Flight Crew

Our command module is led by a team of visionaries in mission control, innovation, operational excellence, and digital storytelling. With a proven track record of driving billion-dollar investments, spearheading electric vehicle revolutions, scaling global enterprises, and creating digital campaigns that engage millions, this elite crew is uniquely equipped to shape the future.

Backing our mission is an expert council of negotiators and thought leaders in critical sectors. Urban planners specializing in sustainable city growth, and authorities on environmental impact and market analytics, an education director committed to advancing STEM initiatives, specialists in revenue optimization, strategic advisory, land use planning and permitting, and lodging development.

Leading the architectural vision is a world-class Project Design Architect, while Corporate Counsel ensures seamless navigation of legal and regulatory landscapes.

Together, this coalition of experts is strategically poised to overcome the complexities of modern development, forging a new frontier of innovation, entertainment and success.

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 CEO 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 is the driving force behind our innovation efforts, shaping high-performance teams and achieving critical milestones. At Tesla, he played a pivotal role in the world’s first electric vehicle revolution, guiding teams and solving complex technical challenges akin to navigating a spacecraft through new frontiers.

As Strategy and Partnership Lead at PBDV, Rudi brings his global network of partnerships to accelerate mission timelines and align our trajectory with long-term goals. His experience in EV motorsport design and creative solutions keeps us on the cutting edge of performance, making fast cars faster and teams sharper. Always focused on pushing boundaries, Rudi ensures our vision stays on course and evolves with the audience’s changing trajectory.

Operations Lieutenant:
Lea Anderson

Lea Anderson is a master at deploying complex operations with precision. From her work at Porsche to Tesla, she has overseen large-scale initiatives that have consistently reached mission-critical success. At PBDV, Lea ensures that every operational challenge is met with accuracy, acting as the mission controller for high-stakes projects. Whether managing teams of 1,500 or orchestrating global launches, Lea’s leadership guarantees that each mission parameter is executed flawlessly, driving every initiative toward its intended trajectory.

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.