Maj. Gen. Urrutia-Varhall’s military career spans more than 30 years including key leadership positions as the assistant deputy chief of staff, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), Headquarters, U.S. Air Force (USAF) at the Pentagon, and director of ISR at U.S. Southern Command. Respected as a trusted advisor at the highest levels of government, she has brought her scientific, operational and intelligence expertise to developing and executing strategies and partnerships on a global scale.

“As the space domain becomes increasingly dynamic, greater integration across our government customers and mission areas will be critical to outpacing the evolving threat environment,” said Steve Isakowitz, Aerospace president and chief executive officer. “We’re delighted to welcome Maj. Gen. Urrutia-Varhall to our Board of Trustees, where her leadership and expertise within the U.S. Air Force and Intelligence Community will be invaluable in advancing innovative and integrated solutions to evolving threats facing our nation’s space enterprise.”

Throughout her decades-long career in the Air Force, Maj. Gen. Urrutia-Varhall held command and staff positions at the wing, major command, headquarters level and served in multiple joint assignments. She became the first USAF representative to the National Military Intelligence Center and was selected to command the first Air Force Information Warfare Flight at 9th Air Force/Central Air Forces, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. She also served as the right hand to the director of National Intelligence and the Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence.

In addition, she was recognized as the first Latina USAF Academy graduate and the first Latina to attain the rank of major general in the USAF. Among her many awards, Maj. Gen. Urrutia-Varhall was awarded the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal (with three oak leaf clusters), the Legion of Merit (with oak leaf cluster) and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (with three oak leaf clusters).

Aerospace’s Board of Trustees members have a myriad of backgrounds, representing academic and scientific institutions and public, government and national security interests. These different perspectives allow the board members to collectively provide unique guidance and oversight of the corporation’s activities.