Overview

Gender

male

Scott Smith is an Operating Partner with Bessemer and Chief Operating Officer of Iridium. Mr. Smith leads technology development and all ground and satellite operations for Iridium, including the Iridium NEXT initiative, Iridium's program to develop, build and launch its next-generation satellite constellation. Mr. Smith is also a member of Iridium’s Board of Directors.
Mr. Smith brings to Bessemer 30 years of experience managing large, complex commercial satellite programs. Prior to Iridium, Mr. Smith served for four years as chief operating officer of DigitalGlobe Inc., a commercial remote sensing satellite company, where he was responsible for the company's satellite and ground operations, engineering organization, and corporate and global expansion initiatives. During his tenure, he oversaw the development and launch of WorldView-1 and WorldView-2, the world's most sophisticated high-resolution imaging satellites.
From 1995-2005, Mr. Smith was a founder and served as executive vice president, sales, engineering and operations of Space Imaging Inc., which owned and operated IKONOS, the world's first one-meter resolution commercial imaging satellite. Mr. Smith's previous experiences include engineering and management roles at Lockheed Missiles and Space Company, including responsibility for spacecraft control products for the Iridium program at Lockheed from 1990-1994.
Mr. Smith holds a Bachelor of Science in aerospace engineering from Syracuse University and Master of Science in aeronautical/astronautical engineering from Stanford University.