Dayton and Brook Park, OH – Parallax Advanced Research and its affiliate, the Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI), both private aerospace and defense research nonprofits that specialize in fostering collaboration between government, industry, and academia to advance critical aerospace and defense technologies, today announced Michael Johanson joins the team as Senior vice president and chief growth officer. In this role, Johanson will lead business development efforts, build and develop strategic relationships across aerospace and defense industries, and oversee initiatives that align with Parallax/OAI’s missions to innovate and deliver advanced solutions for national security and scientific exploration.
Caption: Michael Johanson
Johanson’s expertise in strategic planning, business development, and capture management will be instrumental in driving Parallax/OAI’s growth by identifying and securing key partnerships, expanding market opportunities, and advancing innovative solutions that align with the company’s mission to enhance national security and scientific exploration. His proven track record in leading high-impact aerospace initiatives and fostering cross-sector collaboration will strengthen the organization’s position in both government and commercial markets.
“With Michael joining our team, it reinforces our commitment to achieving our strategic goals of strengthening our position as a trusted partner in advancing national security, aerospace technology innovation, and scientific research,” said Dennis Andersh, president and CEO of Parallax, and president of OAI. “He will enhance our organization’s ability to deliver value-driven solutions to government, academic, and industry stakeholders and foster innovation through current and new partnerships and collaboration.”
“Parallax/OAI is operating at the forefront of aerospace and defense innovation, and I’m honored to contribute to shaping the enterprise’ growth trajectory,” said Johanson. “I plan to capitalize on opportunities to expand our impact in both government and commercial sectors.”
About Senior Vice President and Chief Growth Officer Michael Johanson
Johanson possesses over 30 years’ experience in the aerospace industry across engineering, operations, strategy, and business development sectors. He has held leadership roles at major aerospace organizations, including McDonnell Douglas Aerospace, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman, as well as smaller businesses supporting NASA and Department of Defense missions. Johanson’s career includes the successful management of complex spaceflight systems and groundbreaking contributions to over 270 microgravity research payloads for platforms such as the International Space Station and NASA’s Artemis program.
Before joining Parallax/OAI, Michael Johanson served as Senior Vice President of Government Services and Business Development at ZIN Technologies, operating as Voyager Space. In this role, he expanded the company’s portfolio by forging strategic partnerships and positioning it as a critical contributor to commercial space and advanced space exploration missions, including NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) project, Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission and Artemis lunar program. Johanson was instrumental in advancing initiatives such as the Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO) and the Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destinations (CLD) program, with notable contributions to the development of Voyager’s Starlab Space Station and Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser. His leadership facilitated key government and commercial partnerships, drove business growth, and ensured the strategic alignment of corporate marketing efforts with government relations objectives.
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About Parallax Advanced Research & The Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI)
Parallax is a 501(c)(3) private nonprofit research institute that tackles global challenges through strategic partnerships with government, industry, and academia. It accelerates innovation, addresses critical global issues, and develops groundbreaking ideas with its partners. With offices in Ohio and Virginia, Parallax aims to deliver new solutions and speed them to market. In 2023, Parallax and OAI formed a collaborative affiliation to drive innovation and technological advancements in Ohio and for the nation. OAI plays a pivotal role in advancing the aerospace industry in Ohio and the nation by fostering collaborations between universities, aerospace industries, and government organizations, and managing aerospace research, education, and workforce development projects.