Kymeta’s Leadership Shift Signals Focus on Defense Applications for Satellite Communications

In a significant leadership transition announced on November 10, 2025, Redmond, Washington-based Kymeta has appointed Manny Mora as its new president and CEO, effective immediately. This strategic move underscores the satellite communications company’s intensified focus on military and defense applications of its innovative technology. Founded in 2012 with significant backing from Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, Kymeta has been developing groundbreaking metamaterials-based satellite communications systems that are increasingly finding their way into critical defense infrastructure. The appointment of Mora, who brings nearly four decades of experience with General Dynamics Mission Systems, where he led Space and Intelligence Systems operations, signals Kymeta’s serious commitment to expanding its footprint within defense and intelligence communities. His extensive background in navigating relationships with the Department of Defense, intelligence agencies, and homeland security positions him ideally to accelerate the company’s growth in these critical sectors.

Kymeta’s technology represents a significant advancement in how organizations maintain communications in challenging environments. Unlike conventional satellite systems, Kymeta’s antennas utilize metamaterials that can be steered electronically rather than mechanically, eliminating moving parts that typically create points of failure in harsh conditions. This innovation enables their hybrid cellular-satellite terminals to maintain reliable communications in remote areas where traditional infrastructure is unavailable or compromised – a capability particularly valuable for military operations, emergency response teams, maritime applications, and disaster scenarios like wildfire management. The company’s Osprey u8 terminal technology was recently selected for the U.S. Army’s Next Generation Command and Control pilot program, demonstrating the military’s confidence in Kymeta’s ability to provide multi-orbit satellite communications for critical operations. This achievement represents not just a business win but a validation of the company’s technological approach in addressing real-world communications challenges.

The timing of Mora’s appointment coincides with transformative changes sweeping across the aerospace and defense sectors. Traditional approaches to communications, command, and control are being rapidly reshaped by advances in software systems, autonomous platforms, satellite technologies, and artificial intelligence applications. Nicole Piasecki, executive chair of Kymeta’s board of directors, highlighted this context when announcing Mora’s appointment, noting that “as the defense community modernizes its command-and-control infrastructure, Kymeta is uniquely positioned to deliver mobile SATCOM solutions that perform in the most demanding environments.” She emphasized that Mora brings “operational depth and strategic clarity to scale our impact and strengthen our role as a trusted partner to national security customers.” This perspective underscores how Kymeta views its technology not merely as a product but as a critical component in evolving defense and security frameworks.

Mora’s appointment represents a pivotal transition in Kymeta’s leadership, as he replaces Rick Bergman, who had only assumed the CEO position in April 2024. Bergman, a former executive vice president at semiconductor giant AMD, had a relatively brief tenure at the company’s helm. While the company hasn’t elaborated on the reasons behind this quick succession, it suggests a deliberate strategic pivot toward leadership with deeper defense sector experience as military applications become increasingly central to Kymeta’s business model. Upon accepting his new role, Mora emphasized the transformative potential of the company’s technology, stating, “Our breakthrough technology is already transforming how defense and government customers communicate across domains.” This statement reflects both pride in existing accomplishments and ambition for expanding the company’s impact across military and government applications where reliable communications can be literally mission-critical.

Beyond its military applications, Kymeta’s technology addresses significant communications challenges across numerous sectors where maintaining connectivity in remote or difficult conditions is essential. Emergency services teams responding to natural disasters often struggle with communications infrastructure that has been damaged or destroyed – precisely when coordination becomes most critical. Maritime operations face similar challenges when vessels move beyond the reach of conventional cellular networks. Wildfire management teams need reliable communications in remote areas to coordinate responses effectively. In all these scenarios, Kymeta’s ability to switch seamlessly between cellular and satellite connectivity provides a resilient communications backbone. As climate change increases the frequency and severity of natural disasters, and as more human activity pushes into remote areas, the demand for such resilient communications solutions is likely to grow significantly across both government and private sector applications.

With approximately $400 million in total funding secured to date, including an $84 million round raised in 2022, Kymeta appears well-positioned financially to execute on its growth strategy under Mora’s leadership. This substantial financial backing reflects investor confidence in both the company’s technological approach and the growing market for advanced satellite communications systems. As satellite technology continues to evolve rapidly – with new constellations being deployed and capabilities expanding – Kymeta’s software-defined antennas offer the flexibility to adapt to these changing networks without hardware replacements. This adaptability represents a significant advantage in a field where technology cycles are accelerating. Under Mora’s leadership, with his deep understanding of defense procurement processes and requirements, Kymeta seems positioned to capitalize on these advantages while navigating the complex landscape of government contracting that will likely drive much of their near-term growth. The company appears to be at an inflection point where its innovative technology meets growing defense and security needs, with leadership now aligned to maximize this opportunity.