Executive Orders Unlocked: Implications & Opportunities for YOU

Please join AUVSI New England for the New England Next Generation Aviation Summit 2026! The theme this year is Executive Orders Unlocked: Implications & Opportunities for YOU. The program will explore the policies and technologies that can be used to create a complete picture of our airspace, then review counter-UAS mitigation approaches that will secure that airspace.

Register now for the region’s largest annual New England Next Generation Aviation Summit, taking place on March 19, 2026, and take advantage of significant early bird registration discounts!

Don’t forget to explore sponsorship and exhibit hall opportunities.

EVENT OVERVIEW

• Translate Executive Orders into practical guidance
• Strengthen State/Federal alignment on airspace governance, security, and innovation
• Highlight partnership projects, public-private efforts, and advance drone and future aviation ecosystems
• Highlight New England’s leadership to drive industry engagement and investment

Who Should Attend

• Federal and State regulators/policymakers
• Industry executives and leaders in UAS/AAM and CUAS
• Researchers and academic institutions driving innovation
• Public safety officials and advocates

Speakers From

• DOT, FAA
• NASA
• DoD (DIU, Air Force, Army, Navy)
• DHS
• FBI
• State Leadership
• Industry Leaders

2026 Program

Thank you to our sponsors.

Program subject to change.
Printable Overview Program

Thank you to our sponsors.

SPONSORSHIP

Don’t miss the opportunity to sponsor the foremost New England Next Generation Aviation Summit – this year at Northeastern University Innovation Campus at Burlington, MA. The New England Next Generation Aviation Summit, co-hosted by AUVSI New England and MassAutonomy, delivers a packed day of presentations, exhibits, and networking opportunities.

EVENT SPONSOR

$3,000
The Event Sponsors earn brand recognition in conjunction with one of the region’s most highly regarded technology conference programs. Sponsors are provided with logo inclusion on all event communication, “day of” graphics, and branding on all published content created from the event. Event Sponsors will be given special recognition during the opening remarks made by the AUVSI New England President.
Event Sponsors will receive three complimentary registrations.

RECEPTION SPONSOR

$2,500
The Reception Sponsor will be given the opportunity to introduce themselves during the evening reception. 
The Reception Sponsor will receive two complimentary registrations.

STEM SPONSOR

$1,500
The STEM Sponsor will be given the opportunity to introduce themselves during the STEM Session. 
The STEM Sponsor will receive one complimentary registration.

NETWORKING SPONSORS

Networking Sponsors will earn brand recognition in conjunction with one of the region’s most highly regarded technology conference programs. Networking Sponsors are provided with logo inclusion on all event communication, “day of” graphics, and branding on all published content created from the event, and your organization’s logo will be prominently displayed in the meal area where attendees congregate for networking.

BREAKFAST SPONSOR

$1,000
Breakfast Sponsors will receive one complimentary registration.

LUNCH SPONSOR

$1,500
Lunch Sponsors will be given the opportunity to introduce themselves at the start of lunch. 
Lunch Sponsors will receive one complimentary registration.

COMMERCIAL (COFFEE) BREAK EXHIBITORS

$1,500
Do you have a product or service that you’d like to advertise to our in-person attendees and broader online audience? Commercial Break Exhibitors will have the opportunity to present a 4-minute presentation to our audience in the main auditorium at the start of one of two coffee breaks. Commercial Break Exhibitor logos will remain on-screen for the duration of the break.
Commercial Break Exhibitors will receive one complimentary registration.

For more information about becoming a sponsor, please email sponsorship@auvsinewengland.org.

EXHIBIT Hall

$750
Event Hall Exhibitors will be provided a 3′ x 6′ display table in the adjacent exhibit hall located directly outside the Summit auditorium. Meals and snacks will be coordinated near the area, driving all attendees to the exhibiting organizations.
Each Event Hall Exhibitor will receive one complimentary registration.
*Commercial Break and Event Hall Exhibitors will not have their logos included in event communication.

For more information on being an exhibitor, please email exhibitor@auvsinewengland.org.

