Tory Bruno (born Salvatore Thomas Bruno on November 3, 1961) is an American aerospace engineer and business executive who has been serving as the President and Chief Executive Officer of United Launch Alliance (ULA) since August 2014. Under his leadership, ULA has transformed into a competitive powerhouse in the space launch industry, introducing innovative capabilities to make space launch more affordable and accessible.
Early Life and Education
Bruno was born in Monterey, California to Martha Scott Bruno (née Martin) and Thomas Salvatore Bruno, a commercial fisherman. He was raised by his maternal grandmother, Virginia Martin (née Krause), on her small ranch in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains in Amador County. From a young age, Bruno was fascinated by rocketry, inspired by watching the Moon landings. At age nine, he was already building his own model rockets using explosives extracted from old dynamite he found in the back of the barn.
Bruno graduated from Amador County High School and briefly attended Queen Anne High School in Seattle. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. During college, he worked as an astronomer’s assistant at the Lick Observatory, focusing on collecting spectra from distant galaxies. Bruno later completed graduate courses and management programs at Harvard University, Santa Clara University, the Wye River Institute, San Jose State University, and the Defense Acquisition University.
Career at Lockheed Martin
Bruno began his career at Lockheed Martin in 1984, starting as a summer intern in the quality assurance organization of the Missile Systems Division while still attending Cal Poly. After graduating, he returned to Lockheed as a structures designer, working primarily on the Trident I and II missiles. Over the next 30 years, Bruno took on roles of increasing responsibility across Lockheed’s missile and space programs.
He transitioned from engineering into management, overseeing critical defense and space launch systems. Bruno served as the vice president and general manager of the Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) and Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) programs. He also managed Lockheed’s responsibilities in the joint venture operating the UK’s Atomic Weapons Establishment.
Bruno’s last position at Lockheed Martin before joining ULA was as vice president and general manager of Strategic and Missile Defense Systems. In this role, he led teams responsible for the U.S. Navy’s Trident II D5 Fleet Ballistic Missile, U.S. Air Force’s ICBM reentry systems, and the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system.
Leadership at United Launch Alliance
In August 2014, Bruno was appointed President and CEO of United Launch Alliance, the joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin that provides launch services for U.S. national security and NASA missions. He took the helm at a critical juncture, as ULA faced increasing competition from new entrants like SpaceX, and political pressure over its use of Russian-made RD-180 engines.
Bruno launched a major restructuring initiative to shorten launch cycles, cut costs in half, and maintain ULA’s unprecedented 100% mission success rate. He spearheaded development of the next-generation Vulcan Centaur rocket, purpose-built for national security launches using American-made engines. Bruno’s leadership has enabled ULA to secure multi-billion-dollar competitive contracts and thrive through the challenging transition to a more competitive launch market.
Recognizing the importance of space to humanity’s future, Bruno is a tireless advocate for the industry. He is known for his legendary social media presence, sharing his passion for space technology and vision of self-sustaining human presence beyond Earth with a global audience.
Honors and Achievements
Bruno is an American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Honorary Fellow and member of the National Academy of Engineering. He has been honored with the Air Force Association’s John R. Alison Award, the American Astronautical Society’s Space Flight Award, the National Space Society’s Von Braun Award, and the International Astronautical Federation’s Von Karman Medal.
Bruno holds several patents in rocket technology and is the author of two books exploring medieval history through the lens of modern business management. He is a member of the National Space Council’s Users’ Advisory Group, providing insight to U.S. space policy. Bruno’s visionary leadership and advocacy have solidified his position as one of the world’s foremost experts on space launch and a key figure shaping the future of the industry.
Personal Life and Interests
Beyond his professional achievements, Tory Bruno is known for his diverse interests and engaging personality. He is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys hiking, camping, and exploring the wilderness. Bruno is also a passionate student of history, particularly medieval history, and has authored two books on the subject: “Templar Incorporated” and “Templar Incorporated: The Second Crusade”. These works draw parallels between the challenges faced by medieval military orders and modern business management practices.
Bruno is a dedicated family man, married to his wife Susan for over three decades. They have two adult children, a son and a daughter. Despite his busy schedule, Bruno makes time for his hobbies, which include building and launching model rockets, a passion he has maintained since childhood.
Advocacy and Outreach
Tory Bruno is widely recognized as a leading voice in the space industry, known for his active engagement with the public and his efforts to inspire the next generation of space pioneers. He maintains a strong presence on social media, particularly on Twitter, where he shares his insights on space technology, ULA’s missions, and his vision for the future of spaceflight. Bruno’s tweets often feature a mix of technical information, behind-the-scenes glimpses into ULA’s operations, and his trademark humor and enthusiasm for all things space-related.
In addition to his social media outreach, Bruno is a frequent speaker at industry conferences, university events, and public forums. He is passionate about educating the public on the importance of space exploration and the role of the private sector in advancing space capabilities. Bruno has testified before Congress on multiple occasions, providing expert testimony on topics such as national security space launch and the importance of maintaining a robust domestic launch industry.
Vision for the Future
Central to Tory Bruno’s vision for the future is his “CisLunar-1000” concept, a long-term plan for the economic development of space between Earth and the Moon. This ambitious roadmap outlines a phased approach to establishing a sustainable human presence in cislunar space, beginning with the deployment of critical infrastructure and progressing towards the establishment of self-sustaining colonies.
Under Bruno’s leadership, ULA is positioning itself as a key player in this vision, developing the advanced launch vehicles and in-space transportation systems necessary to support a thriving cislunar economy. The Vulcan Centaur rocket, with its high-performance upper stage and ability to launch large payloads to a variety of orbits, is a critical component of this strategy.
Bruno also emphasizes the importance of international collaboration and public-private partnerships in achieving this vision. He has been a strong advocate for NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustainable presence on and around the lunar surface. ULA is a key partner in this effort, providing launch services for critical missions such as the Peregrine lunar lander and the Dream Chaser spaceplane.
Conclusion
Tory Bruno’s leadership at United Launch Alliance, combined with his technical expertise, strategic vision, and passionate advocacy for space exploration, has established him as one of the most influential figures in the global space industry. His tireless efforts to advance space capabilities, inspire the next generation, and chart a course for humanity’s future in space have earned him widespread respect and admiration from colleagues, policymakers, and the public alike. As the space industry continues to evolve and grow, Bruno’s vision and leadership will undoubtedly play a critical role in shaping its future and ensuring that the benefits of space are realized for generations to come.