Our Team.

Jeffrey Max is a serial entrepreneur with a proven track record in technology, aerospace and lunar missions. Having secured over $850 million in growth capital and achieving several nine-figure exits, Jeffrey's expertise lies in leading high-growth companies through phases of rapid scaling and innovation. As CEO, his focus is on resource allocation, strategic partnerships, and guiding MP towards achieving its operational mission and financial goals. Jeffrey's leadership is pivotal in navigating the complexities of the space industry, driving technological advancements, and fostering a culture of excellence and resilience.

Samuel has a formal background in theoretical physics, deep space analytics and big data with NASA’s Hubble Telescope and JPL. Additionally Samuel brings  8+ years of veteran experience within the data information security space developing immutable ledger systems with broad analytical and satellite applications. He has been a leading voice and researcher understanding lunar isotope behavior with subsequent patents on extraction technology and methodology. Samuel brings a wealth of expertise behind the technology, integration, and strategies that bridge the gap between deep tech and the aerospace industry. As CTO of Magna Petra, Samuel will lead and develop the technical architecture and strategy, pushing MP to the bleeding edge of aerospace, exploring and building on the frontier of the new space economy.

Hunter Williams's diverse expertise spans AI, deep tech business development, private equity, and start-up growth. His background in forming and scaling startups, coupled with his deep understanding of blockchain and AI technologies, positions him as a key driver of MP's operational strategy. Hunter's role as COO involves overseeing the financial planning, deal structuring, and strategic growth initiatives. His experience in legal and compliance further strengthens the company's position in navigating the regulatory landscape of space operations. Hunter's leadership is pivotal in securing investments, managing complex projects, and ensuring MP's growth trajectory aligns with its ambitious goals.

Stanley Bishop, an industry leading mathematician and machine learning scientist, brings a decade of experience in developing AI-driven technologies for scientific research. At MP, he leads the development of lunar simulations and nuclear fusion modeling, utilizing AI to optimize mining operations and resource analysis. His work not only contributes to the efficiency and success of lunar missions but also opens avenues for MP to license AI technologies, creating additional revenue streams. Stanley's expertise is central to MP's innovation in AI, supporting the company's mission to harness lunar resources effectively.

Erik Franks brings a wealth of experience from his tenure as CEO of Cislune, a pioneer in lunar mining technology, where he led the company to win multiple NASA STTR and SBIR awards. His background in aerospace, particularly at Masten Space Systems, has equipped him with critical insights into lunar operations and hardware development. As CIO, Erik spearheads the research and development efforts at MP, focusing on the innovation of lunar mining technologies and ensuring the scalability of operations on the lunar surface. His leadership is instrumental in maintaining MP's competitive edge in technology and innovation.

While at NASA he led the Agency’s work in rocket blast effects for human-class missions. Helped lead and develop NASA’s technology roadmap for planetary surface technologies. He co-founded NASA’s bi-annual Workshop on Granular Materials in Lunar and Martian Exploration and is a founding member of the ASCE Technical Committee for Regolith Operations, Mobility and Robotics. He was selected as Kennedy Space Center NASA Scientist/Engineer of the Year for 2011. He received the astronaut’s Silver Snoopy award in 2011 and NASA’s Silver Achievement Medal in 2014. He was selected by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) aerospace division for the Outstanding Technical Contribution Award of 2016. He became a NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Fellow in 2019.