Astrotech

Executive Team

Executive Team

Thomas B. Pickens, III

Thomas B. Pickens, III

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
Mr. Pickens currently serves as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Astrotech Corporation (Nasdaq: ASTC) and has held that position since January 2007. Mr. Pickens also currently serves as CEO of the Astrotech subsidiaries Astrotech Technologies Inc, 1st Detect. AgLAB Inc., and BreathTech Corporation. From 1982 to 1984,...

Thomas B. Pickens, III

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
Mr. Pickens currently serves as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Astrotech Corporation (Nasdaq: ASTC) and has held that position since January 2007. Mr. Pickens also currently serves as CEO of the Astrotech subsidiaries Astrotech Technologies Inc, 1st Detect. AgLAB Inc., and BreathTech Corporation. From 1982 to 1984, Mr. Pickens was the founder and President of Beta Computer Systems, Inc.; from 1985 to 1995, founder and President of T.B. Pickens & Co.; from 1986 to 1988, founder and General Partner of Grace Pickens Acquisition Partners L.P.; from 1988 to 1989, founder and Managing Partner of Sumpter Partners. From 1988 to 1994, Mr. Pickens was the CEO of Catalyst Energy Corporation and CEO of United Thermal Corporation (NYSE), President of Golden Bear Corporation, President of United Hydro, Inc., President of Slate Creek Corporation and President of Eury Dam Corporation. From 1995 to 2003, Mr. Pickens was the founder and CEO of U.S. Utilities, The Code Corporation, Great Southern Water Corp., South Carolina Water & Sewer, Inc. and the founder and Managing Partner of Pickens Capital Income Fund L.P. From 2004 to 2006, he was the Co-Chairman of the Equity Committee during the bankruptcy of Mirant Corp. (Nasdaq: MIRKQ). Mr. Pickens is currently the Chairman of the Board of Astrotech Corporation, Astrotech Technologies, Inc., 1st Detect Corporation, AgLAB, Inc., and BreathTech Corporation. He also currently serves on the board of NaturalShrimp Incorporated (OTC: SHMP) and Chroma, Inc. Mr. Pickens was previously the Chairman of the Board of Xplore Technologies Corporation (Nasdaq: XPLR) until it was sold to Zebra Technologies (Nasdaq: ZBRA) in July 2018. He has served as the Chairman of the Board of Astrotech Space Operations, Inc., Beta Computer Systems, Inc., Catalyst Energy Corporation, United Thermal (NYSE), Century Power Corporation, Vidilia Hydroelectric Corporation, U.S. Utilities, Great Southern Water Corp. and South Carolina Water & Sewer, Inc. He has served as a member on the boards of Trenwick America Reinsurance Corporation, Spacehab Inc. (Nasdaq), Advocate MD, Optifab, Inc. (Nasdaq) and was the New York chapter Chairman of United Shareholders Association, a shareholders’ rights organization.

Board Members

Thomas B. Pickens, III

Thomas B. Pickens, III

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
Mr. Pickens currently serves as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Astrotech Corporation (Nasdaq: ASTC) and has held that position since January 2007. Mr. Pickens also currently serves as CEO of the Astrotech subsidiaries Astrotech Technologies Inc, 1st Detect. AgLAB Inc., and BreathTech Corporation. From 1982 to 1984,...

Thomas B. Pickens, III

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
Mr. Pickens currently serves as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Astrotech Corporation (Nasdaq: ASTC) and has held that position since January 2007. Mr. Pickens also currently serves as CEO of the Astrotech subsidiaries Astrotech Technologies Inc, 1st Detect. AgLAB Inc., and BreathTech Corporation. From 1982 to 1984, Mr. Pickens was the founder and President of Beta Computer Systems, Inc.; from 1985 to 1995, founder and President of T.B. Pickens & Co.; from 1986 to 1988, founder and General Partner of Grace Pickens Acquisition Partners L.P.; from 1988 to 1989, founder and Managing Partner of Sumpter Partners. From 1988 to 1994, Mr. Pickens was the CEO of Catalyst Energy Corporation and CEO of United Thermal Corporation (NYSE), President of Golden Bear Corporation, President of United Hydro, Inc., President of Slate Creek Corporation and President of Eury Dam Corporation. From 1995 to 2003, Mr. Pickens was the founder and CEO of U.S. Utilities, The Code Corporation, Great Southern Water Corp., South Carolina Water & Sewer, Inc. and the founder and Managing Partner of Pickens Capital Income Fund L.P. From 2004 to 2006, he was the Co-Chairman of the Equity Committee during the bankruptcy of Mirant Corp. (Nasdaq: MIRKQ). Mr. Pickens is currently the Chairman of the Board of Astrotech Corporation, Astrotech Technologies, Inc., 1st Detect Corporation, AgLAB, Inc., and BreathTech Corporation. He also currently serves on the board of NaturalShrimp Incorporated (OTC: SHMP) and Chroma, Inc. Mr. Pickens was previously the Chairman of the Board of Xplore Technologies Corporation (Nasdaq: XPLR) until it was sold to Zebra Technologies (Nasdaq: ZBRA) in July 2018. He has served as the Chairman of the Board of Astrotech Space Operations, Inc., Beta Computer Systems, Inc., Catalyst Energy Corporation, United Thermal (NYSE), Century Power Corporation, Vidilia Hydroelectric Corporation, U.S. Utilities, Great Southern Water Corp. and South Carolina Water & Sewer, Inc. He has served as a member on the boards of Trenwick America Reinsurance Corporation, Spacehab Inc. (Nasdaq), Advocate MD, Optifab, Inc. (Nasdaq) and was the New York chapter Chairman of United Shareholders Association, a shareholders’ rights organization.
Tom Wilkinson

