Meet the Leadership Team
Tobin Anthony, Ph.D
Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Tobin Anthony has over 35 years of experience in government, academia, and private industry. At NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center as well as Orbital Sciences Corporation, he was instrumental to the design and operation of attitude control systems for numerous civilian science and military space programs. As a systems engineer at Argon ST, he developed ground-based data systems for a DoD customer. Both in government and private industry, Tobin has led teams of analysts and engineers in the development of spacecraft systems and algorithms, as well as spacecraft system and subsystem acquisition. Tobin holds a BS in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Virginia, as well as an MS and PhD in Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.
Chris Costello
President
Mr. Chris Costello has over 30 years of innovative engineering and managerial experience as a contractor in the defense and aerospace industries serving in a variety of positions. He has managed engineering teams and a corporate division at a Fortune 500 company, and started his own consulting company prior to joining SSI. While with SSI, Chris has been solving problems and working with technical teams on national technical means programs as well as developing cutting edge satellite technology for a variety of customers. In addition to serving his engineering customers, Chris is in charge of SSI operations and has supervision over financial and contractual matters. He holds a BS in Mathematics from George Mason University and an MS in Engineering from Catholic University.
Melissa Wright
Vice President
Ms. Melissa Wright has over 25 years of experience in developing advanced space systems for military, civil, and commercial customers. She spent seven years at Orbital Sciences Corporation, gaining a solid systems engineering foundation as well as hands-on experience building and testing small satellites and launch vehicles. She then spent five years working on cutting edge technologies at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, including the groundbreaking Orbital Express satellite servicing program. After that, she worked on large classified space systems at the National Reconnaissance Office for three years, learning about these critical space capabilities upon which our nation’s security depends. She joined SSI in 2007, and has spent the years since then working with a diverse group of stakeholders on a wide range of challenging and innovative space projects. Melissa holds an SB in Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Richard Darrow
Vice President & Director, Commercial Systems Business Area
Mr. Richard Darrow has over 30 years of experience in the aerospace industry in the areas of launch vehicles and satellite development. His career spans working with the DoD, intelligence, NASA, and commercial communities. He has worked at McDonnell Douglas Space Systems, Boeing Space Systems, and Orbital ATK/Orbital Sciences prior to joining SSI in 2015. While at Orbital ATK/Orbital Sciences he served in several leadership roles including Program Director of Stage 1 of the Antares launch vehicle and Gladiator spacecraft, as well as Director of Engineering for several programs. Rich is an experienced leader and brings his unique expertise and capabilities in business development, program management, propulsion engineering, systems engineering, and integration and test to our customers. He holds a BS in Aerospace Engineering from Polytechnic Institute of New York University (NYU Tandon School of Engineering).
Andrew Sayles
Director, Intelligence Community Business Area
Mr. Andrew Sayles is an accomplished aerospace engineer with over 14 years of experience in developing advanced space solutions for commercial, Department of Defense, and Intelligence Community customers. He launched his career at Orbital Sciences Corporation as a structural analyst, rising to leadership roles at Orbital ATK, where he spearheaded the architecture and technical roadmap for the successful ESPAStar product line. In 2018, Andrew moved into advisory roles within the Intelligence Community, where he currently supports mission-critical space systems. His work directly contributes to U.S. National Security Space objectives, ensuring intelligence-gathering satellites are launched and operated effectively to support national defense. Andrew became the Director of Intelligence Community Business Area in 2024 and is committed to forging a team that can address today’s National Security challenges. Andrew earned his BS in Aerospace Engineering, graduating cum laude from the University of Michigan, and an ME in Systems Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University. He is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).
Scott Matsui
Director, Advanced Programs Business Area
Mr. Scott Matsui has over 14 years of experience in government and private industry developing advanced space capabilities for the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community. He spent the first decade of his career supporting the U.S. Air Force (now Space Force) in a variety of engineering and program management positions across the missile warning, launch, and special programs mission areas. He then joined the National Reconnaissance Office to lead critical Protect and Defend strategy, planning, and DoD/IC integration efforts at the National Space Defense Center. As SSI’s Director of Advanced Programs, Scott leads a diverse portfolio supporting specialized system development and mission operations for defense and intelligence customers. He holds a BS in Aerospace Engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles and an MS in Astronautical Engineering from the University of Southern California.
Duane Frist
Director, Innovation Systems Division
Mr. Duane Frist has over 25 years in the aerospace industry. He started his career as a Naval Aviator flying the SH-60B Seahawk. He then transferred to the Aerospace Engineering Duty Officer program where he specialized in satellite acquisition with multiple tours at the National Reconnaissance Office. His time at the NRO included serving as chief engineer of a communications satellite program as well as chief of radar technology development. In between tours at the NRO, he was the Future Capabilities lead for the Navy’s Multi-Mission Helicopter Program Office (PMA-299). Duane joined SSI in 2022 and became the Innovation Systems Division director in 2024. He holds a BS in Aerospace Engineering from Virginia Tech and a MS in Astronautical Engineering from the Naval Post Graduate School.
Wade “Teddy” Rushton
Director, Strategic Systems Division
Mr. Wade “Teddy” Rushton has over 10 years of experience in the defense industry. He currently serves as the Director of the Strategic Systems Division where he leads a high-caliber team of engineers and specialists. Before joining SSI, Teddy was a senior analyst, advising the development of strategic capabilities to benefit the warfighter. Prior to his tenure at SSI, he worked as a Weapons and Tactics Instructor, training carrier air wing personnel on the employment of tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs). Teddy’s career began in the U.S. Navy, where he served as a Naval Flight Officer and tactics instructor, specializing in the training of aircrew and the employment of assets across multiple services within the Department of Defense. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the Pennsylvania State University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Idaho. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a commitment to excellence, receiving honorable military service and individual excellence awards while serving in the U.S. Navy. His leadership and strategic vision continue to contribute significantly to the growth and success of SSI.
Sharon Anthony
Business Manager
Sharon Anthony has over 15 years experience in management and consulting and has held management positions with several healthcare consulting companies. She has managed numerous marketing and analysis teams throughout her career with a speciality in helping pharmaceutical companies bring valuable medicines to market. As SSI’s business manager, she is responsible for all of SSI’s contract administration, proposal efforts, and invoicing as well as managing the company’s day-to-day finances. Sharon holds a BA in Mathematics from the University of Virginia and an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin.
Krissy Rogers
Senior Talent Acquisition Recruiter
Krissy Rogers, SSI’s Senior Talent Acquisition Recruiter brings over 15 years’ experience hiring exceptional personnel in both the space and defense and cyber security industries. Krissy is no stranger to hard-to-fill roles and uses active and passive sourcing techniques to find the best candidates for each job. She began her career in telecommunications with Qwest and AOL before pivoting to recruiting and human resources within government contracting. Krissy provides a warm and thoughtful customer experience to candidates; advice and guidance to hiring managers; and talent acquisition strategy to leadership. As a veteran of the industry, Krissy also brings a strong knowledge of corporate compliance and federal hiring regulations to the company.