SEARCH is pleased to announce that Shyamal “Sam” Patel is joining the company as Chief Operating Officer (COO). In his new role, Sam is responsible for ensuring that our delivery of cultural resource services remains the best in the industry.
Prior to SEARCH, Sam served as Senior Director of Starship Operations at SpaceX where he was responsible for SpaceX’s Starbase site. He joined SpaceX in 2012 as a launch engineering intern in Cape Canaveral where heled field teams for Falcon 9 launch operations.
Sam has a lifelong passion for archaeology having volunteered at the St. Augustine Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program (LAMP) for multiple field seasons as a diver and engineer. He designed and built several remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and dredges to facilitate underwater operations.
Sam earned his master’s degree in Space Systems from the Florida Institute of Technology and a bachelor’s in aerospace engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He is a private pilot, an emergency medical technician, and a member of The Explorer’s Club.
Welcome to SEARCH, Sam!
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