Tom Wilkinson

Lead Independent Director
Mr. Wilkinson is a professional advisor and consultant through his business, Wilkinson & Company, which he founded in 2014 to provide turn around, M&A and business growth advisory services. He has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Sonim Technologies (Nasdaq:SONM) and Cipherloc Corporation (OTCBB:CLOK), and continues to serve...

Tom Wilkinson

Lead Independent Director
Mr. Wilkinson is a professional advisor and consultant through his business, Wilkinson & Company, which he founded in 2014 to provide turn around, M&A and business growth advisory services. He has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Sonim Technologies (Nasdaq:SONM) and Cipherloc Corporation (OTCBB:CLOK), and continues to serve as Chairman of the Board for Cipherloc. He was also the former Chief Executive Officer of Xplore Technologies Corp. (Nasdaq:XPLR) which was sold to Zebra Technologies in July 2018. Prior to becoming the Chief Executive Officer of Xplore Technologies Corp., Mr. Wilkinson served as the Chief Financial Officer of this international rugged tablet company. Prior to his tenure at Xplore, he served as Chief Financial Officer for Amherst Holdings, a financial services company focused on real estate and real estate financing. In this role, Mr. Wilkinson took part in the successful sale of Amherst’s broker dealer subsidiary, significant capital generation for new strategies and the spin-off of one of the largest single-family equity businesses in the United States. Mr. Wilkinson was the co-founder and Managing Partner of PMB Helin Donovan, a multi-office regional accounting firm where he led the growth of the firm both organically and through acquisition to one of the top 200 firms in the United States. His clients included a large number of US Public Companies and international businesses. Mr. Wilkinson has brought to our Board significant financial experience, as well as mergers and acquisitions, international business and executive compensation expertise after joining the Board and becoming Chairman of the Compensation Committee in October 2018. He has both Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees from the University of Texas and is a Certified Public Accountant in Texas and Colorado. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Wilkinson meets the qualification guidelines as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by the SEC rules. Mr. Wilkinson has served as the Chairman of the Compensation Committee since 2018 and also serves on the Audit Committee and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee.
Bob McFarland

Bob McFarland

Director
Mr. McFarland joined our Board in January 2023. He served as an Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology and Chief Information Officer at the Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) from January 2004 through his retirement in 2006. In this role, he advised the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on matters pertaining...

Bob McFarland

Director
Mr. McFarland joined our Board in January 2023. He served as an Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology and Chief Information Officer at the Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) from January 2004 through his retirement in 2006. In this role, he advised the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on matters pertaining to acquisition and management of IT systems. He was also responsible for overseeing operation of the VA’s computer systems and telecommunication networks for medical information, veterans’ benefits payments, life insurance programs, and financial management systems. Prior to his tenure at the VA, Mr. McFarland served as Vice President of Governmental Relations for Dell Computer Corporation (“Dell”). He joined Dell in 1996 as Vice President and General Manager of the Federal Business segment. He held several senior executive positions at Dell, including managing its global segment, large corporate accounts, and government sector. Under his leadership, Dell became a leading supplier of computer systems to the federal government. In 1998, Mr. McFarland was named to the “Federal 100,” a joint government and industry award designating the top 100 executives in the federal marketplace. Mr. McFarland has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas. Mr. McFarland previously served on the Board of Advisors of Veterans Advantage as well as a member of the boards of directors for Xplore Technologies Corporation (Nasdaq:XPLR), CSIdentity Corporation, Ezenia! Inc., and Isothermal Systems Research Inc. Mr. McFarland’s experience in building businesses delivering technology to the government sector combined with his publicly traded company directorships quality him to be a member of our Board. Upon his re-election, Mr. McFarland will serve as the Chairman of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, and as a member of the Audit Committee.
John Halinski

John Halinski

Director
Mr. Halinski became the Chief Executive Officer of the SRI Group LLC formerly S&R Investments of VA LLC , a service-disabled veteran owned small business specializing in global security, technology and risk consulting opportunities, in July 2014. From January 2017 to June 2022, he was the President and owner of...

