Rodney Babcock is the founder of Next Intent, a high tech machining and mechanical engineering  company, which he started with his wife Cayse in 1996 to primarily serve the Semiconductor equipment industry. He began his manufacturing career in 1978 as a machinist with Cloud Company and then Strasbaugh in San Luis Obispo in 1993.  Now, at Next Intent, the focus is on Aviation, Aerospace, Defense and Spacecraft components and sub-assemblies. Rodney & Next Intent has worked with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), CSA Engineering, Moog, Ball Aerospace, ATK Space, ATK Launch Systems & ATK Integrated Systems. Next Intent built all the wheels, and most of the suspension components on the Mars Exploration Rovers for JPL. They have also built components for the James Webb Space Telescope, which will launch in 2013.  Recently, Next Intent has worked on the Ares program, which will be the future launch vehicle for next moon projects and ISS missions.

Rodney’s interests and memberships include 10 yrs. with the National Ski Patrol and 12 yrs. teaching Avalanche Safety courses to skiers and mountaineers in northern California.  Graduate of 1979  USFS National Avalanche School.  He was a Seasonal Firefighter with the California Department of Forestry for 4 yrs. He studied Computer Science, Accounting and Management in several California colleges.  He enjoys playing Ultimate Frisbee (30th yr) and was finalist in the 1983 World Flying Disc Ultimate Championships in Santa Cruz, CA.  Married to wife, Cayse, who is the CFO at Next Intent and they have 2 children, Grace 19, and Emily 16.