2026 EXHIBITORS

	Allied International has a long tradition of successfully launching sales for European companies into U.S. transportation, aerospace, defense, chemical, oil exploration, and general industrial markets as U.S. distributors. Problem-solving, engineering-focused, distributors, manufacturers, marketing reps, and purchasing agents of aerospace and related transportation and industrial products offering solutions to customers in the USA and around the world since 1951. alliedinter.com
	ArgenTech Solutions is a U.S.-based Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) integrator and service provider that integrates tailored UAS hardware and software solutions with well-crafted Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and provides comprehensive training and skilled personnel for piloting aerial data-collection missions. ArgenTech specializes in working with fixed-wing and Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft operating under Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) conditions for medium-endurance UAS projects. Military, civil, and commercial agencies rely on ArgenTech’s global expertise in UAS military operations, production control, and aeronautics and electrical engineering for tailored UAS flight operations and maintenance, enabling them to sustain any tactical UAS mission with precision and safety. argentechsolutions.com
	Brockton High School Robotics isn’t just about STEM—though you’ll definitely get hands-on with tech, engineering, and innovation. It’s about building a team, a vision, and a legacy. Our ultimate goal? To become Brockton’s first-ever competitive Robotics Team and represent our city in FIRST Robotics competitions across the state. bhs.bpsma.org
	Civil Air Patrol is a volunteer organization serving America’s communities, saving lives, and shaping futures. Civil Air Patrol is a congressionally chartered, federally funded, 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation and serves as the civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. They provide educational materials for the public on Aerospace and work with teachers on STEM Programs. Additionally, the Cadet Program works with youth ages 12 to 18 to become civically minded and confident citizens ready to step up as the next generation. gocivilairpatrol.com
	Flying Solutions has been designing and manufacturing Drone solutions for 22 years. Their Drones solve Manufacturing, Distribution, and Production problems, to name just a few. flying-solutions.com
	Massachusetts Department of Transportation‘s mission is to deliver excellent customer service to people traveling in the Commonwealth by providing transportation infrastructure that is safe, reliable, robust, and resilient. They work to provide a transportation system that strengthens the state’s economy and improves the quality of life for all. https://www.mass.gov/orgs/aeronautics-division
	MatrixSpace is creating the next generation of AI-enabled sensing solutions to elevate our clients’ operations. matrixspace.com
	MHS Red Hawk Robotics strives to foster an environment for students of all races, religions, genders, and sexual orientations so they can feel comfortable being themselves.
	The Noelte Group Inc. Accelerating Growth through Differentiated Insights and Results. They support their client’s end customers to quickly find the right solution for their needs leveraging our deep experience and array of solutions in the areas of radar, lidar, camera, IMU, GNSS, PPP, InCabin monitoring, breath & touch alcohol sensing, chemical sensing, calibration, speed-position-flow-pressure sensors, actuators (bearings, motors, encoders, dextrous hand), AI/ML, fusion, perception, software, simulation, controllers, telematics, cloud, human subject testing. noeltegroup.com
	Zifino is on a mission to build the best continuous compliance management platform for the most highly regulated industries. Where mass-market GRC vendors fall short, Zifino shines. Built specifically for the Defense Industrial Base and applicable to any enterprise handling sensitive IP, Zifino orchestrates specialized AI agents to collect, verify, and narrate the artifacts your assessor demands. Every compliance claim is verified against a Basis of Fact — deterministic evidence, not probabilistic assumptions. zifino.com

