Centennial, Colo., (Aug. 17, 2026) – United Launch Alliance (ULA) today named veteran aerospace industry executive Mark Peller as its next president and chief executive officer effectively immediately. Prior to being named to the top position at ULA, he served as the chief operating officer responsible for the operations of the Atlas and Vulcan launch vehicle programs, including engineering, supply chain, production, launch, quality assurance, information systems, and overall program management and integration.

“This is an exciting time in the launch industry where there is unprecedented demand for access to space,” said Robert Lightfoot, president of Lockheed Martin Space and ULA board chair. “We see a strong future with continued growth for ULA and have tremendous confidence in Mark’s ability to lead this company.” 

Peller has been at ULA since its formation in 2006 and led the development of the Vulcan rocket from the inception of the program through its successful entry into service and certification for US government missions. 

“We completed a thorough, months-long process where both internal and external candidates were interviewed,” said Kay Sears, vice president and general manager of Space, Intelligence & Weapon Systems for Boeing as well as ULA board member. “Mark’s background coupled with his extensive knowledge of both ULA’s business and technical offerings, make him the best candidate to fill the CEO position.”

Peller began his career with Rockwell International in 1990 as a propulsion engineer supporting the Space Shuttle program. He joined The Boeing Company in 1996 when it acquired the aerospace and defense businesses of Rockwell. Peller moved to the Delta program in 1997 and held various technical and program management positions throughout the development and initial fielding of the Delta IV launch system.  After the formation of ULA, he served as the Chief Engineer for both the Delta II and IV launch vehicles.

“I am honored to take on this role leading a truly amazing team of people and appreciate the confidence the board has in me,” said Peller. “Over my nearly two decades with ULA, it is the important work we do for our customers that inspires me every day. ULA has a tremendous history of launching some of the nation’s most important national security and exploration missions and the future is limitless with the new capabilities and performance of our Vulcan rocket.”

Peller holds a Bachelor of Science degree in applied mechanics from the University of California, San Diego, a Master of Science degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Southern California and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of California, Irvine. 

Peller is succeeding interim CEO John Elbon who held this role since December 2025 and will be retiring at the end of the year following a 45-year career in the industry. 

“We appreciate John’s commitment to ULA and postponing his planned retirement last year to stay on as interim CEO to provide the company a smooth transition and time to conduct a thorough search and selection process for his successor as president and CEO,” said Lightfoot. 
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ULA is redefining what’s possible in space by providing innovative rocketry solutions for national security, NASA, and commercial space launches. Our rockets fly directly to the most challenging and distant orbits the nation requires, while delivering the most accurate payload insertions in the world and limitless orbital flexibility.

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