Shawn H. Phillips is Chief of the Rocket Propulsion Division within the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL/RQR) at Edwards AFB, CA.  As a US Space Force Guardian, he is the mission director for all research, development and testing at the $10.2B AFRL Rocket Lab, encompassing over 65-sq miles, 19 major rocket test stands, 340+ personnel and 136 buildings. Research efforts encompass Space Access, In-Space Propulsion, and solid rocket motors for Strategic, Tactical and Hypersonic Boosters.  Dr. Phillips has 24 years of government service, all spent at the AFRL Rocket Lab, holding 10 patents and more than 28 publications in R&D and applied technology fields.  He is also the author of 4 sci-fi/fantasy novels.

Dr. Phillips entered the Department of Defense Civil Service in May 1998 after employment as a Co-Team Lead for New Adipic Acid Routes and performing synthetic chemistry in the Nylon Intermediates and Specialty Division for DuPont, DuPont Nylon ESL.  While at Edwards AFB, he has also directed the polymer working group, the Materials Application Branch, the Liquid Rocket Engines Branch, and served as the Deputy Chief of the Rocket Propulsion Division.  Dr Phillips holds a BS degree in Chemistry from Hope College and a PhD in Organometallic/Inorganic Chemistry from the University of California, Irvine.