Virgin Orbit COO Blasts Company Leadership for Failures After Bankruptcy Filing

With Virgin Orbit now under bankruptcy protection, departing Chief Operating Officer Tony Gingiss had some choice words for the company’s leadership, as well as a lengthy and detailed apology to its employees.

You deserved better than this, I assure you! On Monday, Gingiss sent a letter to the entire company, which CNBC was able to obtain.

You were a part of something bold, difficult, and challenging, but you lacked the courage or opportunity to show the world what you are capable of and how this product may endure in the market, according to Gingiss.

Virgin Orbit filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Tuesday after ceasing operations last week. The company noted in a securities filing that Gingiss was laid off as one of the 675 positions eliminated.

Employees are reportedly informed in Gingiss’ email that they” have never heard from the person who may be saying it” and that Virgin Orbit CEO Dan Hart has been identified, though not by title.

In the internet, Gingiss expressed regret that I was unable to persuade our table and leader to choose a different course of action to bring us more time to resolve the issue.

CNBC’s’s request for comment was not immediately answered by a Virgin Orbit representative.

Dear current and former Virgin Orbit National Systems individuals,

Right is my final weekend at Virgin Orbit, just like many of you. The last 26 months I’ve’ve been your COO have been very fruitful for me, including learning how we build our rocket, working with a multi-talented team to do it, successfully launching 3 rockets and delivering our Customers into orbit, making new friends and colleagues, and going through the difficult and team-building Spaceport Cornwall first launch campaign, to name just some of the things. I appreciate it you gave to the Virgin Orbit dream and to me honestly. Both you and I are appreciated. Having said that, I wanted to say that we are at a fork in the road.

You deserved better than this, I assure you!

I don’t say this quietly because I am aware that for many of us, the present situation is emotionally, psychologically, and physically difficult. You created an entirely new air-launch system that has a distinctive, responsive, anywhere( including Spaceport Cornwall ), anytime, unwarned capability that there is unquestionably an market for, and you showed it worked 4( almost 5 ) times! You were involved in something audacious, challenging, or fulfilling. Simply put, you lacked the initiative and chance to show the world your full potential and how this product may remain a market leader.

I’m’m sorry and I apologize, but I have something to say to you that you haven’t heard from the person who should be saying it.

I’m’m sorry I was unable to assist us in preventing this outcome.

I apologize for not acting sooner to prevent shocking you and so many of our adherents and clients with this abrupt conclusion.

I apologize for not prioritizing our consumers and commercial information more.

I’m’m sorry you have to deal with the loss of a job that I know many of you loved and that provided for you both literally and figuratively.

And as for me, I regret that I was unable to persuade our table and leader to choose a different course of action to bring us more time to resolve the issue.

Simply put, I’m’m bad and I apologize; you deserved better!

Despite my best efforts to influence our course along, we ended up where we are.

Although this book is now complete, our book is not yet complete. Since the majority of you were on my engineering and operations team and the other members of our team collaborated directly with us as our partners to accomplish the great things we have, I am aware of what a brilliant company you are. I am aware of the good people you are and the significant effect you have had and will continue to experience. Please remove all of the positive relationships, experience, education, stories, and skills you have developed at VO. Get the unique you you brought to Virgin Orbit with you on your next adventure. We must use this occasion to distribute the wave of our skills, aspirations, creativity, and power into the industries and the world to make them a better place, even though we were unsuccessful in our attempt to transform Virgin Orbit into an industry force. On some point, it will all be worthwhile in this way.

I have had the good lot and honor of serving as your COO and partner. Whatever your last book is, I wish you the best of luck. I’m’m standing here ready and willing to assist in any way I can, including by offering a shoulder to cry on( I’ll’ll tell you to shake it off), offering assistance, making recommendations, sharing drinks, going on adventures, etc. Godspeed on whatever path you choose to get, and please get in touch with me if I can be of any assistance.

Directly ahead until night with the single star to the right!

Ad astra per ardua …

Best wishes, and until we next meet!

Tony