CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. Feb 23, 2026- –Starfighters Space (“Starfighters” or the “Company”) (NYSE American: FJET), the innovative aerospace company, owner and operator of the world’s largest fleet of commercial supersonic aircraft, announced today that Company founder Rick Svetkoff, 72, has resigned as Chief Executive Officer, President, Chairman and Director. Mr. Svetkoff’s spouse, Brenda Svetkoff, has also resigned as Company secretary. The board of directors of the Company has appointed Tim Franta as Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Svetkoff has had a distinguished career. After college, Svetkoff joined the U.S. Navy in 1978 and flew the venerable A-4 fighter jets. Svetkoff left the Navy in 1984 and began a new career as a Continental Airlines pilot, prior to founding Starfighters in 1996. On behalf of the remaining board and management, the Company thanks the Svetkoff’s for their visionary leadership and efforts in progressing Starfighters to its current stage of development and wishes them success in their future endeavors.

“Rick built Starfighters from the ground up. As we move into the commercialization era of our business, we are grateful for the strong foundation, both operationally and financially, he has left us,” said Tim Franta, Chief Executive Officer.

Tim Franta has served as Starfighters’ Vice President of Development since October 18, 2022. He is leading development of the STARLAUNCH air-launch system intended to fly rockets capable of delivering payloads to space. Before Starfighters, he was Energy Florida’s Deputy Director in Cape Canaveral (October 2018 to September 2022) and previously Director of Special Projects (2012 to October 2018). His work focused on space and energy business development, translating financial and technical requirements into fundable business plans and aligning public policy with private and government financing. Earlier, he worked for the Florida Legislature and served as Chief of Staff for the Florida Space Authority, where he helped draft space transportation legislation, oversaw FAA licensing of two launch pads, and supported more than $300 million in space and ground infrastructure funding. He also authored the Florida Space Transportation Act.

“I’ve worked with Tim for more than 20 years on commercializing space. It is very fitting that he now leads a company that aims to continue that development. I congratulate him on his new role and look forward to seeing to what heights he can take Starfighters,” said Bill Posey, former congressman (2009–2025) who represented Florida’s Space Coast.

About Starfighters Space, Inc.

Starfighters Space, Inc. is the only commercial company in the world with the ability to fly payloads at sustained MACH 2+ and with the capability to launch those payloads to space. Starfighters Space is an organization committed to participating in high-demand commercial space activities. Located at the NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Company operates a growing fleet of modified supersonic aircraft operationally configurable to act as the first stage lifting platform to carry payloads up to 45,000 feet for air launch to space. Additional activities include support research, pilot training, space flight training, and advanced scientific efforts including hypersonic testing as part of air launch partner development programs. Starfighters Space is working to position its capability to become the most cost-effective launch provider in the sector.

Source: Starfighters Space