Ronald Mandel has more than 40 years of experience in the design, development, and integration of highly complex aerospace systems used in telecommunications, exploratory missions and defense applications, including satellites and space vehicles. A Lockheed Martin Fellow, Mr. Mandel recently retired from Lockheed Martin Space, where he held the position of Chief Systems Engineer. Throughout his impressive career, which was almost entirely at Lockheed Martin, Mr. Mandel led large engineering teams in all program phases from conceptualization through deployment for the successful completion of numerous multimillion-dollar commercial and government contracts. As a senior systems engineering executive, Mr. Mandel was involved with formulating and evaluating procurement proposals, reviewing costs and risk assessments, and collaborating with customers to resolve issues and ensure program deliverables either met or exceeded expectations. He has also been responsible for recruiting and training departments exceeding 250 people - standing up project teams, and he has served as a technical consultant on a variety of critical engineering challenges. For 30 years, Mr. Mandel designed and developed complex digital, RF and optical systems, including testing hardware and software for satellite command and telemetry systems. Among his many achievements, Mr. Mandel led operational readiness planning and execution for the MUOS 1 Space Vehicle for the U.S. Navy. As a mentor and visionary, he has taught and developed the curriculum for more than 25 different courses on Systems Engineering, Space Systems Design and Integrated Product Development Team Leadership, directed at various staff levels and mid-career professionals. Mr. Mandel has been recognized with 7 Lockheed Martin Team Excellence Awards, as well as other industry honors over his career.

Jeanne Yu is a visionary leader in the aerospace industry with over 30 years of experience at Boeing, where she received numerous honors in the areas of sustainability and accelerating new technologies. Most recently, she was the Product Development Director of Technology Integration for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. In this role, she planned and executed Boeing’s technology R&D portfolio for current and future commercial airplanes. In 2010, Ms. Yu created the innovative ecoDemonstrator Program, a cadence of flight test platforms to catalyze “learn by doing” and accelerate innovation, collaboration, and technology implementation. Seven ecoDemonstrator airplanes have flown to date, including the 737, 787, 777, 757 and an Embraer E170. She also established a Design for Environment program focusing technology on energy, global and local emissions, community noise, and better sustainable materials. Ms. Yu initiated and led Boeing’s first biofuel flights on commercial aircraft establishing the viability of sustainable aviation biofuel and its reduced lifecycle carbon footprint. She has previous experience in Environmental Control Systems, air quality, 787 cabin environment, fire protection systems and certification. Ms. Yu has served on the National Academies Engineering panel and Transportation Research Board Committees, FAA Research Engineering and Development Advisory Committee, International UK advisory for Aviation and Environment, OMEGA, and the FAA Center of Excellence for Aircraft - Cabin Environment. She was inducted as an AIAA Associate Fellow in 2019. She is also an International Coach Federation certified coach. Ms. Yu received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of Illinois and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering – Thermosciences from Stanford University. Prior to joining Boeing, she worked at Sandia National Laboratories. Throughout her career, Ms. Yu has chosen to Lean Forward, Learn Continuously and Lead with Courageous Optimism.

Chester Rodeheaver has nearly twenty years of experience in valuations, investment banking, mergers and acquisitions, cross-border joint ventures, feasibility studies, strategic planning, finance, real estate investments and development, and entrepreneurship. Chester has provided guidance founders and investors across many industries to help build companies that thrive. In 2003, he began his career in Washington D.C. with Booz Allen Hamilton, a leading management consulting firm. In 2009, Chester founded an investment banking firm in Dubai, called Pont Capital, now located in Miami, Florida, to advise family offices and growing businesses. He lived in Dubai from 2003-2013, a period that coincided with Dubai’s economic transformation. During his time in the Middle East, Chester worked with startups that included a regional investment bank; a $200 million operator of primary and secondary schools; a $400 million buyout of a German software company‘s regional presence; Ferrari World Theme Park in Abu Dhabi; a national savings business model that currently manages over $2 billion in assets; and a sovereign wealth fund. Since returning to the U.S., Chester has continued to advise several family offices, as well as a diverse range of startups. Chester is a Certified Financial Analyst (CFA) and has been a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA). He earned a Master of Business Administration (with honors) from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, a Master in Public Administration (MPA) from Harvard University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Virginia. Chester has studied at the Sorbonne (University of Paris IV) and in Aachen, Germany. He also holds certificates in Financial Modeling and Entrepreneurship from Wharton Business School. Chester is a frequent speaker on topics such as and valuation, finance and investment.

Peter Einstein is a successful entrepreneur, socially-conscious investor, and award-winning advertising copywriter/creative director. He has over 40 years of experience launching groundbreaking products and advertising campaigns, including: the world’s first major environmental brand; the first cellular phone and cellular telephone service in the U.S.; the original concept and name for Jell-O Pudding Pops; a 30-second spot for Arm & Hammer credited with putting a box of Baking Soda into 7 out 10 refrigerators in the U.S.; and the introduction of the gull-winged DeLorean sports car of “Back to the Future” fame. His “Live the Dream” theme won the account from 107 other ad agencies. Mr. Einstein is an expert in new products and branding. As Executive Copy Director /Senior Creative Director at the storied Foote, Cone & Belding advertising agency in New York City, he was the key creative force behind successful introductions of numerous new products for Colgate-Palmolive,Lipton, Wish-Bone Salad Dressings, AT&T, and Nabisco. As Founder and Executive Director of the Innovation Zone Project @ AEGEA, a planned international city of the arts and entertainment in Florida, Peter has worked extensively with Xeriant and AEGEA with the goal of eventually showcasing Xeriant’s VTOL technologies in AEGEA’s high-profile environment. One of the first 100 individuals cited in the "Who’s Who in Crowdfunding,” Peter co-hosted a special crowdfunding podcast series for CBS with internationally-renowned business growth expert Jay Abraham and wrote a comprehensive chapter on equity crowdfunding for one of Abraham’s recent books.