Speakers

CO-HOSTS
	WASEEM NAQVI, PHD President AUVSI New England
	JEFFREY DECARLO, ED, PM President & Chief Executive Officer MassAutonomy, Inc. Dr. Jeff DeCarlo is the President and CEO of MassAutonomy, where he leads pioneering work to advance innovative aviation systems, connected mobility technology, and integrated air, surface, and maritime transportation solutions. His teams support MassDOT Aeronautics, lead the National Counter-UAS Center of Excellence with the U.S. Air Force’s Force Protection team, and operate the Advanced Mobility Technologies Institute at Endicott College. Dr. DeCarlo previously served as Administrator of the MassDOT Aeronautics Division, overseeing statewide aviation safety, infrastructure investment, advanced aviation technologies, and workforce initiatives for more than nine years. Nationally, he represented Massachusetts on multiple NASA Advanced Air Mobility initiatives and served as the inaugural chair of the World Economic Forum’s AAM Cities and Regions Coalition. A former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot and airline pilot with over 10,000 flight hours, Dr. DeCarlo is a graduate of the USAF Fighter Weapons School (USAF version of Top Gun). He currently serves on the boards of NUAIR, AUVSI New England, and the Massachusetts Air and Space Museum.
KEYNOTES & SPECIAL GUESTS
	ADAM FREUDBERG Executive Director Commonwealth of Massachusetts Military Asset & Security Task Force Adam Freudberg serves as the Executive Director of the MA Military Asset & Security Strategy Task Force (MASS-TF) and Governor’s Liaison to Military Installations, in the Office of Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey & Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll. In this role, he coordinates a joint federal, state, and local partnership initiative to enhance and strengthen military bases and the critical national security missions, jobs, and economic impacts associated with them; collaborate with base leaders and their community partners to support the people, infrastructure, and mission needs; and to promote the work of the Commonwealth’s military installations and regional defense sector to Pentagon officials.
	PAMELA GOMEZ Advanced Aviation Technologies Office Federal Aviation Administration Pamela has spent her career in Aviation, which began as an Aerospace Engineer in the FAA Air Traffic Organization Program Management Office working in ground-based and space-based navigation programs, then through 10 years in the FAA’s NextGen office where she served as the NextGen Advisory Committee Liaison. After leaving NextGen, she served as the Senior Technical Advisor to the Vice President of Mission Support to ensure operational readiness for the ADS-B rule and led the ATO’s Strategy Enterprise Planning Group developing UAS and Space Integration strategies. In 2023 Pamela was named the FAA Fellow and Senior Policy Advisor for Senator Tammy Duckworth, Chair of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Aviation Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations, and Innovation supporting the development of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. She now serves as the FAA Director of the UAS Safety and Integration in the Aviation Safety Organization.
	CAPT MARTIN A. LESSEM Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Air Force Auxiliary Martin Lessem joined CAP most recently in 2020, amid the COVID pandemic, and was a member of the MEMA Mission, packaging PPE for distribution across the State. In 2021, he got involved with the sUAS Program and was sent to the National Emergency Services Academy in Indiana to train as an sUAS Mission Pilot and Instructor. Since then, he has helped establish training programs on a Regional level with the North East Region Emergency Services Academy and the Massachusetts Air Crew Academy. He is the current Director for sUAS for the Massachusetts Wing of CAP. He holds a BA and MA in Political Science, a JD, and is a graduate of Försvarshögskolan in Sweden and spent 12 years as an officer with the Swedish Navy. In CAP, he holds the honorary rank of Captain.
	BEN LINVILLE-ENGLER Deputy Director & Chief Investment Strategist Massachusetts Technology Collaborative Ben Linville-Engler is the Deputy Director and Chief Investment Strategist at Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. In this capacity, he works across the agency’s divisions, funds, and programs to align investments with ecosystems needs, emerging technology trends, and sector priorities to create impact in the Commonwealth’s technology and innovation economy. Additionally, Ben has executive responsibility for the agency’s Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM), MassCyberCenter, the Massachusetts eHealth Institute (MeHI), and the Northeast Microelectronics Coalition (NEMC) Hub. Ben served as the the Founding Director of NEMC during its launch following its selection as 1 of 8 U.S. Dept. of War regional Microelectronics Commons Hubs funded by the U.S. CHIPS+Science Act. Currently, Ben is also the designated Chair of Governor Healey’s Strategic Hub for Innovation, Exchange, and Leadership in Defense (SHIELD) Initiative, established by Executive Order in October 2025.
	TODD PIETT Senior Vice President of Command Center Solutions Motorola Solutions Todd Piett is the senior vice president of Command Center Solutions at Motorola Solutions, where he oversees the team that is responsible for emergency call handling, NG911 services, computer-aided dispatch, drones, and mobile video solutions, as well as Motorola’s cloud infrastructure. Prior to assuming this role, Piett was the CEO of Rave Mobile Safety, which Motorola Solutions acquired in December 2022, where he led the company through rapid growth and multiple acquisitions. Earlier in his career, Piett led the development of real-time AI and ML-based solutions at a leading marketing automation company and launched Dell Computer’s first internet service provider program. Piett graduated with honors from the United States Military Academy at West Point and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School. After graduating from the U.S. Military Academy, he served for seven years in the U.S. Army in multiple locations worldwide as an aviation officer and rotary-wing flight instructor.
