Who We Are

Who We Are

GEOST develops and builds optical collection systems that provide operational advantage using data in, and from, space.

Within our specialties, Geost has extensive technical capabilities on par with large industry primes and provided at a lower cost. We are enabled by a small business mindset that is nimble and willingly tailors end-solutions to meet customer mission needs. While we pride ourselves with this agility, we have demonstrated the capability to scale up and meet high-rate production demands.

Geost is an operating unit of LightRidge Solutions, a parent company whose constituent businesses provide small, affordable and increasingly autonomous domain awareness and protection sensors, space electronics, and C4ISR Solutions.

GEOST and sister operating units Trident Systems and Ophir together have been solving customers’ mission critical space and airborne sensor and payload challenges for over 50 years.

Leadership

Rich Gray
President & General Manager

Sean Hanlen
VP of Growth & Strategy

Steve Schenk
Director of Terrestrial Business

Clay Cook
Director of Space Business

Kanoe Gantz
Director of Human Resources

Mike Kobos
VP of Growth & Strategy

Mission

Geost solves our customer’s difficult problems through cutting-edge ground and space-based sensor payloads and mission support solutions.

Vision

Geost is revolutionizing the space market with innovative and novel solutions for space and terrestrial missions.

Goals

Geost will continue to expand its mission impact by being a world-leading provider of solutions addressing survivability & resiliency, ISR, mission autonomy, and laser communications.

Community

Geost strives to be a valuable member of the local community through giving back where our employees live and work, with both time and resources. 

Geost maintains an active Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) committee which sponsors initiatives helpful to the community such as environmental responsibility programs, charitable works, and support of University of Arizona student capstone projects.

Why work with us? Our team is driven, talented and passionate.

Founded
in 2004

Industry
Leaders

Cutting Edge
Technology

Family
Organizational
Culture

View Open Positions
HR@GEOST.com

CONTACT

3855 W River ROAD
Tucson, AZ 85741

voice: (520) 789-7100
fax: (520) 308-5382

All Rights Reserved. Copyright ©2024 GEOST

Rich Gray
President & General Manager

Rich Gray is the President & General Manager of LightRidge Solutions’ GEOST operating unit, responsible for directing and overseeing the execution and growth of the business.  Rich joined GEOST in December 2022 from General Dynamics Mission Systems. Over a 26-year career at GD, he held roles ranging from engineering functional and project leadership through program management, and, most recently, operating unit leadership.  Rich provides GEOST with balanced, steady, servant leadership to help the team focus on efficient, predictable execution to meet business and customer commitments. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Alma College and an MBA from the University of Phoenix.

Sean Hanlen
VP of Growth & Strategy

Sean Hanlen is Vice President of Growth and Strategy at GEOST, responsible for aligning the company’s products and solutions to business opportunities and partnerships. Prior to joining GEOST, Sean served 21 years in the United States Air Force with assignments as a program manager at the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office and Space Systems Command, an operations command tour at the National Reconnaissance Office, and a staff officer in the front office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Policy and Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisitions.  Sean has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Steve Schenk
Director of Terrestrial Business

Steve Schenk is Director of the Terrestrial Business Area at GEOST, responsible for directing and overseeing the business area’s execution and growth.  Steve joined GEOST in September 2023 from Viasat.  Over a 32-year career, he has held roles ranging from program management, new business development, and most recently, was Viasat’s Space Line of Business Director.  Steve has significant and proven experience in effective program execution and new business development.  Steve holds a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from Kent State University.

Clay Cook
Director of Space Business

Clay Cook is the Director of the Space Business Area at GEOST, responsible for executing its programs to success and growth. He has over a decade of experience in several Intelligence Community and Department of Defense mission areas, including supporting Space Protection and Intelligence missions across space and ground platforms. Starting at GEOST in 2016 as a Systems Engineer, Clay helped the company grow by leading major capture and program execution opportunities. He holds Bachelors of Science in Industrial Systems Engineering and Computer Engineering from The Georgia Institute of Technology, as well as an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Kanoe Gantz
Director of Human Resources

Kanoe Gantz is Director of Human Resources at GEOST, providing strategic guidance and leadership for all aspects of the human resources function. Since joining GEOST in 2021, she has supported human resources operations, compensation and benefits, employee relations, culture development, and leadership training over the company’s fivefold employee population growth. Kanoe is passionate about guiding and growing employees through effective communication, relationship building, and a culture of accountability. Kanoe holds a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing from LeTourneau University and postbaccalaureate certificate in Human Resources.

Mike Kobos
VP of Growth and Strategy

Mike Kobos is Vice President of Growth and Strategy at GEOST, responsible for growing the company’s terrestrial and mission autonomous products and solutions portfolio. Mike joined GEOST in January 2023 and has 29 years of experience supporting National Security Space customers in various roles ranging from program management to new business development and strategic planning.  Prior to joining GEOST, Mike worked for 25 years at MCR Federal, supporting various customers at Space Systems Command and led SSC business development efforts for three years at Perspecta/Peraton.  Mike holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Southern California.