Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer at Special Aerospace Services
Dan Dumbacher is the Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer for Aurex. Aurex is a leader in space and defense engineering, hardware, and mission-critical communications technology. Prior to joining Aurex, Dumbacher served as the Chief Executive Officer of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). Dumbacher is also a Professor of Engineering Practice at Purdue University’s School of Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering.
Prior to Purdue, Dumbacher served as the Deputy Associate Administrator, Exploration Systems Development Division, Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters. In that capacity, he provided leadership and management as the Program Director for Exploration Systems Development, which included: the Space Launch System, Orion, and Ground Systems Development and Operations development and integration efforts. He led a national team of over 5,000, spanning all NASA centers and industry, and was responsible for a $3 billion annual budget.
During his career, he has received numerous awards and honors, including the coveted Silver Snoopy Award and the NASA Distinguished Service Medal. In 2015, Purdue recognized him with the Gustafson Teaching Award. In 2025, the Purdue College of Engineering recognized Dumbacher with the Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award. In 2024, the Women in Aerospace awarded him the Allyship Award.
Dumbacher earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. He has also completed the Senior Managers in Government program at Harvard University.
Dumbacher is a native of Indianapolis, Indiana. He and his wife Lee have three grown children.