	MICHAEL ROBBINS President & Chief Executive Officer AUVSI Michael Robbins is President & Chief Executive Officer at the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), the world’s largest trade association for uncrewed systems, robotics, and autonomous technologies, representing companies in both the commercial and defense sectors. He joined AUVSI in 2020 and previously served as Chief Advocacy Officer. Michael is also presently serving as an Officer in the United States Navy Reserve.
PANELISTS & MODERATORS
	RITA CASTONGUAY-HUNT VP of Commercial Operations ArgenTech Solutions, Inc. Rita Castonguay-Hunt is the VP of Commercial Operations for the drone services provider ArgenTech Solutions, Inc., where she manages complex UAS services worldwide. Rita specializes in flight operations, safety, and regulations. She has extensive experience collaborating with defense and commercial OEMs and primes, solving operational and regulatory issues to achieve success.  She is a designated FAA Drone Pro for ME & NH, the Governor appointed Vice Chair of the NH Airport Users Advisory Board, Chair of the Concord Airport (KCON) Advisory Committee, and was recognized as the International Business Woman of the Year in 2024 by the World Affairs Council of NH. Rita has a B.S. in Aviation Flight Operations and an MBA from Daniel Webster College. She is a certificated commercial pilot, flight instructor, and remote pilot. Rita lives in NH in an old farmhouse on a dirt road with her husband and two daughters. She is obsessed with books, gardening, making sourdough bread, and anything with wings.
	RYAN CARR Director of Innovation Applications L3Harris Ryan Carr is the Director of Innovation Applications in the Office of the CTO at L3Harris Technologies, where he focuses on venture technology and innovation—identifying, evaluating, and accelerating emerging technologies with strategic and operational potential. He brings extensive experience in product management and business development across the software and electronic technology sectors, with broad expertise in translating innovative concepts into practical solutions. His work drives mission success and business growth across the L3Harris enterprise, advancing the company’s leadership in complex technology environments.
	MICHAEL CLATWORTHY VP Emerging Technologies GreenSight Michael Clatworthy is a business leader with extensive experience in aviation, cyber-physical systems, and unmanned aircraft. Prior to joining GreenSight, Michael served as the Head of Operations for two companies focused on industrial inspection using drones, IOT devices, computer vision, and data analytics. In both companies, he led teams of operators and engineers in designing systems to detect hydrocarbons in the oil & gas production and refining space. Before entering the UAS space, Michael served as product manager for GE Aviation’s military engine business. Michael’s aviation career began as a scout helicopter pilot, flying the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior for the US Army.
	KEVIN COSTELLO Senior Vice President of Northeast VertiPorts by Atlantic With over 25 years of experience in aviation and infrastructure development, Kevin leads the planning and execution of the vertiport network across the East Coast, with a focus on the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut region. He previously served as Director of Properties and Infrastructure Development at JetBlue Airways, where he led major airport projects including the $3.9 billion Terminal 6 expansion at JFK and the international expansion of Terminal 5. Kevin also played a key role in the privatization of San Juan Airport, negotiating on behalf of the airline community under the FAA’s Airport Privatization Pilot Program. Prior to JetBlue, Kevin held various operations leadership roles for USAirways Express at Boston Logan and New York LaGuardia Airport. Kevin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from Boston University. His deep experience in complex airport development projects and airline partnerships supports the successful delivery of next generation vertiport infrastructure.
	ROBIN GRACE Chief of AAM Integration & Strategy MassDOT Aeronautics Robin Grace, a highly experienced leader in aviation operations, planning, and training, currently serves as the Chief of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Integration and Strategy for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Aeronautics Division, where she spearheads innovation and strategic initiatives in the aviation industry. She has experience in both military and civilian sectors, contributing to aerial transportation and safety. During her time in the United States Air Force, she was a fixed-wing and large UAS pilot and was the first female AC-130H Aircraft Commander and the first Air Force Special Operations Command large UAS launch and recovery pilot. She also served as the Chief of UAS Operations for MassDOT Aeronautics, working on integrating unmanned aerial systems into the national airspace with a focus on safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance. Robin is committed to promoting collaboration between government agencies, industry stakeholders, and academia to support innovation in the aviation industry. Ms. Grace earned a Bachelor of Science from the United States Air Force Academy, a Master of Arts from the University of Oklahoma, and a Master of Business Administration from Syracuse University. She holds various certificates and licenses, including FAA Commercial/Multi-Engine/Instrument/Single Engine Pilot, FAA Part 107 Small UAS Pilot, and Project Management Professional Certification.
