Don Gabrielson is the Director of East Coast Recovery at SpaceX, where he leads teams responsible for offshore recovery of Falcon 9 rockets, Dragon human spaceflight capsules, and global range surveillance and recovery operations for Starship. Since founding the Marine Operations division, his teams have recovered over 200 rockets supporting SpaceX’s unprecedented launch and recovery programs.
Before joining SpaceX, Don served 32 years as a Surface Warfare Officer in the U.S. Navy, retiring as a Rear Admiral (Upper Half). His final assignment was Commander of U.S. Fourth Fleet and Naval Forces Southern Command, where he led naval forces and built strategic partnerships with 31 nations in the Southern Hemisphere. Over his career, he commanded five operational tours, also including Carrier Strike Group 11 / NIMITZ Carrier Strike Group, Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific / Task Force 73 (based in Singapore, working with 12 nations in Southeast Asia), USS CAPE ST. GEORGE (CG 71), and USS FREEDOM (LCS 1) during design, construction, and initial operations.
Don deployed many times, including five tours in the Middle East and many more around the Western Pacific, Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Baltic, and lived several years each in Japan and Singapore. Don has traveled to and worked with more than 100 nations on every continent, and
holds the rare distinction of having sailed all the Great Lakes and circumnavigated the globe, each as a warship captain.
Ashore, Don served as Executive Assistant and Aide to four of the most senior leaders in the Department of Defense. He also held key roles supporting the Navy, Joint Staff, and Secretary of Defense, including four years in legislative affairs on Capitol Hill.
Don’s disaster and crisis leadership experience includes special assignments for the Secretary of Defense for Defense Efficiency and also the 2015 Fort Hood Independent Review Committee, and he led recovery efforts following the USS JOHN S MCCAIN ship collision, plus five international medical support missions deploying USNS COMFORT and USNS MERCY.
Don is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and holds Master’s degrees from the Naval Postgraduate School and the National War College. He has also completed executive programs at MIT’s Seminar XXI, UVA’s Darden School of Business, and a CNO Fellowship in the Navy’s Strategic Studies Group. His military decorations include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, and many awards recognizing the achievements of his teams.
Beyond his military and aerospace career, Don is a lifelong musician and athlete who has performed at high levels in both fields. He is also the founder of Dream Bigger Strategies, LLC, where he channels his passion for leadership and mentorship to help others achieve their full potential.
He and his wife, Navenka Gabrielson—a talented health coach, author, and artist—have built an international life together. They have two amazing children and have lived in nine U.S. states and six countries. They now call Florida home.
