Duke Valentour

Duke Valentour is an Industrial and Systems Engineer at Ball Aerospace, part of BAE Systems, based in Boulder, Colorado. Ball Aerospace, now known as Space & Mission Systems, focuses on delivering space-related technologies that support national security, intelligence, and civilian missions.

Duke holds a Commercial Pilot License and is a Certified Flight Instructor. His passion for aviation began in childhood, encouraged by his grandfather’s influence.

In his role at Ball Aerospace, Duke studies engineering workflows to measure cycle and process times within assembly and fabrication operations. He leads initiatives to enhance these processes across Research and Development, Production, and Depot Programs involving Optical Systems. His duties include conducting root cause analyses to find and fix production issues. He collaborates closely with production technicians to improve processes and product quality.

Duke began his career as an intern at Ball Aerospace in 2020, securing a full-time position. He was promoted to his current role in 2024, the same year BAE Systems acquired Ball Aerospace.

Jonathan Wayne Valentour’s interest in aviation was sparked by childhood visits to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force near Dayton, Ohio, alongside his grandfather, Colonel Wayne Basset. These visits deepened his appreciation for military aviation. While interning at Ball Aerospace in 2021, Jonathan completed 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 in Boulder.

Duke holds endorsements for complex airplanes, high-performance aircraft, tailwheel operations, and glider towing. With about 800 flight hours, including 250 in tailwheel aircraft and 10 in complex airplanes, he brings extensive experience. His professional background includes flight instruction at Journeys Aviation and glider towing at Mile High Gliding.

Jonathan attended Archbishop Alter High School in Kettering, Ohio, where he played baseball and football. His football team reached the state playoffs during his sophomore, junior, and senior years. In 2017 he enrolled at Ohio State University in Columbus, earning 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 learned about Ball Aerospace. His determination helped him secure an internship there, setting the stage for his aerospace career.

Jonathan Wayne Valentour volunteers with the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles program, providing free introductory flights to youth aged 8 to 17 to encourage aviation interest. Jonathan leads pre-flight briefings, pilots' flights, and holds post-flight Q&A sessions. This reflects his dedication to sharing his passion for flying, which his grandfather and father passed down.

Outside of work and aviation, Duke enjoys hiking and skiing. He values the physical challenges and connection to nature that these activities offer. His love for the outdoors complements his passion for flying, giving him a unique perspective on the landscapes he explores from the ground and the sky.