Disney exec becomes Virgin Galactic CEO

Virgin Galactic, the primary tenant at Spaceport America, has passed the chief executive officer reins to a former Walt Disney Company executive, Michael Coglazier, effective July 20.

According to a Virgin Galactic press release, Colglazier is bringing more than three decades of experience in developing and growing consumer-oriented, multibillion-dollar businesses strategically, commercially and operationally. Most recently, he served as president and managing director for Disney Parks International, where he was responsible for operations, strategy and commercial and experiential development of Disney’s international parks and resorts.

Former CEO George Whitesides will assume the role of chief space oOfficer, focused on developing the company’s future business opportunities, including point-to-point hypersonic travel and orbital space travel. He will also chair the company’s Space Advisory Board and step down from the company’s board of directors.

Whitesides joined Virgin Galactic in 2010 as its first CEO, after serving as chief of staff at NASA. During the past decade, he has built the company from 30 people to a workforce of over 900, and he guided Virgin Galactic through its human space flight research and development program as well as the progress to date in its flight test program, culminating in two successful space flights.

During the past year, Whitesides led the transition of operations from Mojave, California, to Spaceport America and oversaw the company’s successful public listing — creating the world’s first publicly traded human-spaceflight venture.

‘’Serving as the first CEO of Virgin Galactic and The Spaceship Company for the past 10 years has been the honor and adventure of a lifetime,” Whitesides said. “The next decade for Virgin Galactic will be commercially-focused, and it is the perfect moment for us to bring a visionary commercial leader like Michael to take the company forward.”

Colglazier assumes the CEO role as the company progresses through its test-flight program and prepares for commercial service.

“I’m thrilled to join the talented team at Virgin Galactic at this inflection point in the company’s journey,” Colglazier said. “Like so many others, including hundreds of signed-up customers, I have been inspired by this purpose-driven, world-class brand and the incredible opportunity it offers to open space to change the world for good.”