Anthony van der Merwe
Founder and CEO
Anthony van der Merwe is the Founder and President of FAST Space Corporation, leading the company’s vision to pioneer Futuristic Advancements in Space Technology. With more than 30 years of experience in mining, oil & gas, and advanced systems engineering, he has built and managed large-scale, high-stakes projects under extreme conditions where precision and reliability are vital. Anthony’s leadership has attracted global partnerships with aerospace, defense, and biomedical leaders, positioning FAST Space at the forefront of hybrid propulsion, life-support, radiation shielding, and asteroid mining technologies. Driven by a mission to solve Earth’s toughest challenges while enabling humanity’s expansion into space, he continues to guide FAST Space with innovation, resilience, and a global outlook.
RJ Mollen
Vice Chairman — Global Capital Strategy & Strategic Growth
He brings over two decades of international capital markets, M&A, and growth-strategy experience. As Managing Director at DelMorgan & Co., a company that has done over $300 billion in transactions across 80 countries, he is recognized for structuring complex cross-border deals and aligning high-growth companies with leading institutional investors. At FAST Space, RJ leads global capital strategy, large-scale funding, and strategic partnerships. His deep financial expertise and investor network accelerate the company’s commercialization and global expansion. RJ’s leadership bridges Wall Street and the Aerospace Frontier, fueling scalable ventures and long-term enterprise growth. He brings precision, credibility, and momentum to FAST Space’s mission to shape humanity’s next era in space.
Dennis R. Trailer
Chief Biomedical Technology
Dennis, an American citizen, brings over 30 years of breakthrough Biomedical innovation to FAST Space. He led the development of advanced biomedical systems including the HemeaLumen and LumaVive technologies. His earlier career includes key leadership roles at Johnson & Johnson’s Critikon Division. He pioneered the first transcutaneous external pacemaker as President of MicroMedical. Dennis also patented the Transesophageal Pacing System widely used in anesthesia and electrophysiology. His technologies are produced in the United States under rigorous quality standards. ALDMED, our Biomedical Technology partner and shareholder in FAST Space, is represented on the Board by Dennis. He now leads FAST Space’s expansion into next-generation biomedical and life-support innovation. His expertise plays a decisive role in shaping the medical systems that protect crews on Earth, in orbit, and deep space.
John Waldheim
Strategic Materials Specialist & Government Relations
John Waldheim (American) is a service-disabled U.S. Navy veteran with over 32 years of defense industry experience. His career spans Navy logistics, defense contracting with Northrop Grumman, and co-founding Syndicate Alliance, where he drove rapid and sustainable growth as COO. An expert in Department of Defense procurement, acquisitions, and global logistics, having successfully secured over $150 million in grants and solicitations, and currently CEO of Rare Earth Exchange, North America’s first dedicated marketplace for critical and rare earth materials. His leadership ensures FAST Space’s strategic positioning at the intersection of defense, advanced technology, and resource security.
Basman Shina
Director of Middle East Relations
Basman Shina (American) serves as FAST Space’s Director of Middle East Relations, where he leverages his vision and entrepreneurial expertise to build strong commercial and diplomatic bridges across the region. With a proven background in both retail and wholesale markets, he has developed a unique ability to connect industries, investors, and governments through trust and collaboration. Basman is deeply committed to elevating the Middle East’s role in global space development, championing partnerships that combine innovation with economic opportunity. His leadership ensures FAST Space is positioned as a trusted partner in one of the world’s most dynamic and strategically important regions.
Walter Capes
Chief Technology Officer
Walter Capes (Italian) brings over 34 years of expertise in telecommunications, network optimization, energy systems, and strategic petroleum operations. He has directed large-scale infrastructure projects in hostile environments, ensuring reliable performance under extreme conditions and severe timelines. Walter’s background in process design and systems engineering now drives FAST Space innovation at the intersection of telecommunications, energy distribution, and advanced aerospace systems. His leadership ensures the company’s technologies are built for resilience, efficiency, and mission-critical reliability across both Earth and space.
