Charlie O. Crouse

Business Development & Sales Lead, Advanced Space LLC

Mr. Charlie Crouse serves as Business Development and Sales Lead at Advanced Space, a Denver-based company specializing in space-enabling services, software, program management, and mission operations across deep space, lunar, Martian, and Earth-based environments. In this role, he is responsible for driving company growth across an expanding and diverse customer base, including the Department of Defense, NASA, the Intelligence Community, international space programs, and commercial partners.

Charlie brings a diverse and impactful professional background. As an Intelligence Officer in the U.S. Air Force, he led operations in global airlift and ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance), supporting all combatant commands and multiple joint and coalition missions worldwide. His final assignment before transitioning out of military service was as Cryptologic Assistant Director of Operations for the Air Force’s largest flying squadron, the 97th Intelligence Squadron.

He entered the space industry in 2020, where he led new revenue growth for a nearly $8 billion portfolio at Lockheed Martin Space. He later directed business development efforts at True Anomaly, contributing to advancements in national counterspace and rapid space deployment capabilities.

Beyond his professional work, Charlie holds WSET Level II certification in Wines (with merit) and Level I in Spirits. He is also the founder of Why Space?, an initiative focused on communicating the importance of space for humanity, while advising technology, space, and defense companies on growth strategy and long-term success.

Charlie maintains strong community involvement, serving on nonprofit, public, and private boards, and actively mentoring across organizations such as AIAA, the USAFA Association of Graduates, and Denver Sister Cities International. He has also volunteered with the Denver International Airport Canine Therapy Squad (CATS) and Ambassador programs, and is currently developing a children’s book series.