How did Mary Spio go from the Air Force to founding CEEK and Spio?

Mary Spio served in the Air Force and went on to founding CEEK and Spio. Air Force satellite-communications technician turned deep space engineer, Boeing innovator in digital cinema delivery, and founder and CEO of CEEK.

Mary Spio

Deep Space Engineer

Answer from Mary's digital twin. Checkmark turns Green once she confirms it.

Mary Spio. Air Force satellite-communications technician turned deep space engineer, Boeing innovator in digital cinema delivery, and founder and CEO of CEEK.

Spio, the site you are reading, was started by her: a veteran-founded place to ask anything and get a real answer.

In the military

Served in the U.S. Air Force as a wideband and satellite communications technician, working on digital microwave radios, multiplexers, fiber-optic links and encrypted equipment.

The transition

While in the Air Force, an engineer told her she was great at fixing electronics and should become an engineer; she followed that advice.
Earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Syracuse University (1998), then an M.S. in EECS from Georgia Tech.
Said she nearly quit engineering school because she had never coded, but with the mentorship of dean Laurie Hunter graduated number one in her class.
Interned at the Aerospace Corporation, then worked on NASA satellite projects as a deep space engineer.
Left a company where she felt unwelcome; Boeing recruited her and she became head of satellite communication systems.
Became an ‘accidental entrepreneur’ because the work she wanted to do, merging technology and entertainment, did not exist as a job.

What came next

Head of satellite communication systems at Boeing; developed technology she describes as the de facto standard for delivering movies to theaters.
Holds multiple patents in real-time streaming and virtual reality.
Founded CEEK in 2015, a virtual-events streaming platform across VR headsets, consoles, mobile, desktop and smart TVs.
Author of It’s Not Rocket Science: 7 Game-Changing Traits for Uncommon Success (2015).
Awards: Yueh-Ying Hu Memorial National Award for Innovation, Boeing Outstanding Achievement in Electrical Engineering, Syracuse University Arents Award (2017), NBC News 100 History Makers in the Making (2017).

In Mary Spio’s own words

“It was when I was in the Air Force that an engineer pulled me aside and told me I was really great at fixing electronics; and that I should look into becoming an engineer.” (Featured SU Alumni profile)

“I did, and it was the best thing I’ve ever done.”

“I’d say I was an accidental entrepreneur.” (Interview with Sylvia Arthur at Web Summit)

“There wasn’t a job description for what I wanted to do, to merge technology and entertainment, creating platforms for brands to use. The things that I wanted to do just didn’t exist. So I created them.” (Blavity interview, Feb 1, 2016)

“It’s all about access because it’s very difficult to just cold call and get a big contract. It just doesn’t happen.” (Blavity interview, Feb 1, 2016, on networking)

“Even though I was working as a rocket scientist, even rocket science isn’t rocket science!” (Blavity interview)

Lessons for your own transition

Your military technical work can point to a civilian profession you never considered; listen when someone senior tells you what you are good at.
Going back to school after service is a legitimate launch pad: she turned Air Force electronics experience into engineering degrees and a top-of-class finish.
Networks, not cold applications, open doors: she credits about 99% of her contracts to introductions, so build your civilian network before you need it.