Inside the Rise of a $60B Space Force Organization with Alan Brechbill
September 23, 2026
What if the most advanced technology in the world still runs on relationships? In this episode of From the Top with Chad Hesters, host Chad Hesters sits down with Captain Alan Brechbill, a 28-year Navy intelligence veteran who helped architect the U.S. Space Force from a blank sheet of paper, to explore how you build consequential organizations in high-stakes environments, why influence matters more than authority when leading across organizational boundaries, and the critical role face-to-face relationships play in driving complex initiatives forward. Whether you're standing up a new division, navigating matrix leadership, or scaling operations in emerging markets, this conversation reveals the unglamorous truth behind building billion-dollar enterprises and why your next critical win might depend on a cup of coffee, not a process. Tune in to discover how servant leadership and strategic relationship-building can transform how you lead in an increasingly complex world.
Building a new military service from a blank sheet of paper is possible, and the leadership principles that made it work apply far beyond government.
In this episode of From the Top with Chad Hesters, host Chad Hesters sits down with Captain Alan Brechbill, a 28-year naval intelligence and space operations veteran, to explore how he helped establish the U.S. Space Force, led space operations for the Pacific Fleet, and built three major organizations from the ground up. Their conversation reveals how relationships, not processes, drive success in complex, high-stakes environments and why even the most advanced technological ecosystems depend on human trust.
What You'll Learn:
In this episode of From the Top with Chad Hesters, host Chad Hesters sits down with Captain Alan Brechbill, a 28-year naval intelligence and space operations veteran, to explore how he helped establish the U.S. Space Force, led space operations for the Pacific Fleet, and built three major organizations from the ground up. Their conversation reveals how relationships, not processes, drive success in complex, high-stakes environments and why even the most advanced technological ecosystems depend on human trust.
What You'll Learn:
- How to prioritize organizational infrastructure from day one: When building from scratch, tackle HR and logistics before operations; the unglamorous foundation determines whether ambitious strategies actually execute.
- Why relationships trump processes in high-tech environments: Advanced automation and workflows cannot replace the face-to-face trust required to navigate bureaucratic bottlenecks, secure resources, and gain buy-in from stakeholders you don't directly command.
- The "coalition of the willing" leadership model: When you lack formal authority, influence becomes currency. Building cross-functional alliances requires inconvenient time zones, long hours, and the willingness to ask for help, not demand it.
- How to translate vision into action under extreme constraints: Building the Space Force with no dedicated budget, inherited programs, and competing service interests required defending programs strategically and speaking honestly about what's truly hard.
- The exponential opportunity in commercial space: 79% of the $630 billion global space economy is now commercial, not government-driven, signaling where talent, investment, and innovation are concentrating over the next five years.
- Why STEM backgrounds matter, but leadership instinct matters more: You don't need an advanced degree in orbital mechanics to lead space operations, but you must be willing to learn quickly, speak credibly with experts, and earn trust through authentic humility.
About the Guest(s)
Captain Alan Brechbill (Ret.) is a maritime space officer and decorated intelligence professional with 28 years of service in the United States Navy, bringing deep expertise in national security, geopolitical strategy, and space operations. As a founding member of the U.S. Space Force and leader of multiple ground-floor organizational initiatives, Brechbill has pioneered frameworks for building high-impact teams within complex government structures while navigating coalition leadership across the defense and commercial sectors. His career spans intelligence analysis, special operations support, diplomatic service as a Naval Attaché in London, and strategic space policy—positioning him at the intersection of government innovation and commercial space industry growth. In this episode, Brechbill shares candid insights on entrepreneurial leadership within federal bureaucracy, the power of relationship-driven decision-making in high-stakes environments, and the explosive growth opportunities emerging across the $1.2 trillion global space economy, offering strategic guidance for C-suite leaders navigating organizational transformation and cross-sector partnerships.
