Stellant Systems, Inc. announced that Lieutenant General John F. Thompson, U.S. Air Force (Ret.) and Major General James O. Poss, U.S. Air Force (Ret.) have been added to the Board of Directors.

Lt. Gen. John F. Thompson most recently was the Commander at the Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California. As the Department of the Air Force Program Executive Officer for Space, General Thompson managed the research, design, development, acquisition and sustainment of satellites and the associated command and control systems.

Previously, Lt. Gen. Thompson was Commander, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. His extensive experience includes military satellite communication, missile warning, navigation and timing, space-based weather, space launch and test ranges, certification for launch, space superiority, responsive space and other emerging evolutionary space programs.

“Both critical defense systems and significant elements of our national economy absolutely rely on Stellant’s mission-essential high power amplifiers. It’s an honor to be part of Stellant’s amazing team of professionals and their track record of proven success,” said General Thompson.

Lt. General Thompson entered the Air Force in 1984 as a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. He has served in a variety of scientific, acquisition and logistics-oriented capacities, including staff assignments at Air Force Systems Command, Air Force Materiel Command and in the office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition.

“We are pleased to welcome Lt. General “JT” Thompson to our board” said Paul Russell, Stellant’s CEO. “General Thompson’s understanding of our national priorities in Space and Spectrum Dominance are unmatched and will help us chart our strategy to support these critical priorities.” Lt. General Thompson earned a B.S. degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy and master’s degrees in industrial engineering from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. 

Major General James O. Poss previously served as the Director of Intelligence at both Headquarter U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Combat Command. His final assignment was Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Headquarters U.S. Air Force. 

He is a 30-year U.S. Air Force veteran with combat experience in four wars and was the Air Force’s senior career intelligence officer at his transition from active service in November 2012. He is a leading expert on UAS, having helped designed the U.S. Air Force’s remote split operations system for remotely piloted aircraft control and the Distributed Common Ground Station for intelligence analysis.

“Stellant is the right company at the right time—our country and our Allies need American made, high-quality electronic warfare, space and radar components as we switch from counter terror to countering near peer competitors. I’m proud to be part of their team,” said General Poss. 

“General Poss has had a distinguished career and brings a wealth of international, military and technology experience to the Stellant Board,” said Nicholas Gritti, executive vice president, Strategy and Business Development for Stellant. “We look forward to his many contributions as we continue to implement our long-term growth strategy.”

General Poss earned a Bachelor’s  in political science from the University of Southern Mississippi and master’s degrees in international relations from the University of Southern California and in national security and strategic studies from College of Naval Command and Staff. He also attended Armed Forces Staff and Air War Colleges.