The retirement of the Atlas V and Delta IV led to a period of downsizing for United Launch Alliance, with layoffs and facility closures in Florida, California, Alabama, Colorado and Texas. In a further sign of ULA's troubles, SpaceX won a majority of U.S. military launch contracts for the first time last year.
Bruno, 64, was a friendly public face for ULA during the company's tough times. He regularly interacted with space enthusiasts on social media, answered questions from reporters and even started a podcast. Bruno's friendly and approachable demeanor was unusual among industry leaders, especially those associated with major defense companies.
ULA is a 50-50 joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin, which merged their missile divisions in 2006. Bruno's plans did not always have the full support of ULA's business owners. For example, Boeing and Lockheed initially only approved financing tranches for the development of the new Vulcan rocket on a quarterly basis. Beginning before Bruno's arrival and continuing through his tenure as CEO, ULA's owners have delayed development of an advanced upper stage that could have become a useful centerpiece for innovative space transportation and refueling infrastructure.
There have also been rumors in recent years about an impending sale of ULA by Boeing and Lockheed Martin, but so far nothing has come of it.
The third flight of the Vulcan rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, on August 12, 2025.
Credit: United Launch Alliance
A statement from ULA board co-chairs Robert Lightfoot of Lockheed Martin and Kay Sears of Boeing gave no reason for Bruno's resignation other than that he is stepping down “to pursue a new opportunity.”
“We are grateful for Tory's service to the ULA and the country, and we thank him for his leadership,” the board chairs said in a statement.
ULA Chief Operating Officer John Elbon will take over as interim CEO effective immediately, the company said.
“We have the utmost confidence in John to continue to strengthen ULA's momentum as the board continues to find ULA's next leader,” the company said. “Together with Mark Peller, the new COO, John's aerospace career and launch expertise will be an asset to ULA and its customers, especially in achieving key Vulcan milestones.”
In a post on X, Bruno thanked ULA's owners for the opportunity to lead the company. “It has been a great privilege to lead ULA through its transformation and deploy Vulcan,” he wrote. “My work here is now complete and I will cheer on ULA.”
