Our Leadership Team
Mike Pryor, Executive Director
Mike, a retired Air Force Colonel, is a national security expert with over 30 years of experience leading and innovating across the Departments of Defense and Energy, as well as the Intelligence Community. Throughout his distinguished career, he has spearheaded interagency task forces, commanded large organizations, and guided high-performance teams producing in direct support of 4-star, presidential and congressional requirements. His commercial work has included supporting defense industrial base re-vitalization and advanced multi-domain concepts. His work has consistently delivered cutting-edge solutions and technologies to warfighters worldwide, with a particular focus on advanced space-based systems for communication, surveillance, and operational superiority. Mike’s contributions have played a critical role in enhancing national security. He is grateful to be part of the winning team at the Texas Space Coalition, where he continues to leverage space technologies and innovation for the nation's defense and beyond.
Matt "VP" Van Parys, Deputy Executive Director
VP, a retired Air Force Colonel, brings three decades of experience in the National Security realm, including extensive work affiliated with Space Command, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), Special Operations, and Cybersecurity. His expertise spans the strategic integration of space-based assets reconnaissance platforms, and real-time space communication systems, all critical for supporting defense operations and global security missions. Having served on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon, he understands how to efficiently and effectively communicate and coordinate space operations at the highest levels of national security. VP has led organizations ranging from small, elite teams to large groups nearing a thousand personnel, driving mission success through his mastery of space technology and operational security protocols. His calm, empowering, and decisive leadership ensures our personnel are energized, focused, and prepared to deliver innovative solutions to our partners, utilizing the full spectrum of space systems to maintain operational dominance.
Space Tech El Paso
Join us at the premier Space-oriented Conference in West Texas. Texas Space Coalition is proud to present the first annual Space Tech El Paso (STEP) 2025! Don't miss out!