When Don Thoma ’83 arrived at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, he was driven by a systems-level curiosity—how things worked, how teams aligned, and how big ideas became reality. That same mindset now drives his work as CEO and co-founder of Aireon, a company that’s redefining global air traffic surveillance using space-based technology. But at the heart of it all, Don leads with balance: a commitment to bold innovation paired with an unwavering safety-first culture. His story is one of technical vision, entrepreneurial grit, and building a company where doing things right is just as important as doing things new.
That curiosity would take him from Troy, New York, to the forefront of global satellite communications and entrepreneurship. Today, Don is the CEO and co-founder of Aireon, a company that’s transforming how we track aircraft across the globe using space-based technology. And it all started with systems thinking, a passion for innovation, and leadership rooted in collaboration and trust.
Engineering Curiosity Meets Real-World Leadership
Drawn to RPI for its focus on technology and innovation, Don pursued aerospace engineering with a deep curiosity for how systems work holistically. While much of the curriculum leaned theoretical, he found his stride in senior year when control theory and systems design suddenly clicked.
“That was my big ‘aha’ moment,” he says. “I didn’t just want to understand a specific technology—I wanted to see how it all fit together.”
Outside the classroom, Don’s leadership skills were sharpened in Air Force ROTC and through his role as house manager at the Rensselaer Society of Engineers. Both experiences taught him how to lead teams—even without authority—manage operations, and build buy-in among peers. Looking back, he credits those experiences for laying the foundation of his leadership philosophy: influence through collaboration.
From Launch Pads to Startups
After serving in the U.S. Air Force launching satellites, Don joined a startup called Orbital Sciences, helping a team of 20 engineers design and launch a new kind of rocket. The experience lit the spark for entrepreneurship.
“That kind of engagement—where everyone knew their part and delivered—it taught me the power of a focused, committed team.”
After earning his MBA at Harvard, Don went on to lead sales and marketing at ORBCOMM, cold-calling clients and developing entirely new market verticals—before the internet and email were tools of the trade.
“It was old-school hustle. You had to dig in, read trade magazines, pick up the phone, and just figure it out.”
Founding Aireon: Vision, Systems Thinking, and Cultural Alignment
In 2011, Don co-founded Aireon, an ambitious venture that uses Iridium’s global satellite constellation to provide real-time aircraft tracking. But creating Aireon wasn’t just a technical leap—it was a leadership one.
“As CEO, I had to bring together everything I’d learned—from systems thinking at RPI to leading teams in startups and fundraising in the corporate world.”
What made Aireon successful wasn’t just its innovation, but its culture. Don emphasized the importance of hiring not only for skill, but for mindset.
“We spend a lot of time in the hiring process talking about culture fit,” Don says. “We want people who are collaborative, mission-driven, and ready to take ownership.”
But for a company at the forefront of global aviation safety, culture isn’t just about collaboration—it’s about responsibility.
“We are fundamentally a safety company,” Don explains. “Every decision we make has to reflect that. Our tech can’t just be cutting-edge—it has to be reliable, robust, and proven.”
That mindset shapes how Aireon balances forward-thinking innovation with its core mission of global aviation safety. Employees are encouraged to think creatively, challenge assumptions, and improve systems—but always with a clear understanding that nothing is more important than safety.
“We want people to push boundaries,” Don says, “but we also instill a mindset where everyone owns safety. It's not just a department—it’s embedded into every role, every project.”
As the company grew from a handful of employees to more than 150 people across multiple continents, that clarity of purpose helped shape a resilient, high-performance culture where innovation thrives—but never at the cost of trust or safety.
“My leadership style has evolved. When we were three people, you did everything. Now, it’s about enabling others—hiring experts, trusting them, and aligning everyone around a shared mission.”
Lessons for Students: Take the Leap
Don’s advice to students? Be the one who steps in.
“There are always more problems than people to solve them. So don’t wait. Offer a solution. Get involved. Be curious.” Whether you’re launching satellites, running a student club, or building your first startup, Don’s journey shows how far systems thinking, perseverance, and thoughtful leadership can take you.
On Systems Thinking:
“I didn’t just want to understand a single technology—I wanted to understand how it all fit together.” – Don Thoma ’83
On Building Culture:
“We hire for mindset as much as skill. We want people who take ownership, collaborate well, and align with our mission.”
On Leadership Growth:
“My job today is about building a team and trusting them to lead. That starts with hiring people who believe in the mission.”
On Advice to Students:
“There are always more problems than people to solve them. Be the one who steps in.”