Quotes
“You can have the greatest process in the world and create the best automated workflow possible. But if you don't have the relationship in place to get through the one or two sticking points, it doesn't matter.” - Alan Brechbill
"It doesn't happen during those core hours. It is working, you know, twenty-four seven, three sixty-five, and it's no joke when they say that." - Alan Brechbill
"There's nothing like looking someone in the eye or talking to them face to face, especially when you're dealing with complex problems." - Alan Brechbill
"We're not gonna take a carbon copy. We're not gonna cut and paste, replace air with space, and turn that work in. We're gonna rely on our experiences and figure things out." - Alan Brechbill
"Commercial industry has basically taken that, invested it, and run with it. So outside of GPS, most of the satellite communications that folks listening to this podcast are probably touching space." - Alan Brechbill
"Space is truly inspiring. You go outside at night, and you look up, and you see the stars, and you wonder, wow, there's billions and billions of stars and planets and things that are out there." - Alan Brechbill
"You have to be able to say that this part is really hard or, in my case, you have to be able to ask, please can you help us?" - Alan Brechbill
"It doesn't happen during those core hours. It is working, you know, twenty-four seven, three sixty-five, and it's no joke when they say that." - Alan Brechbill
"There's nothing like looking someone in the eye or talking to them face to face, especially when you're dealing with complex problems." - Alan Brechbill
"We're not gonna take a carbon copy. We're not gonna cut and paste, replace air with space, and turn that work in. We're gonna rely on our experiences and figure things out." - Alan Brechbill
"Commercial industry has basically taken that, invested it, and run with it. So outside of GPS, most of the satellite communications that folks listening to this podcast are probably touching space." - Alan Brechbill
"Space is truly inspiring. You go outside at night, and you look up, and you see the stars, and you wonder, wow, there's billions and billions of stars and planets and things that are out there." - Alan Brechbill
"You have to be able to say that this part is really hard or, in my case, you have to be able to ask, please can you help us?" - Alan Brechbill
"Despite the advances that we're gonna make in AI or automation, it's gonna be the one person who's gonna push the button who's not gonna do it based on a stranger or an email address or someone that they don't know." - Alan Brechbill
"It's all about building those relationships, and that's kind of like foundational on trust. And it doesn't happen necessarily from working nine to five." - Alan Brechbill
"You may not have an advanced degree in orbital mechanics, but you pick it up pretty quickly, and at least you can speak with the technical experts." - Alan Brechbill
"It's all about building those relationships, and that's kind of like foundational on trust. And it doesn't happen necessarily from working nine to five." - Alan Brechbill
"You may not have an advanced degree in orbital mechanics, but you pick it up pretty quickly, and at least you can speak with the technical experts." - Alan Brechbill
Episode Highlights
- [00:09:21] Prioritize Infrastructure Over Operations When Building from Scratch – Captain Alan Brechbill explains why the U.S. Space Force began with administrative and logistics functions rather than tactical operations. His team built HR, finance, budgeting, and organizational infrastructure first to protect resources and create a foundation for growth. For founders and CEOs, the lesson is clear: strengthen the systems that support your organization before expanding technical or operational teams.
- [00:20:25] Lead Through Influence When Formal Authority Doesn't Exist – Brechbill shares how he shifted from a traditional military command structure to a "coalition of the willing," working across organizations where he had no direct authority. He invested heavily in relationships, including traveling across the country for face-to-face meetings and asking others for help; for leaders in decentralized or matrix organizations, influence, trust, and relationship-building can be more powerful than formal authority.
- [00:24:49] Frame Future Capability Needs as "Early to Need" Through In-Person Conversation – Brechbill describes the challenge of securing resources three to four years before their need becomes obvious. He found that difficult conversations about long-term capabilities were most effective in person, where stakeholders could openly discuss priorities and constraints. For leaders seeking early investment, relationship-building and personal credibility can make the difference between an idea being delayed and a capability being ready when needed.
- [00:12:50] Understand the Market Shift from Government to Commercial Dominance in Your Industry – Brechbill highlights the space economy's projected growth from $630 billion to $1.2 trillion by 2035, with commercial enterprise now driving most of the industry. Government may have provided the initial foundation, but private companies are increasingly scaling and monetizing those capabilities. For business leaders, understanding this shift is critical when evaluating partnerships, investments, talent, and new market opportunities.
- [00:16:55] Build Organizational Architecture Around Business Function, Not Military Hierarchy – Brechbill rejected traditional military structures when building the Space Force, instead adopting a corporate-style model with CEO, COO, and CTO functions. The structure remained effective as the organization grew to nearly 10,000 people and a $60 billion budget. For C-suite leaders, the takeaway is to design organizational structures around strategic priorities rather than simply inheriting legacy hierarchies.
- [00:28:08] Build STEM and Technical Literacy into Your Leadership Pipeline, But Don't Require It for Entry – Brechbill explains how he developed technical expertise despite having a business and international relations background. By learning from subject-matter experts and staying curious, he gained enough technical literacy to lead effectively without becoming a technical specialist himself. For talent leaders, this suggests creating pathways for strong business leaders to develop technical skills rather than limiting leadership opportunities to candidates with specific degrees.
Episode Resources:
LinkedIn Profiles:
- Alan Brechbill: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abrechbill
- Chad Hesters: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadhesters
Websites & Organizations:
- US Space Force: https://www.spaceforce.mil
- US Pacific Fleet: https://www.cpf.navy.mil
- US Space Command: https://www.spacecom.mil
- Dauntless Space Magazine: https://dauntlessspace.org
Mentioned Programs & Initiatives:
- Artemis Program – NASA's lunar exploration and Mars preparation initiative
- GPS (Global Positioning System) – Defense-funded satellite navigation system
- Voyager One – Space exploration mission launched in the 1970s
Mentioned Organizations & Companies:
- SpaceX – Commercial space launch and satellite services
- Rocket Lab – Commercial space launch provider
- United Launch Alliance (ULA) – Commercial space launch provider
- Raytheon – Defense and aerospace prime contractor
- Lockheed Martin – Defense and aerospace prime contractor
- Boeing – Defense and aerospace prime contractor