John Halinski

Director
Mr. Halinski became the Chief Executive Officer of the SRI Group LLC formerly S&R Investments of VA LLC , a service-disabled veteran owned small business specializing in global security, technology and risk consulting opportunities, in July 2014. From January 2017 to June 2022, he was the President and owner of Raloid Corporation, a manufacturing facility specializing in sensitive DoD programs. In July 2004, Mr. Halinski began serving in strategic roles for the Transportation Security Agency (“TSA”) and finished his tenure with the TSA as Deputy Administrator from July 2012 to July 2014. Mr. Halinski served 25 years in the United States Marine Corps in a variety of intelligence and Special Operations positions. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Florida and a Master of Science degree in Strategic Intelligence from the National Intelligence University in Washington, D.C. He is a graduate of TSA's Senior Leadership Development Program and the Federal Executive Institute in Charlottesville, Virginia. Mr. Halinski currently consults for the International Civil Aviation Organization as well as other Fortune 500 companies and several countries. He is also on the Board of Advisors for Marymount University’s Intelligence Studies Program and the Christopher Newport University’s Center for American Studies. He was a Senior Fellow with George Washington University and is currently on the Board of Editors of the Homeland Security Today. We believe Mr. Halinski is qualified to serve as a Director because of his extensive national security and leadership experience.
Eric Stober

Eric Stober

Director
Eric Stober is a Chief Financial Officer, entrepreneur, investor, and former public company executive with a wealth of experience in finance, private equity, venture capital, and entrepreneurship. In April 2022, he became the Chief Financial Officer for Capital Factory, the center of gravity for entrepreneurs in Texas and the...

Eric Stober

Director
Eric Stober is a Chief Financial Officer, entrepreneur, investor, and former public company executive with a wealth of experience in finance, private equity, venture capital, and entrepreneurship. In April 2022, he became the Chief Financial Officer for Capital Factory, the center of gravity for entrepreneurs in Texas and the most active venture capital firm in Texas by deal volume. In his role, Eric leads the company’s financial strategy and plays a pivotal role in driving growth. He joined Astrotech in 2008 and became the Chief Financial Officer in 2013. He served in that role until resigning in April 2022. Mr. Stober’s resignation was not in connection with any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies, or practices. During his tenure as our Chief Financial Officer, he played a key role in orchestrating the successful restructuring of the company, managing the $61 million sale of its satellite operations business to Lockheed Martin, and helping to reinvent the organization by launching multiple startups within the corporate ecosystem. He also spearheaded fundraising efforts totaling approximately $110 million in equity, debt, and non-dilutive grant financing. Before his roles at Capital Factory and Astrotech Corporation, Eric worked in private equity at both Virtus Capital Partners and Black Diamond Capital Management where he honed his proficiency in financial management, mergers and acquisitions, and investment strategy. He also co-founded several entrepreneurial ventures. Eric began his career in private wealth management for Lehman Brothers and the Ayco Company, which was sold to Goldman Sachs during his tenure. Mr. Stober holds an MBA from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas where he served as President of the MBA Entrepreneur Society, the largest student-run organization on campus. He also earned an undergraduate degree in Finance from the University of Illinois, graduating with honors.
Charles Winn

Charles Winn

Director
Mr. Winn joined Winn Exploration LLC (“Winn”), an oil and gas producer, in 1978 where he now serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer. In 1992, he led Winn’s diversification into alternative investments outside of oil and gas by forming businesses that include Edge Capital, Argent Trust Company, Manti...

Charles Winn

Director
Mr. Winn joined Winn Exploration LLC (“Winn”), an oil and gas producer, in 1978 where he now serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer. In 1992, he led Winn’s diversification into alternative investments outside of oil and gas by forming businesses that include Edge Capital, Argent Trust Company, Manti Resources, Malibu IQ, and Hughes Research Labs. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Corpus Christi Fish For Life. Mr. Winn graduated with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural and business management from Texas Tech University and earned a Ranch Management certification from Texas Christian University.
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