Berthoud Aerospace Company Ursa Major Adds Two Defense Industry Leaders to Board of Directors
Ursa Major, the Berthoud-based aerospace and defense manufacturer, announced October 2 the appointment of two prominent industry executives to its Board of Directors as the company continues expanding its production of hypersonics, solid rocket motors and space propulsion systems.
Dr. Ronald Sugar, former Chairman and CEO of Northrop Grumman, and Gilman Louie, veteran technology investor and former CEO of In-Q-Tel, joined Ursa Major's board to provide strategic guidance as the company scales its advanced defense manufacturing capabilities.
"We're excited to be working with Ron and Gilman to rapidly innovate and scale capabilities for the defense industrial base," said Dan Jablonsky, CEO of Ursa Major. "We're adding unmatched leadership in aerospace and national defense innovation and gaining strategic insight that will help us solve the most urgent challenges facing the United States and our allies."
The board appointments come as Ursa Major continues rapid growth from its Berthoud headquarters, where the company conducts engineering, testing and manufacturing of flight-proven propulsion systems. Founded in 2015 by former SpaceX and Blue Origin engineer Joe Laurienti, according to company information, Ursa Major has grown to approximately 270 employees as of April 2023.
Dr. Sugar brings decades of experience scaling advanced defense and aerospace technologies from his tenure leading Northrop Grumman. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Apple and as Chairman of Uber. A physicist and engineer by training, Sugar said Ursa Major is addressing critical needs in next-generation propulsion technology.
"Ursa Major is ushering in much-needed next-generation propulsion technology for the aerospace and defense industry," Sugar said in the company's announcement. "From demonstrating liquid engines at hypersonic speeds to applying additive manufacturing in new ways for solid rocket motors, the company is just getting started."
Louie co-founded and serves as partner at Alsop Louie Partners after leading In-Q-Tel, the CIA's venture capital arm. His firm has been a long-term investor in Ursa Major, giving him direct insight into the company's technological progress and market position.
"Alsop Louie has backed Ursa Major for years, and I've seen firsthand how quickly they've advanced critical propulsion and rocket technologies," Louie said. "Joining the board is an opportunity to help accelerate that trajectory as Ursa Major works to deliver critical systems to the warfighter and reshapes the defense industrial base."
The appointments position Ursa Major to leverage extensive industry relationships as it competes for larger defense contracts and expands manufacturing capacity. The company operates from its Berthoud campus where it conducts frequent engine test-firings in an onsite bunker and uses additive manufacturing techniques to produce most engine components, according to company information.
Ursa Major's focus on advanced propulsion systems aligns with Colorado's position as a major aerospace and defense hub. The state hosts significant concentrations of space technology firms, Department of Defense contractors, and collaboration networks between universities, federal laboratories and private manufacturers, according to regional economic development data.
Other major aerospace companies in Northern Colorado include Woodward Inc. in Fort Collins, which manufactures control systems and aerospace components, and Ball Aerospace, which has operations in the broader region. The presence of high-growth, export-driven employers like Ursa Major contributes to sustaining the innovation climate in Larimer and Weld counties, according to Northern Colorado Regional Economic Development Initiative publications.
The company manufactures throttleable liquid rocket engines, solid rocket motors for hypersonics and defense platforms, satellite propulsion systems, and launch vehicle engines from its Berthoud facility. Ursa Major also operates additive manufacturing operations in Youngstown, Ohio.
The board expansion reflects broader growth trends as Northern Colorado companies continue developing programs to support business development and access to advanced technologies across the region.
Ursa Major's rapid expansion has brought at least $100 million in investment capital since 2021, according to industry reporting, driving local hiring, facility upgrades and technology deployments based in Berthoud. The company more than doubled its employee count from 125 in 2021 to approximately 250 by mid-2022.