Kristen Smith 
Voyager Technologies has appointed John Baum as executive vice president for strategy and advanced concepts.
What Experience Does John Baum Bring to Voyager?
Baum most recently served as vice president of business development at Vast, Voyager said Monday. From 2022 to 2024, he was the director of philanthropy for the Polaris program, supporting the Inspiration4 and Polaris Dawn missions and leading outreach efforts tied to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Baum previously was a senior resident fellow at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, where he hosted the “Aerospace Advantage” podcast.
His earlier career includes more than a decade in total serving in the U.S. Air Force, where he served as a Weapons School instructor, a Thunderbirds demonstration pilot, air dominance requirements chief, a strategic communications fellow, and media and opinion leader branch chief.
Baum holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He also earned a master’s degree in strategic communications from George Mason University.
Commenting on the appointment, Matt Kuta, Voyager president and co-founder, said Baum “brings a rare combination of operational credibility and strategic imagination.”
“He knows what it takes to build capability fast, adapt to shifting threats and deliver when it counts,” Kuta added.
What Is Baum’s Perspective on Voyager’s Abilities?
Speaking about his new role, Baum said that the space and defense sectors are entering a new era where speed is paramount, specifically mentioning the need for accelerated integration, capability delivery and decision-making. He noted that Voyager has built a “neo-prime” model and mentality designed to operate at this accelerated pace, allowing the company to tackle the most difficult problems and cutting-edge programs in aerospace and defense.
