Vantage Engineering & Technology Services, LLC

Joseph Polk, Chief Executive Officer

Joe Polk founded Vantage in 1992 and currently serves as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Joe started the business with “customer service and satisfaction” as his mission. Vantage has expanded from a one-person software consulting firm to a highly skilled, highly diverse, and well-respected engineering and IT services provider. Joe’s singular philosophy has remained: customer satisfaction is priority one.

Joe has over 40 years of technical and management experience developing aerospace systems for NASA and private industry. His experience includes all phases of spacecraft and instrument life cycle development from project conception through operations and maintenance. He has garnered a multitude of awards for his technical and management expertise, and untiring dedication. He is still “hands-on” when it comes to ensuring client satisfaction for his NASA customers.

Joe’s areas of technical and management expertise include spacecraft ground and flight systems development and testing; spacecraft system simulations; systems requirements, design, and analysis; spacecraft software systems integration and test; systems deployment; software systems conversion and rehosting; software systems maintenance; system verification and validation; system configuration management; and system documentation.

Joe's executive management includes running a Vantage organization of nearly 400 employees.

Mike Ahan, President

Mike Ahan has over 40 years’ experience in business and technical management with advanced technology businesses with extensive responsibilities in the technical, fiscal oversight, and management of the design, development, and implementation of complex aerospace, IT, and telecommunications systems and projects. Mike has held the positions of CEO, Executive Vice President, and Chief Operating Officer (COO) and was the Co-Founder and Co-Owner of two high-tech start-ups. 

Mike joined Vantage as the Executive Vice President and COO in 2003 and became President in 2022. His hard work, integrity, and work ethic are key drivers for the company’s success. He has overseen all aspects of strategic planning—market research, pricing, sales, distribution, and infrastructure support.  He has experience with government, civil, and commercial markets, which extend to international markets. Mike is a seasoned executive and technical manager with special expertise in the development of new products, services, and enterprises. Mike is known for his keen ability to create effective teams, oversee corporate finances, and negotiate and manage strategic partnerships.

Donald Frank, Chief Operating Officer

Donald Frank has nearly 30 years’ experience in business development and operations management. He is a leader with a strategic, solution developing mindset that has lead sales, organizational development, and team execution. He possesses the leadership and communication skills and processes to extend high performance across the enterprise. Don has earned strong business relationships through his commitment to hard work, collaboration, and coordination. He has consistently decreased overhead expenditures to enhance a competitive cost posture for companies.

Don’s accomplishments include capture management of large, complex scientific, engineering and information technology programs, program and corporate organizational management, solution architecting, remote sensing research, scientific programming, and high performance computing administration. Don is a degreed Meteorologist and Mathematician. He brings experience working with and selling solutions across the Federal agencies, including NASA, NOAA, and the Department of Defense, and working effectively with industry on deployment of efficient contract administration tools and in business development.