Julie Van Kleeck - TMG new Advisory Board MemberJulie Van Kleeck is Aerojet Rocketdyne’s Vice President of the Advanced Space and Launch Business Unit. She is responsible for space and launch propulsion and power, research, technology development and product development programs, including AR1. Her program and technology responsibilities include the company’s Space Launch System Propulsion (SLS), Orion propulsion, Commercial Crew propulsion and power, advanced electric propulsion, the International Space System power system, as well as AFRL and DARPA programs. She also oversees the company’s additive manufacturing, advanced materials, nontoxic propellant, Bantam engine technology, modular small satellite and nuclear propulsion and power technology efforts.

Ms. Van Kleeck joined Aerojet in 1981 and was appointed to her present position in June 2013. Previously, she was the vice president of the Space and Launch Business Unit, where she managed all of the company’s in-space and launch propulsion technology, development and production programs.

She began her career in systems engineering and later moved to rocket system product development and has demonstrated experience in virtually all forms of rocket propulsion technology and their applications. She has been instrumental in the development of leading-edge rocket propulsion technology and products, including a number of missile defense, launch vehicle and spacecraft propulsion systems – many of which are in production today at Aerojet Rocketdyne.

Ms. Van Kleeck earned her Bachelor of Science degrees in Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering from the University of California and has extensive “hands-on” experience. She has received numerous technical awards from Aerojet Rocketdyne, GenCorp and outside organizations. She is very active in Aerojet Rocketdyne’s outreach and advocacy efforts for STEM and Women in Aerospace programs. She is currently the executive sponsor of the company’s “Women in Network” (WIN) organization, an AIAA Associate Fellow, the co-chair of the AIAA Corporate Member Committee, and a Propulsion and Energy Executive Steering Committee member. She also is a past board member of the Aerospace Museum of California and a current member of the European Space Propulsion board.

Ms. Van Kleeck resides in Folsom, California with her husband and extended family. She is an avid skier and runner. Julie A. Van Kleeck Vice President Advanced Space and Launch Business Unit