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
Robyn Ringuette
Vice President, Engineering
Meena Pandit
Associate of Strategy and Government Engagement
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.
Vice President, Engineering
Robyn brings more than two decades of technical expertise and leadership to the GXO team. He’s helped launch clean sheet programs at Rocketdyne, SpaceX, and Virgin Orbit.
His work includes everything from launch pads on the Florida space coast, engine test stands in the high desert, to tiny rocket factories near California beaches. He has worked on the technological developments that turn massive commercial airliners into launch platforms high above the clouds.
Robyn has worked and led at large aerospace programs and small nimble teams. At GXO he uses this experience to guide new partners as they rapidly iterate, scale, and grow their technology to successfully integrate into larger enterprises.
Extra: Robyn is a father, loves scuba diving, 3D printing, backpacking and is a member of Long Now.
Associate of Strategy and Goverment Engagement
Meena brings analytical skills in space and regulatory research to the team and GXO’s clients. Prior to joining GXO, Meena was a 2023 Brooke Owens Fellow where she was matched with Aerospace Industries Association and worked with their Space Systems Division supporting research efforts in civil, commercial, and national security space. Meena has spent time on the Hill completing an internship with the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, where she worked with Congressional members, lobbyists, and space research experts.
At GXO, Meena supports clients to meet their regulatory, policy, and strategy needs. Meena Pandit earned a B.A. in Science, Technology, and Society from Brown University. She also received an Entrepreneurship Certificate from the Nelson Center of Entrepreneurship at Brown.
Extra: Meena enjoys scuba diving, traveling, astrophotography, and is an advocate for the Dark Sky Association.
