Meet The Crew

From urban planners to storytellers, our team and backers are strategically poised to overcome the complexities of modern development, forging a new frontier of innovation, entertainment and success

  • Steve Franck

    MISSION CAPTAIN

    It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.

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  • Emmett Marsh

    DESIGN DIRECTOR

    It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.

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  • Bob Allen

    CHIEF ENTERTAINMENT SCIENTIST

    It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.

    Read Bio

Mission Captain:
Steven G. Franck

With over 2,300 flight hours in US Navy patrol and tactical aircraft, followed by a career spanning billion-dollar financings and restructurings, Steve exemplifies leadership where high risk and high reward intersect. As Founder and Captain of PBDV, Steve operates as our mission commander, steering the organization through uncharted financial orbits and technological innovation, always with a clear trajectory aimed toward the future.

A decorated naval flight officer with White House service, Steve now leads MacKay-Franck Ltd. From technology to energy, across regions from Cyprus to Myanmar, he continues to navigate complex industries, always aiming for the stars, refusing to settle for anything less.

Steve’s academic foundation is equally impressive, holding degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell, Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate School, and an MS from MIT’s Sloan School of Management. This blend of scientific rigor and operational prowess allows him to approach challenges with both technical insight and strategic foresight, making him a gifted leader in navigating the planning, design, build and operations associated with the Space Base California Mission.

Chief Entertainment Scientist:
Bob Allen

Bob Allen launched his career into orbit at age 16, entering the entertainment industry as a musician. His early trajectory accelerated post-college, with critical mission assignments in Disneyland’s Live Entertainment Division, where he honed his craft on productions such as the Main Street Electrical Parade - an early demonstration of creative propulsion.

Bob’s command responsibilities expanded over time with project development assignments on Tokyo Disneyland and EPCOT leading to a move to Walt Disney World and the role of Vice President at Disney Production Services, Inc., where his responsibilities included facilities and services at Disney-MGM Studios, as well as the integration of Disney IDEAS (Innovation, Design, Entertainment, Art, and Storytelling)—a creative hub designed for large-scale, cross-platform storytelling. He later acquired IDEAS from Disney and has been its Chief Storytelling Officer for 22 years.

Through his unique Zennovation organization, Bob has shared his innovation, creative and branding expertise with a variety of prestigious audiences, including the U.S. Air Force, TEDx, and multiple colleges and universities.

As Chief Entertainment Scientist at PBDV, Bob is the visionary architect behind conceptual development, experience design, and brand strategy at Space Base California, leading mission architecture and payload for a long-duration interplanetary journey.



Mission Commander:
Rudi Tuisk

Rudi Tuisk brings a wealth of entrepreneurial expertise, investment acumen, and technical leadership to Pale Blue Dot Ventures, Inc. With involvement in eight startups, including two NASDAQ listings, and experience scaling operations to over 11,000 people, Rudi has also raised $35 million in funding for transformative projects. At Tesla, he played a key role in advancing the electric vehicle revolution, and his career includes senior technical advisory roles at Volkswagen Group and Red Bull Advanced Technologies.

Rudi has negotiated global partnerships with organizations like IMG and Formula E, leveraging his expertise to build impactful collaborations. His family’s legacy of engineering excellence and his own contributions to virtual reality and large-scale immersive projects further highlight his innovative approach.

As Mission Commander at PBDV, Rudi leads innovation and partnerships, driving the organization’s mission to deliver world-class STEM-focused educational and entertainment experiences. His diverse background ensures PBDV remains adaptive, forward-thinking, and results-driven.

Operation Comms and Digital Commander:
Matt Ellis

Matt Ellis is our comms relay to the world. With over 15 years of experience, he navigates the digital landscape like a seasoned mission specialist, having directed high-impact campaigns for entertainment giants like MAX, Paramount+, and HBO. As Digital Communications Director, Matt leads the creation of compelling, high-impact digital experiences that resonate with millions, ensuring the PBDV mission is transmitted with precision and accuracy, resonating with impact around the globe.