In space, there is no second-place or second chances. Success or failure, right or wrong, light or dark. Being the best comes with starting with the best.
If it’s not us, it’s not Optimum.
Our Culture
We value expertise, creativity, and visionary thinking. Our culture thrives on innovation and the application of experience to foster growth and success.
We are committed to doing the right things, the right way. Integrity, accountability, and a strong attention to detail drive our pursuit of customer satisfaction.
We take initiative, are self-starters, and embrace creativity to solve challenges in innovative ways.
We prioritize collaboration and team spirit, fostering an environment of trust, balance, and passion where collective goals are always the focus.
Executive Team
Jeffrey Gick, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Co-Owner
Before founding Optimum Technologies in 2015, Jeff worked at Hughes Space & Communications and Orbital Sciences Corporation. He has extensive engineering, program management, and business capture experience. While at Orbital, Jeff was the AFRL ANGELS PM, the NTS-3 proposal capture lead, and the PM for a space-based M-code GPS receiver. He has 30+ years of satellite and aerospace development experience and holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University (1985).
John Hildebrand, Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Co-Owner
Before co-founding Optimum Technologies in 2015, John previously worked at Lockheed Martin, United Space Alliance, and Orbital Sciences Corporation. While at Orbital, John was the Orion Launch Abort System DPM and the USAF GSSAP DPM. He has 30+ years of satellite and aerospace development experience in commercial and government sectors. John holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Penn State University (1987) and an MS in Systems Engineering from George Washington University (2008).
Timothy Rumford, Executive Vice President
Timothy Rumford, formerly an Operating Unit Director within Northrop Grumman‘s Tactical Space Systems Division, has been appointed Vice President of Operations at Sterling, Virginia-based aerospace technical services provider Optimum Technologies. In his previous role, he managed Northrop’s space vehicle offerings, which include the ESPAStar product line, for the National Security Sector. He also worked at Orbital Sciences in various roles, such as program director on the Stratolaunch Air Launch System, chief engineer of the Pegasus Launch Vehicle Program, and manager for the NASA Crew Exploration Vehicle, Launch Abort System, and Demonstration of Autonomous Rendezvous Technology programs. He holds bachelor’s and master's degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Connecticut and a master's degree in systems engineering & management from George Washington University.
Simon Dawson, Chief Technology Officer
Simon has work experience as a Space Systems Engineer and Chief Engineer for smallsats through to Class A assets and human-rated spacecraft and missions. Before joining Optimum Technologies in 2019, he worked at Space Systems Integration (SSI), Orbital Science Corporation, Swales, SpaceDev, and Microcosm. His program experience includes USAF, NASA, DARPA, and other US Government agency support work as well as commercial ventures. He has worked Cygnus ISS Re-Supply, System F6, WFOV, CHIPSat, NuStar, and ESPAStar missions of all types. He is an author on tens of papers, is a co-inventor on a US Patent for High C3 Interplanetary Trajectory Optimization, is a contributor to the renowned text Space Mission Analysis and Design “SMAD” (3rd Ed) and is a reviewer on its update Space Mission Engineering “SME.” He is a contributor to other related texts.
Jim Peterka, Vice President of West Coast Operations
Jim Peterka, formerly Design Center Director and Senior Program Manager at the Boeing Company for Commercial and Government Satellite Systems, has over 40 years of experience in Engineering, Program Management, and New Business Development on large aerospace programs. Jim's prior experience includes new product design, development, production, and delivery of space systems for domestic and international customers. He has managed the 702SP Space Vehicle Product Line since its inception in 2012, having deployed seven satellites to date, and is a co-inventor and holds patents on the all-electric propulsion satellite configuration. Recent assignments include Program Manager and Launch Day Director on SES-15, SES-20/21, and Launch and Mission Operations for WGS-F10. Prior experience includes Space Vehicle Manager for National Space Systems, including design and development of the 702HP and 601 classes of spacecraft. He holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the University of California in Los Angeles and a master's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Southern California.
Michael McMeekin, Vice President of Strategy
Michael McMeekin has joined the OpTech team as Vice President of Strategy and Business Development. In this capacity, Mike will work with internal and external personnel to develop growth opportunities for OpTech and its affiliated mission partners. Mike joins OpTech from a recent retirement from Northrop Grumman, where he had a very successful 16-year career, starting with Orbital Science Corporation in 2006. In this capacity, Mike was instrumental in growing the National Security Space business to an annual revenue of greater than $900M with a sales order record greater than $1B. In addition, from late 2018 to mid-2022, Mike led a small team supporting a corporate initiative to develop growth strategies for the Space Sector at Northrop Grumman.
