Meet The Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Steven G. Franck is Pale Blue Dot’s Founder and CEO. He has over 10 years of operational experience in high technology start-ups, heavy industrial manufacturing, operations, engineering and contracting. His direct start-up experience includes a venture capital backed $10 million wireless company and 15+ years of investing and raising capital across equity and fixed income products including key roles at Morgan Stanley in Equity Research and High Yield/Distressed Debt Research. Notably, Steve worked at Alvarez & Marsal leading a team that unwound a $20 billion portfolio of credit, interest and foreign exchange derivatives after the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy and he has restructured banks and their real estate portfolios in Austria and Greece, and was selected by the IMF, ECB, EC and Greek Ministry of Finance to serve on the Hellenic Financial Services Fund (HFSF) General Council, eventually becoming the Senior Non-Executive Director (NED) and chairman of the Audit Committee. Steve Franck served in the US Navy including assignments in the White House and 2,300+ hours flying patrol (P-3C) and tactical aircraft (EA-6B). He has BS degrees in Mechanical Engineering and English from Cornell, an MS in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate School and an MS in Management of Technology from MIT’s Sloan School of Management. He is currently a principal with MacKay-Franck Ltd, a London based special situations advisory firm seeking mandates in technology, oil & gas, electric power generation, agri-business, real estate, banking & finance industries across geographies from Cyprus to Myanmar into something more.

PROJECT DESIGN ARCHITECT

After graduating with a degree in Architecture from Kansas State University, and two years working as an architectural intern in Colorado, his passion for the entertainment industry prompted a move to Southern California where David established Exline Design & Architecture in 1985. David is the principal design architect for the team and will lead all visual, dimensional and guest experience design planning. For over 25 years, he has played key directive roles executing creative and innovative entertainment in theme park and amusement park planning & design; museum & exhibit design; mixed-use planning & design; festive retail center planning & design; and recreational resort planning. David holds licenses in the states of Colorado, California, Kansas, and an accreditation with the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). Currently residing in Aliso Viejo, Orange County, California, David is active in Orange County’s Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. 

CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER

Spent his early career with the Walt Disney Company beginning with a variety of positions in Disneyland’s Live Entertainment Division. Bob’s team produced numerous projects for Tokyo Disneyland and Bob also worked as an Imagineer with Walt Disney Imagineering on EPCOT. In 1991 he became Vice President of Disney Production Services, Inc. responsible for professional services at the Disney-MGM Studios, and Walt Disney World Resort Entertainment. In July of 2001, he formed Integrity Arts & Technology Inc. and completed a management buyout of IDEAS from Disney. Today IDEAS is a unique brand and experience design firm with over 1100 clients around the world in entertainment, healthcare, enterprise and destination experience design.

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION

Dr. Blow brings over 40 years of education experience to Space Base California’s educational programs. She served most recently as the Interim Superintendent of the Lompoc Unified School District after an 11 year tenure as Superintendent of both Orcutt Union School District on the Central Coast of California (5 years) and the Cambrian School District in San Jose, California (6 years). She has also worked as an Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, Principal, Assistant Principal, and ten years as a teacher. Dr. Blow earned her doctorate degree in Educational Leadership in California at the University of La Verne and has extensive experience in curriculum and educational development. As a school principal, she oversaw the opening of a new facility in the Encinitas Union School District, setting the vision and direction of the school, as well as overseeing the construction of the facility and will bring this experience to the development of Camp Odyssey. She has received numerous awards, including Administrator of the Year and Principal of the Year.

ENTITLEMENT

John Linn is a longtime business owner and community leader in Lompoc, California. John earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Chapman University in Orange, California, moving to Lompoc in 1982 where he has operated multiple small businesses for more than three decades, building close ties with local residents and the business community. He was elected president of the Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce in 1989 and co-chaired the Airport Days Trade Fair from 1983 to 1987, reflecting a long-standing focus on economic development and promotion of the city. John was elected mayor of Lompoc in 2010, serving through 2014. During and after his term, public discussions highlighted his emphasis on economic growth. After his mayoral term, he continues to be recognized locally both for his long record of business ownership and for his sustained involvement in civic debates, ballot measures, and community improvement efforts in and around Lompoc.

OPERATIONS PLANNING

Rick Allen brings the experience of a 43-year Walt Disney World career that included 24 years in executive roles in theme parks and seven Disney resort hotels. He played key project development roles for Disneyland Paris and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. After retiring from Disney, he spent two years as the chief operating officer for Give Kids the World, a non-profit resort providing no-cost vacations to families of kids with critical illnesses. He was also the COO for the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games, the largest humanitarian event in Florida history with over 4,000 participating athletes. In addition to Space Base California, Rick’s consulting work has included Great Wolf Lodge, The Florida Aquarium, Icon Park and Bahia Urbana Park, currently under development in San Juan Puerto Rico. Rick serves on the board of directors for Shepherd’s Hope, a non-profit organization that provides free health care to uninsured people in Central Florida.