	BRIAN GRANT Managing Director American Robotics A forward-thinking strategist passionate about shaping the future of military and commercial aerospace. With deep experience in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and Counter-UAS (C-UAS) programs, with a focus on turning complex challenges into practical, scalable solutions that strengthen real-world operations. Driven by innovation, resilience, and collaboration, and helping organizations move faster, think bigger, and stay ahead in an evolving global aerospace landscape.
	RYAN JARVIS Chief Technology Officer Brecourt Solutions Ryan Jarvis designs, builds, and fields mission-critical unmanned aircraft for defense, security, and law-enforcement operations. A former Naval Aviator and U.S. Naval Special Warfare UAS Officer in Charge, he spent 20 years in the Navy advancing tactical drone capabilities and training U.S. government and allied teams to deploy UAS in complex, high-risk environments. Ryan has built 800+ UAVs—making him one of the industry’s most prolific hands-on developers—and his work spans tactical deployment, ISR, and advanced mission integration. As Chief Technology Officer and a founding team member at Brecourt Solutions, he leads development of autonomous, threat-response UAV systems used for defense and public-safety missions.
	MATT KLING Vice President & General Manager of AI Systems MatrixSpace Matthew Kling is Vice President & General Manager of AI Systems at MatrixSpace, where he leads the development of intelligent sensing platforms that help organizations better sense and secure the outdoors. He oversees the teams behind MatrixSpace AiEdge and AiCloud—the distributed AI platforms that form the foundation of the company’s radar, optical, and multi-sensor fusion capabilities. A visionary in distributed sensing AI and a recognized expert in counter-UAS (CUAS) technology, Matthew has built his career at the intersection of advanced software, RF systems, sensing, and autonomy. His prior work on complex defense systems at RTX, along with his research leadership at Northeastern University, focused on drone detection and mitigation, and helped lay the groundwork for the next generation of CUAS innovation. Today, he drives the strategy and execution of scalable, AI-powered sensing solutions that enable users to see more, understand more, and act faster in dynamic environments.
	ROB KNOCHENHAUER Principal Advisor Protocol UAS Rob Knochenhauer is an advanced aviation flight operations enabler & regulatory strategist. As the principal founder of Protocol UAS, Rob leads the support of client organizations in leveraging emerging technologies to create solutions (primarily in UAS operations) to perform routine task work safely and more efficiently across a variety of industries. Rob learned the fundamentals of design work, starting his career as a certificated Airframe & Powerplant aircraft mechanic and then transitioned into engineering, where he spent fifteen years supporting and ultimately leading the development of numerous unmanned systems (ground, sea & air) with Foster-Miller and Aurora Flight Sciences. Concurrent with his role at Protocol, Rob has led efforts to secure Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operational waivers (relief from § 107.31 in the US) for use cases ranging from linear infrastructure inspection to general surveying at Censys Technologies, and had supported Massachusetts DOT’s UAS program by developing strategy for complex UAS operations (corridor BVLOS). Rob’s unique experience in UxS design, coupled with the knowledge of a spectrum of UAS operations profiles, allows Rob to effectively communicate operational intent (where the focus on safety is paramount) to regulators (CAAs) for seeking approvals to operate beyond the established rules.
	STEPHEN E. MICHNA State Program Manager for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) Stephen Michna serves as the State Program Manager for Unmanned Aircraft Systems at CTDOT, where he leads the agency’s statewide drone program. He oversees all UAS missions, equipment, and more than 30 remote pilots. He is responsible for developing standard operating procedures, ensuring FAA compliance, and expanding drone integration across multiple bureaus. Stephen also leads the Connecticut Interagency Unmanned Systems Working Group, which focuses on advancing BVLOS operations, DFR, and crafting a coordinated shared infrastructure and operational frameworks across multiple state agencies. Before joining CTDOT, Stephen served as Lead Engineer of Drone Engineering at Eversource Energy, leading UAS operations across three states. His earlier career includes roles in engineering insurance with Munich Re Group. Stephen holds a Civil Engineering degree from Northeastern University, postgraduate studies in Industrial Management from KU Leuven in Belgium, and a Master of Science in Unmanned Systems from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Stephen also serves as a certified Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), and small business owner.
	DAN O’SHEA Sales Manager, Global Commercial & Public Sector Sales MatrixSpace Dan O’Shea has been helping drone pilots and programs craft approaches for airspace deconfliction for the past 4 years. As the sales lead at MatrixSpace and the former Director of Global Sales at Iris Automation, Dan has worked to help UAS pilots increase autonomy in their operations, while also ensuring that all flyers can safely enjoy the airspace. He has deep knowledge about the different types of Detect and Avoid sensors and how to incorporate these critical safety technologies into uncrewed operations. In his roles at MatrixSpace and Iris Automation, Dan collaboratively worked with multiple Fortune 500 companies, defense primes, and public safety organizations. His efforts resulted in his customers securing numerous precedent-setting Beyond-Visual-Line-of-Sight approvals in both the United States and Canada. He is also an industry thought leader, having presented both in person and online at conferences and webinars, and has authored multiple blog pieces.
