Joel Cool: President, CEO, Founder
Collegiate Comets was founded by Joel Cool, a lifetime resident of the South Bay. Joel’s been involved in amateur rocketry for several years, and is going on his third year as a board member of the Reaction Research Society. Having previously been a member and engineer on the Compton Comet, Joel had the pleasure of meeting Waldo Stakes, a man famous in the amateur rocketry community for his various projects and achievements, and with whom he still works today. Joel chose to found Collegiate Comets in the hope of spreading the joy of rocketry among his fellow Los Angelans, and educating the next generation in the process.
Charlie Cool: CFO
Charlie Cool has lived in the South Bay since 1967. Charlie’s a life-long car enthusiast and automotive mechanic, having owned his own business for nearly 50 years. Charlie was once a well down drag-racer at Wilmington’s Lion’s Drag Strip, and has been well-known in the classic car community for decades. Charlie is helping Joel, his grandson, operate the business with his half-century of business experience, and is excited to participate in educating the next generation of Americans.
Waldo Stakes: Secretary
Waldo Stakes is a minor celebrity in the amateur rocketry community, having experience in rocketry dating back to the 1970s. Having spent a lifetime merging his love for rockets with his pursuit of the land-speed record, he is uniquely equipped to educate our up and coming rocketry personnel, amateur and professional. Having been the mastermind behind the Compton Comet, Waldo has already demonstrated his knowledge and prowess to a gaggle of young Americans, and is ready to do so with many, many more.