Duke Valentour

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Duke Valentour

Duke Valentour is an Industrial and Systems Engineer at Ball Aerospace, part of BAE Systems, based in Boulder, Colorado. Ball Aerospace, operating under Space & Mission Systems, develops technology solutions supporting space missions for national security, intelligence, and civilian purposes.

Duke holds a Commercial Pilot License and is a Certified Flight Instructor. His interest in aviation was sparked at a young age by his grandfather, who nurtured his passion for flying.

In his engineering role, Duke analyzes workflows within assembly and fabrication to measure cycle and process times. He leads projects to improve operations in Research and Development, Production, and Depot Programs centered on Optical Systems. His work includes conducting root cause analyses to identify challenges and develop sustainable solutions. He collaborates closely with production technicians to enhance both processes and product quality.

Duke began working at Ball Aerospace as an intern in 2020 and secured a full-time position soon after. In 2024, he was promoted to his current role. That year also saw Ball Aerospace’s acquisition by BAE Systems, which integrated the company into its Space & Mission Systems division.

Jonathan Wayne Valentour’s passion for aviation began with childhood visits to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force near Dayton, Ohio, alongside his grandfather, Colonel Wayne Basset. These visits inspired his fascination with military aviation. While interning at Ball Aerospace in 2021, Jonathan passed his private pilot check ride and earned his instrument rating by late 2023.

In early 2024, Jonathan earned his commercial pilot license and flight instructor certification. He began working as a tow pilot and flight instructor at Mile High Gliding at Boulder Airport.

Duke holds endorsements for complex airplanes, high-performance aircraft, tailwheel operations, and glider towing. He has logged around 800 flight hours, including 250 in tailwheel aircraft and 10 in complex airplanes. His professional experience includes flight instruction at Journeys Aviation and tow pilot duties at Mile High Gliding, providing flight and ground training.

Jonathan attended Archbishop Alter High School in Kettering, Ohio, where he played baseball and football. His football team qualified for the state playoffs in his sophomore through senior years. In 2017, he enrolled at Ohio State University in Columbus and earned a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Systems Engineering. While at OSU, Jonathan served as Business Development Lead for the Buckeye Space Launch Initiative from 2020 to 2021.

Duke worked at the Ball Packaging facility during college, where he first became familiar with Ball Aerospace. His determination helped him earn an internship there, paving the way for his aerospace career.

Jonathan Wayne Valentour volunteers with the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles program. This initiative offers free introductory flights to youth aged 8 to 17 to encourage aviation interest. Jonathan conducts pre-flight briefings, flies with participants, and leads post-flight discussions. This work reflects his commitment to sharing his passion for flying, inspired by his grandfather and father.

Outside of his professional and aviation activities, Duke enjoys hiking and skiing. He values the physical challenge and connection to nature that these pursuits provide. His love for the outdoors complements his passion for flying, giving him a unique perspective on the landscapes he experiences both from the ground and the air.

Portfolio Website: https://dukevalentour.com
Portfolio Website: https://jonathanwaynevalentour.com

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