of the Business Development team focused on capture campaigns for new business opportunities. Ellen also served on the Virgin Orbit National Systems Board of Directors in the capacity of Secretary.
Ms. Phelan has held several positions of increasing responsibilities in the Aerospace and Defense industry, with a focus on U.S., international and commercial space-related programs including the International Space Station and Delta/EELV Launch Vehicle Programs.
Extra: Ms. Phelan is a graduate of the University of San Diego with a Bachelors in Business Administration, and is a Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM). Ellen loves the ocean and spends much of her free time on her boat in Dana Point, California.
Vice President, Security & Program Protection
Jordan has over two decades of experience managing security programs for the U.S. Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community. She has experience developing, maintaining, monitoring, and ensuring compliance of various unclassified and classified systems in support of national security missions for the US government and foreign allies.
Jordan is an expert in government proposals, RFPs, customer management, and developing launch or operations sites around the world.
At GXO, Jordan supports business development for new companies as they scale to secure government and private business.
Jordan currently maintains a U.S. Department of Defense 8570 certification in addition to several other security certifications.
Extra: Jordan loves scuba diving around the world and has an unhealthy obsession with March Madness.
Chief Strategy Officer
Dave Gauthier helps breakthrough space industry innovators thrive and deliver sustainable national security space capabilities.
Prior to his role with GXO, Inc., he served for almost nine years in the Senior Executive Service at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) — most recently as NGA’s Director of Commercial Operations. Dave was the first-ever Chair of the Intelligence Community’s Commercial Space Council — providing space policy recommendations to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). He became NGA’s Chief Strategy Officer in 2016 after leading various intelligence programs at NGA, ODNI, the Riverside Research Institute, and the U.S. Air Force.
Dave earned his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and M.S. degrees in both Aerospace Engineering and Telecommunications Science from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He earned the Presidential Rank Award and is a graduate of several senior leadership programs, including Leading the Intelligence Community, DoD APEX, and the MIT Executive Certificate program.
Extra:: Dave is a husband and father who loves hiking in the mountains, reading science fiction, and launching model rockets.
Consulting Partner
Richard DalBello is a seasoned space policy and industry leader with extensive experience across government and commercial organizations. He most recently served as Director of the Office of Space Commerce at the U.S. Department of Commerce, where he advanced U.S. efforts in space traffic management and oversaw regulation of the commercial remote sensing industry.
Previously, Richard was Vice President of Global Engagement at Virgin Galactic, Director of Space and Aeronautics at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and Vice President of Government Affairs at Intelsat General. He has also held leadership positions at the Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association and the Satellite Industry Association.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Illinois, a master’s degree in law from McGill University, and a doctorate in jurisprudence from the University of San Francisco.
Chief of Staff
Meredith Wollman brings expertise in corporate business development and marketing. She has experience creating holistic synergies with key stakeholders, aligning on KPIs that balance short- and long-term strategies. A servant leader who builds coalitions using gravitas, emotional intelligence, and an apt balance of humor. Able to lead teams to exceed goals by listening, removing roadblocks, and coaching teams to grow.
Prior to her role at GXO, Inc., she worked across a variety of industries including CPG at Mattel (the home of Barbie, Hot Wheels, & Fisher-Price), legal services at Latham & Watkins, fundraising at the UCLA Ziman Center for Real Estate, architectural services at HOK, and commercial real estate at CBRE. Meredith started her career developing commercial and industrial real estate holding both her real estate and general contractors’ licenses.
Meredith earned her B.A. in English literature at UC Irvine and her MBA at the UCLA Anderson School of Management where she focused on finance.
Extra: Meredith is a wife & mother who enjoys spending time with her family. As an avid reader, she’s been in a book club for over 30 years. She also mentors young women through StepUp.
