Tom Zelibor

Thomas E. Zelibor is an accomplished senior executive, entrepreneur, and retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral with more than 40 years of leadership experience spanning national security, space, technology, telecommunications, and government and industry.
Tom has served as CEO of the Space Foundation, the premier nonprofit advocacy organization supporting the global space ecosystem, and as Chairman and CEO of Lightwave Logic, Inc., a publicly traded technology company focused on the research, development, and production of advanced, high-speed organic electro-optic materials for telecommunications, data center, and high-speed computing applications.
Previously, Tom served as President and CEO of Flatirons Solutions, a high-tech IT professional services and systems engineering company, where he provided strategic direction and oversaw business operations. He also served as a Vice President at Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) and as Dean of the College of Operational and Strategic Leadership at the U.S. Naval War College.
Throughout his career, Tom has advised senior government and industry leaders on complex challenges at the intersection of national security, critical infrastructure, technology, and innovation. His government service includes a 2021 appointment to the Department of Homeland Security’s Space Systems Critical Infrastructure Working Group and service on the Defense Innovation Board’s Space Advisory Committee. Tom served as Director of Global Operations at U.S. Strategic Command, Deputy for C4 Integration and Policy, and Deputy Chief Information Officer for the Department of the Navy. In these and other advisory roles, he provides strategic insight on issues affecting critical infrastructure owners and operators, the military and intelligence communities, and commercial industry.
A 1976 graduate of the United States Naval Academy with a bachelor’s degree in Oceanography, Tom retired from the Navy as a Rear Admiral and Naval Aviator. One of the defining assignments of his military career was as Commander, Task Force 50, where he led three U.S. carrier battle groups, two NATO carriers, nearly 60 additional U.S. and coalition ships, approximately 300 aircraft, and thousands of personnel conducting combat operations in the North Arabian Sea in support of operations in Afghanistan following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Tom has held board leadership positions with numerous public and private organizations and currently serves as an independent director of two companies. He also serves as a strategic investment advisor to a prominent New York–based private equity firm, advising on investment strategy, technology, and emerging opportunities.