Q&A with Todd Bridges, U.S. Government Business Development

Q: What excites you the most about working at a company like Apex?

Being part of a company that can fundamentally change the space market.  SpaceX changed space launch by producing rockets a scale. Apex is poised to do the same for satellite bus production.  The economies of scale and cost reductions from standardized production-line bus development will enable a major growth in access to space.  

Q: Why are you excited about space?

I grew up near Johnson Space Center and spent my early years wanting to be an astronaut.  During college, I realized that space flight was something that I wasn’t cut out for—but I continued to want to be a part of the cutting edge technology that the space program develops.  When I joined the Air Force, I was assigned to work in Air Force Space Command.  There I had the opportunity to operate and test some of the most advanced space equipment ever developed.  I also had the opportunity to work at NASA where I provided administrative support to the Air Force astronauts.  These experiences further expanded my desire to be a part of the space mission.  My final job in the Air Force was supporting the senior space leaders that were standing up the Space Force.  After my time in the service, I worked at Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems where I provided support to space missions.

Q: You are somewhat new here at Apex. What has surprised you the most so far?

The speed of operations. Everything moves very, very fast. I was very used to the glacial pace of government and large corporate bureaucracies—decisions that took weeks to months in my prior life, take place in seconds at Apex.  I am also surprised at my ability to influence both business and technical decision making; with astaff this small, it is possible to hear every voice and for anyone on the team to push productive changes.

Q: Tell us a bit about what you do in your free time.

I have three kids—my free time is taken up by driving them to figure skating and swim team practices, or on trips to see my college-aged daughter.  I also have a small wood working shop in my shed where I occasionally get to work on some projects.

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