Michael Fortenberry

Michael Fortenberry is an accomplished aerospace and systems engineer with a strong background in specification, design, systems architecture, and risk management.

With a focus on high altitude lighter-than-air (LTA) platforms and systems, he has contributed significantly to projects for NASA and the Department of Defense, showcasing his expertise in autonomous control systems and flight hardware.

In addition to his work on LTA systems, Mr. Fortenberry possesses extensive experience in systems architecture, particularly in embedded real-time deterministic data acquisition/control systems and high-speed test and measurement systems.

He is well-versed in software development, showcasing proficiency in LabVIEW and leading teams in utilizing C/C++/C#, Ada, SQL, and TestStand for various projects.

His academic background includes a Master's degree in Systems Engineering from Southern Methodist University, Graduate studies in FEA and Reliability from the University of Texas at Tyler, and a Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering from Texas A&M University.

Throughout his career, Mr. Fortenberry has held notable positions such as Staff Engineer at Southwest Research Institute, VP Strategic Technology at G Systems, and Engineer and Group Leader at Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility.