Proteus Space Recruits Former Space Force CTIO to Board
Retired Major General Kim Crider has joined the Proteus Space Board of Directors to scale AI-native autonomous digital engineering for national security missions.
Strategic Realignment
Los Angeles-based aerospace firm Proteus Space has officially appointed retired U.S. Air Force Major General Kimberly “Kim” Crider to its Board of Directors. According to SpaceNews, the move transitions Crider from an advisory capacity—a role she held since 2023—to a primary leadership position as the company scales its AI-native spacecraft design operations.
Operational History
Crider arrives with over 35 years of high-level command experience in cyber, data, and space technology. She notably served as the first Chief Technology and Innovation Officer (CTIO) for the U.S. Space Force and the first Chief Data Officer for the U.S. Air Force. During her tenure, she managed science and technology portfolios exceeding $2.5 billion and spearheaded the "born digital" initiative for the nascent Space Force branch. She is also a founding partner at the consultancy Elara Nova.
Rapid Prototyping and Defense Contracts
Proteus Space utilizes a patent-pending autonomous digital engineering platform. Unlike traditional methods that force payloads onto standardized buses, the Proteus system designs high-fidelity spacecraft around specific mission parameters, reducing customization timelines from months to days.
The appointment follows a period of significant growth for the company. In late 2025, Proteus was designated as a prime awardee for the Missile Defense Agency’s SHIELD program, a critical component of the "Golden Dome" initiative. The firm currently services a client roster including NASA, the U.S. Space Force, and various intelligence agencies.
CEO David Kervin noted that Crider’s expertise in digital transformation will be central to executing mission-optimized spacecraft at "the speed of the threat."