The retirement of the Atlas V and Delta IV led to a reduction in United Launch Alliance’s size with layoffs and facility closures in Florida, California, Alabama, Colorado, and Texas. In another sign of ULA’s troubles, SpaceX won the majority of U.S. military launch contracts for the first time last year.
Bruno, 64, served as a genial public face for ULA during difficult times for the company. He regularly connected with space enthusiasts on social media, fielded questions from journalists, and even started a podcast. Bruno’s friendly and approachable demeanor was unusual among industry leaders, especially those with ties to large legacy defense contractors.
ULA is a 50-50 joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin, which merged their rocket divisions in 2006. Bruno’s plans did not always receive full support from ULA’s corporate owners. For example, Boeing and Lockheed initially approved only tranches of funding to develop the new Vulcan rocket on a quarterly basis. Prior to Bruno’s arrival and extending into his tenure as CEO, ULA’s owners pursued the slow development of an advanced upper stage that could become a useful centerpiece for an innovative in-space transportation and refueling infrastructure.
There have also been rumors of an imminent sale of ULA by Boeing and Lockheed Martin in recent years, but nothing has materialized so far.
The third flight of the Vulcan rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on August 12, 2025.
Credit: United Launch Alliance
A statement from ULA’s board co-chairs, Lockheed Martin’s Robert Lightfoot and Boeing’s Kay Sears, did not give any reason for Bruno’s resignation other than that he was leaving the position “to pursue another opportunity.”
“We are grateful for Tory’s service to ULA and to the country, and we thank him for his leadership,” the board chairs said in a statement.
ULA Chief Operating Officer John Alban will take over as interim CEO with immediate effect, the company said.
“We have full confidence in John to build on ULA’s momentum as the Board moves to find ULA’s next leader,” the company said. “With the new COO, Mark Peller, John’s career in aerospace and his launch expertise is an asset to ULA and its customers, especially as we achieve key upcoming Vulcan milestones.”
In a post on X, Bruno thanked ULA’s bosses for giving him the opportunity to lead the company. “It has been a great privilege to lead ULA through its transformation and bring Vulcan into service,” he wrote. “My work here is now complete and I will encourage ULA.”
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