Doug Owens

About Doug Owens

I am currently building a business aimed at making space exploration firms successful. I joined the space economy in 2023, and am proud to call myself a Spacebird after graduating in 2024 from ASU/Thunderbird’s “space MBA” masters program. I pivoted from my career as an executive in the U.S. government contracting realm, and am now pursuing my passion for space, entrepreneurship, and deep tech. Before I pivoted, I helped win over $300M of competitive and sole source U.S. Government contracts for a small consultancy, and built a $500M+ new business pipeline. I have extensive experience in project management, people management, helping small companies succeed, and winning U.S. Government contracts.

Experience

1. Board Member

   Propagule Space Ecology Institute

   Dec 2024 — Present

   I am working together with Founder/CEO Jane Shevtsov and the rest of our board to pursue Propagule\'s mission of advancing closed ecological life support systems science and technology. These are the technologies that will enable humans to thrive in space, while also creating new sustainable industries here on Earth. So far I\'ve moved the needle by striking a NIAC partnership deal with a major CLD provider, building our first donor pitch deck, and implementing the ninety.io business operating system (based on the book Traction) for our executive committee.

Education

• Thunderbird School of Global Management

  Master's degree, Space Leadership, Business, and Policy

• William & Mary

  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Double Major in Computer Science and Anthropology