Planet Rings in 2025 by Welcoming Two New Executive Team Members

As we welcome in a new year, Planet’s leadership team welcomes two new members to its executive leadership team, both familiar faces to Planet. I am thrilled to announce Thomas Murphy has been promoted to General Counsel and Trevor Hammond has returned to Planet as Chief Communications Officer. Both Thomas and Trevor have been exceptional counselors and critical to Planet’s growth and transformation as a leading space platform company throughout most of the past decade. 

Thomas Murphy has been with Planet since 2016 and has held various positions in the legal department during his tenure, most recently as SVP of legal. Thomas’s leadership has been instrumental throughout Planet’s rapid growth, including supporting numerous acquisitions and the company’s public listing in 2021. In his new role, Thomas will manage all legal functions and also oversee compliance, regulatory and security, providing counsel on global business strategy and risk mitigation. 

“When I joined Planet in 2016, I was thrilled to join such an innovative space company and, as one of the first attorneys at the company, I knew I had the legal skills Planet needed to establish its legal function,” said Thomas Murphy. “What I loved most those early days is that I was able to work on every aspect of the business and to help shape the company as it went from young startup to public company. I am so proud of all the good work we’ve accomplished and look forward to continuing this amazing work as General Counsel.” 

Thomas has 20+ years of legal experience working in public, private and governmental arenas. Prior to joining Planet, Thomas served as Assoc. General Counsel at Symphony Teleca (acquired by Harman International Industries), and before that held various counsel roles including at GoldenGate Software (acquired by Oracle), Advent Software (NASDAQ: ADVS)  and Marimba (acquired by BMC). Thomas received his BA from Hamilton College and JD from Golden Gate University.

Trevor Hammond rejoins Planet from Skydio, a leading US drone manufacturer. Trevor previously spent more than eight years with Planet, serving in senior communications roles and as Chief of Staff to the CEO. During his first orbit with Planet, Trevor led communications during some of the company’s most transformative moments, including numerous satellite launches, new product announcements, public listing, and Planet’s feature inclusion in a bestselling book and HBO documentary. In his new role as Chief Communications Officer, Trevor will lead the communications and government affairs teams, driving Planet’s business strategy and policy priorities forward with key external and internal audiences.

“Returning to Planet is a homecoming for me. I believe deeply in Planet’s mission and business and have watched the company closely in my time away,” said Trevor Hammond. “As Chief Communications Officer, I look forward to collaborating with the executive team and all Planteers as we build a longterm, successful business and brand that changes the way we see and make decisions about our world.”

Prior to Planet, Trevor served in a number of communications and government roles at PR agencies, Apple, and the Office of Governor Schwarzenegger. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications and Public Relations from California State University-Sacramento.

Planeteers are some of the most talented individuals in the industry, and I am proud to continue growing talent from within our walls. Join me in congratulating Thomas and Trevor in their new roles. We all look forward to their continued contributions to Planet in the years to come.