Executive Experience | Constance O'Brien | Aerospace and Defense | Chief Operating Officer

Constance is an exceptional executive. During her career at the company she quickly rose through the ranks.

Constance oversaw many functional areas of the business, including finance and accounting, business development, corporate governance, marketing, project site operations and human resources.

Constance has the highest ethical standards, is extremely hard working, and highly intelligent.

Carlos Garcia

CEO and Owner of KIRA

Executive Experience & Roles

20 years of executive leadership throughout an array of products from cyber warfare software to space infrastructure, and services from professional expertise to human spaceflight, allow me to quickly and effectively grow any organization.

I've managed every functional area within a company, including strategic planning and strategy management. I've effectively led and scaled operations for.

I've institutionalized strategy, implemented ERPs, resolved long-standing product and service delivery issues, established lean processes and procedures, created dashboards, and brought products as well as companies to market.

I've led operations and program management for several of the DoD's largest, most complex, mission critical programs and installations.

IDS Cyber_edited_edited_edited_edited_edited.jpg

Axiom Space

Building Era-Defining Space Infrastructure

Axiom Space's mission is bold: to build era-defining space infrastructure that drives exploration and fuels a vibrant space economy for the benefit of every human, everywhere. Axiom has launched a movement that will transform humanity’s relationship with space and unlock endless possibilities for generations to come.

The vision is clear: to Transcend Earth and create opportunities that redefine the limits of what is possible. Whether it’s developing the first commercial space station, enabling groundbreaking research, or opening new doors for space exploration, Axiom is setting the stage for a future beyond imagination.

Operationalize Strategy & Drive Performance

Aligned goals and strategies, drove operational excellence, and implemented measures allowing for scale and growth. Directed and executed strategy. Created operational, financial, and strategic frameworks. Transformed organization despite extreme cash constraints, reductions in staff and budget, and culture obstacles. 265% growth.

Four business lines, $625M in revenue (75% of business lines were pre-revenue), 900+ employees in 5 countries; 12 direct reports.

Led strategic planning and management, company wide performance, special projects, human resources, information technology, legal, contracts, internal communications, procurement, security (physical & FCL) facilities, and construction management.

Led $2.5B aerospace engineering and space infrastructure portfolio

$350M equity raise. Negotiated $2B in contracts, $400M in materials, and $480M in services.
Won 8 contracts totaling $457M, delivered 100% of milestones on time, and sold every private astronaut seat on 3 missions within 11 months, by executing the strategic plan.
Reduced burn rate 37% during fundraising crunch. Eliminated duplicate roles across adjacent lines. Aligned capex, opex, hiring, and contractors with deliverables. Extended cash runway.
Turned around distressed $25M investment deal with Prada. Negotiated stock purchase and design agreements, rebuilt trust, and closed funding during a cash crunch.
Spearheaded build out of infrastructure, creating a scalable foundation for finance, enabling growth from $235M to $625M. Streamlined processes and integrated technology, minimizing SG&A increases.

IDS International

National Security & Defense Technology

The nature of conflict continuously evolves as new and nontraditional actors emerge to threaten global safety and stability.

IDS operates globally, in uncertain environments, offering innovative multidisciplinary services. Training and technical services, expeditionary support services, and cyber and information warfare for a variety of agencies comprise our core divisions.

Central to this, is operating in the most challenging conflict zones around the world. IDS is dedicated to their customer’s mission, using industry leading technologies coupled with proven methodologies, to anticipate and prepare for twenty-first century conflict.

Operationalize Strategy & Drive Performance

Engaged by CEO to solve scalability challenges, propel growth (organic and via acquisitions), and prepare the company for exit. Advised CEO and served as their proxy. Directed all aspects of strategy, operations, and finance. Grew organization 7x.

Profit and loss responsibility for five business lines, 1,500+ employees, 11 subsidiaries, and 3 joint ventures; 15 direct reports.

Led strategic planning, program operations, finance and accounting, human resources, information technology, legal, contracts, financial planning and analysis, business intelligence, procurement, marketing, corporate governance, and compliance.

Cyber Security Cyber and Information Warfare

Led $2.2B portfolio of 25+ USG mission critical programs

Grew largest division 120% in 9 months, expanding into 8 countries. Continued to deliver similar year-over-year increases for the next 4 years.
Bolstered CPARs evaluations from 35% to 100% Excellent, in 6 months, by deploying service delivery and satisfaction framework.
Implemented strategy transitioning SMEIR™ from social media replication to a integrated offensive and defensive cyber range. MVP built and tested within 3 months, with only 4 developers.
Landed $60M in contract wins within strategic customer sets. Transitioned from pre-revenue to $3M per year in 8 months.
Increased profitability 28% across all programs by restructuring operations, negotiating vendor BPAs, creating centers of excellence, and deploying automation technologies.
Transitioned from 15%-win rate to 75%-win rate, within 9 months by shoring up disparate business development and proposal processes.

KIRA

National Security & Defense Technology

The nature of conflict continuously evolves as new and nontraditional actors emerge to threaten global safety and stability.

IDS operates globally, in uncertain environments, offering innovative multidisciplinary services. Training andtechnical services, expeditionary support services, and cyber and information warfare for a variety of agencies comprise our core divisions.

Grow Revenue and Drive Operational Excellence

Recruited by CEO to manage special projects. Rapidly promoted to Senior Vice President after successfully increasing revenue and improving margins. Executed strategic growth initiatives and drove operational excellence.

P&L responsibility for 900+ employees, 8 portfolio companies, 2 joint ventures; 10 direct reports.

Managed every aspect of the company including marketing, finance, and operations.

Led $1.5B portfolio of 10+ DoD mission critical installations

Delivered on time and under budget while earning “Excellent” ratings on 94% of CPARS.
Yielded $1.1B pipeline of qualified opportunities within an 18-month horizon. Submitted $620M in proposals, achieving a 70%-win rate, securing $435M in contract awards, in one year.
Successfully phased in $850M in programs. Negotiated contracts, purchased assets, hired great people, and established budgets, KPIs, and other metrics. Managed and reported against price proposal, budgets, and metrics.
Grew revenue 415% in 3 years. Entered 5 new markets and gained 6 key contracts. Accomplished without increasing support resources.
Increased labor productivity 25%, cut expenses 13%, and increased revenue 16%, in 9 months, turning around poorly estimated, inefficient projects.
Achieved 7.5x EBITDA multiple, 57% higher than top comparable sale when spearheading sale of the company.