WHO WE ARE
About Us
Vertex Aerospace is committed to providing expertise in engineering services that meets and where applicable exceeds our customer's requirements and expectations.
Vertex Aerospace strives to provide excellence in engineering services by placing emphasis on product quality, customer satisfaction while adapting to the changing needs of our clients and the industry.
Vertex Aerospace can accomplish these goals by developing the next generation of engineers through our proven mentoring process that we have acquired over 25 years engineering experience supporting NASA, DoD and Commercial programs.
Vertex Aerospace prides itself on providing a cost-effective solution to its customers by implementing an efficient management system that allows the company to be economically competitive in today's market where low cost and high efficiency are a commodity.
Our Team
Nicholas M. Teti
President/CEO
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, May 1985
University of Maryland at College Park. College Park, MD
Rommel N. Zara
Vice President/CTO
B.S. Aerospace Engineering, May 2000
University of Maryland at College Park, College Park, MD
Evan T. Alexander
Sr. Thermal Engineer
M.E. Aerospace Systems, December 2015
University of Maryland at College Park, College Park, MD
B.S. Aerospace Engineering, May 2011
University of Maryland at College Park, College Park, MD
Mark C. Aukerman
Jr. Thermal Engineer
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Aug 2021
University of Maryland at College Park, College Park, MD
Ethan T. Burbridge
Thermal Engineer
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, May 2018
University of Maryland at College Park. College Park, MD
Steven T. Cole
Thermal Engineer
M.S. (5/2021) and B.S. (12/2016) Mechanical Engineering
University of Maryland, Baltimore County, MD
Michael D. Commons
Sr. Thermal Engineer
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, May 2012
University of Maryland College Park, College Park, MD
Thomas "Rich" Dodge
Sr. Thermal Engineer
M.S. Aerospace Engineering, July 2015
University of Maryland at College Park. College Park, MD
B.S. Mechanical Engineering. July 2012
University of Delaware. Newark, DE
TRAVIS M. FRAZIER
Sr. Thermal Engineer
M.S. Mechanical Engineering, Dec 2013
University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Dec 2011
Texas A&M University, San Diego, College Station, TX
Jong S. Kim
Chief Thermal Engineer I
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, August 1994
University of Maryland at College Park, College Park, MD
SHANNON G. MACMASTER
Thermal Engineer
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, May 2020
University of Maryland at College Park, College Park, MD
Matthew R. Patsy
Thermal Engineer
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, May 2020
University of Maryland at College Park, College Park, MD
Santino V. Rosanova
Sr. Thermal Engineer
B.S. Physics, May 2012
Mary Washington College. Fredericksburg, VA
Jason A. Solimani
Sr. Staff Thermal Engineer
B.S. Aerospace Engineering, May 2006
Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech), Blacksburg, VA
Jordan L. Thompson
Sr. Thermal Engineer
M.S. (5/2013) and B.S. (5/2011) Mechanical Engineering
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech)
Past Experience
Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission (MMS)
The Vertex Aerospace thermal engineering team was chosen by NASA early in the MMS conceptual design phase. Over the years and through the life cycle of the MMS mission the thermal engineering team has grown and Vertex Aerospace continues to play a major role in the thermal design, analysis, implementation and testing of the MMS Thermal Control System (TCS).
TacSat-3
The Vertex Aerospace principal thermal engineers Mr. Teti and Mr. Zara while employed by ATK Space (formerly Swales Aerospace) provided thermal engineering expertise in the design, analysis at testing of the TacSat-3 thermal control system (TCS). Mr. Teti developed and presented the thermal design for the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) to the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) who awarded the competitive contract to ATK Space (formerly Swales Aerospace). Mr. Zara continued as the Product Design Lead (PDL) for the TacSat-3 TCS. As PDL Mr. Zara designed, analyzed, implemented and tested the final TacSat-3 TCS. The TacSat-3 satellite was successfully launched on May 19, 2009.
Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) Mission
The Vertex Aerospace principal thermal engineers Mr. Teti and Mr. Zara while employed by ATK Space (formerly Swales Aerospace) provided thermal engineering expertise in the design, analysis at testing of the THEMIS thermal control system (TCS). Mr. Teti developed and presented the conceptual thermal design for the NASA proposal. Following the award to ATK Space (formerly Swales Aerospace) Mr. Teti transitioned the Product Design Lead (PDL) role to Mr. Zara. As THEMIS PDL Mr. Zara designed, analyzed, implemented and tested the final THEMIS TCS. The constellation of five satellites, THEMIS was cessfully launched on February 17, 2007.
Earth Observing-1
The Vertex Aerospace principal thermal engineers Mr. Teti and Mr. Zara while employed by ATK Space (formerly Swales Aerospace) provided thermal engineering expertise in the design, analysis at testing of the EO-1 thermal control system (TCS). Following the award to ATK Space (formerly Swales Aerospace) Mr. Teti was assigned as the Product Design Lead (PDL) and as a engineering student Mr. Zara supported the EO-1 thermal analysis effort. As EO-1 PDL Mr. Teti was responsible for the entire EO-1 mission thermal subsystem life cycle. Mr. Teti and Mr. Zara analyzed, implemented and tested the final EO-1 TCS. The EO-1 satellite was successfully launched on November 21, 2000 and is still in operation today.