Benchmark Space Systems has announced the strategic hire and appointment of financial services veteran and entrepreneur Chuck Bush as the company’s first Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to lead investor relations, financial reporting, and growth opportunities with space industry prime contractors.
Bush joins Benchmark as the company expands its headquarters manufacturing and testing facilities and integration capabilities in Burlington, Vermont. Prior to Benchmark, Bush founded Great Road Capital, a boutique investment bank and consulting firm, where he raised more than $500 million in capital primarily for the entertainment industry.
Before founding his financial consultancy, Bush had a successful stint at JP Morgan fundraising and advising on over $7 billion in transactions for DreamWorks, MGM, FOX and other global entertainment companies.
“I’m thrilled to join the space industry and Benchmark Space Systems, at a time when the company is developing, building and integrating innovative in-space propulsion systems driving the space economy.” said Bush. “From sustainable agriculture and climate change management to national defense missions, I’m looking forward to supporting Benchmark’s initiatives and growing strategic relationships with key investors.”
Bush traces his entrepreneurial spirit to his late father, who dedicated his life to alternative energy research as a nuclear physicist. “My father’s career focused on technology he knew could change the world, and he would be thrilled to know I have the opportunity to apply my strategic finance knowledge and insight at a deep tech company like Benchmark that is doing important work and building game-changing technologies.”
“We are delighted to name Chuck to the team as CFO at a pivotal time in Benchmark’s growth,” said Ryan McDevitt, Benchmark CEO. “As Benchmark approaches the space industry with a much wider lens as a developer and builder of mobility solutions and a leading integrator of partner propulsion capabilities, we will leverage Chuck’s strategic financial know-how to help fuel our customers’ and our team’s own missions and dreams for years to come.”
Benchmark’s most recent funding round was last year’s $33 million Series B, announced late last summer.
The company provides non-toxic chemical, electric, and multi-technology hybrid propulsion systems that enable in-space mobility and the emerging space economy. Benchmark is currently fulfilling contracts for dozens of its new Xantus electric metal plasma thrusters (MPTs), which will play a key role in upcoming in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM) satellite docking demonstration missions.
The company is also producing hundreds of its 2N Lynx bi-propellant (HTP + fuel) thrusters to meet increasing demand for low Earth orbit (LEO) and cislunar missions. The intelligent maneuver control enabled by the SmartAIM™ advanced onboard propulsion control software is being considered by a growing number of missions and operators deploying Benchmark thrusters and propulsion systems.
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