KYMETA'S MIKALA JOHNSON, Ph.D., NAMED 20 UNDER 35 HONOREE BY SPACE & SATELLITE PROFESSIONAL INTERNATIONAL

Mikala Johnson, Ph.D., Principal System Engineer of LEO Systems at Kymeta, has been named a 2021 “20 Under 35” Honoree by Space & Satellite Professional International (SSPI).

The 20 under 35 list recognizes young professionals and entrepreneurs in the space and satellite industry who are expected to have a profound impact on the industry in the future. Mikala was selected for the honor due to her demonstrated initiatives and leadership, character and reputation, creativity and problem-solving skills, and career accomplishments which have created new capabilities and ensured excellence in technology and service. 

“Mikala has been with Kymeta for 9 years and is a rising star,” said Paul Klassen, Vice President Engineering at Kymeta. “Her passion, unique skillset, ability to solve complex problems, and collaborate with others makes her not only an asset at Kymeta, but a high-valued and respected leader in the industry.”

As a Principal System Engineer of LEO Systems at Kymeta, Mikala is responsible for cross-organizational workstreams ensuring LEO-ready user terminals with a special emphasis in software and algorithms for mobile LEO acquisition and tracking. She also helped spearhead the product development and launch of the second-generation Kymeta™ u8, a flat-panel satellite antenna, the first of its kind, and Kymeta Connect ™ connectivity services, which provides revolutionary mobile connectivity on satellite and hybrid satellite-cellular networks to customers around the world.

“It is an honor to be recognized by SSPI as one of 20 under 35.  It is a pleasure to work for Kymeta with talented and dedicated colleagues.  I’ve enjoyed meeting customers and learning new skills while working on problems that matter to the product from initial mobile acquisition and tracking of GEOs to, now, building a complete LEO terminal for new customers and markets.”

Mikala holds a Doctorate and Master of Science in Applied Mathematics from the University of Washington. She received her Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering at New Mexico State University. The fourth annual cohort of the “20 Under 35” honorees will be celebrated at SSPI’s 16th Annual Future Leaders Dinner LIVE! in October at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, CA.

See the full list of SSPI honorees here:

https://www.sspi.org/articles/sspi-announces-the-2021-20-under-35-list-of-young-professionals-to-watch-in-the-coming-years