	JOSH ROUSSEAU Northeast U.S. Regional Representative Vertical Aviation International Josh Rousseau is a government affairs expert with over twenty years of experience working at the highest levels of state government including over a decade as a senior staffer to the assistant speaker of the New York State Assembly, an appointment by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to serve as assistant secretary for legislative affairs, and an assignment to serve as the deputy chief of staff at the New York State Department of Transportation. Since joining VAI as its regional representative for the Northeastern United States, Josh led the successful effort to save New York City’s West 30th Street Heliport and has worked with stakeholders on community compatibility solutions in multiple states. He continues to lead discussions with VAI members, local and regional elected officials, government partners, and others to identify opportunities to advance vertical aviation while ensuring that industry is represented and heard at this critical time for the integration of new technologies and the future of our airspace. Josh was also recently elected to serve on the board of the Eastern Region Helicopter Council (ERHC).
	PARKER VASCIK Director of Product Strategy Electra Dr. Vascik’s lecture will engage the audience in discussion about how the recent advancements in mobility electrification have opened a revolutionary third era of aircraft design promising step changes in aircraft performance, efficiency, and cost. Although the specific energy, cost, and real-world operational limitations of batteries excludes full-electric manned aircraft beyond short-range missions, the thoughtful application of electric propulsion complements conventional combustion engines and opens a wealth of new vehicle design opportunities. For hybrid-electric propulsion, the devil is in the details. Dr. Vascik will use Electra’s turbine-hybrid EL9 “Ultra Short” aircraft as a case study to discuss the implementation, limitations, and opportunities of hybridization today. Furthermore, Electra is leading a 25-year technology roadmapping study for NASA to provide leadership on how hybrid-electric powertrains will mature from small aircraft applications to regional jet and airliner concepts by 2050. Dr. Vascik will transition the discussion to brainstorm how future high-efficiency airframes with tightly integrated hybrid propulsion systems will enable optimization for efficiency, noise, and performance unreachable by conventional power trains. Lastly, with nearly $20B invested in electrified aircraft during the past 10 years, dozens of credible new companies, and hundreds of new aircraft concepts, the third era of aviation is revitalizing the aeronautical engineering workforce pipeline and attracting the world’s best talent back to the passion of flight. Aviation is having a Space-X moment and would be remiss to squander that once-in-many generations opportunity. Dr. Vascik will speak to the students concerning how their timing could not be better for career-defining programs, experiences, and impact. Dr. Vascik is a systems engineer focused on the intersection of emerging technologies, business, and policy. While rapidly advancing technology is enabling the development of a new generation of increasingly electric and autonomous aircraft, Dr. Vascik concentrates on the critical role that the systems and economics surrounding aircraft operations play in their ultimate viability and time-to-market. Dr. Vascik completed his Ph.D. at MIT, as well as dual MS degrees in aerospace engineering and technology policy. His undergraduate was at Georgia Tech. He currently is a research engineer at MIT’s International Center for Air Transportation and the director of product strategy for Electra. Dr. Vascik previously supported autonomy development programs at Joby Aviation and Xwing, and was a nominated expert to ICAO CAEP working group 4 where he contributed to the development and sustainment of international environmental policies.
	NICK WASINGER Systems Engineering Lead The MITRE Corporation Nick Wasinger is a Systems Engineering Lead for the MITRE Corporation, focused on developing and integrating counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS). He has been working in the C-UAS enterprise for more than 10 years. From 2015 to 2022, Nick served as the Government Chief Engineer for the U.S. Air Force C-UAS Program Office, fulfilling Joint Urgent Operational Needs and establishing the first C-UAS program of record. He developed, integrated, and acquired 16 separate C-UAS systems, and deployed 6 different C-UAS system-of-systems configurations to 76 locations across the world for both the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. From 2022 to the present, Nick has been developing and integrating next generation C-UAS concepts and capabilities for the Department of War, Department of Homeland Security, and State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial (SLTT) governments. Prior to C-UAS, Nick performed research, development, and rapid acquisitions to counter improvised explosive devices (C-IED). He also worked as test, transition, operational support, and sustainment engineering for a multitude of space-related capabilities: the launch and test range (LTRS), on-orbit military satellite communications (MILSATCOM), MILSATCOM command and control (C2), and the space test and training range (STTR).