The Unmanned Safety Institute (USI) has established its first Industry Advisory Board, a move that signals a proactive effort to bridge the gap between UAS education and the rapidly evolving needs of employers and operators. The board, which held its inaugural meeting on September 2, 2026, at the Commercial UAV Expo in Las Vegas, brings together leaders from across the unmanned aircraft systems ecosystem to provide strategic insight and candid feedback as USI evaluates and develops training programs.
The timing is critical. The Federal Aviation Administration's proposed Part 108 framework aims to create a predictable pathway for routine, scalable beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations. If finalized, it could accelerate the shift from individual flights to repeatable programs involving fleets, remote operations, automation, and UAS Traffic Management services. This transition will demand a workforce skilled in safety management systems, aircraft maintenance, mission coordination, data management, risk assessment, and program leadership—far beyond basic piloting.
Josh Olds, President and CEO of USI, emphasized the board's substantive role: "The strongest training programs are built with the people responsible for putting technology to work safely. This board is not ceremonial. We are asking these leaders to examine our assumptions, challenge our priorities and help us keep education aligned with what employers and operators will actually need as the industry moves into its next phase."
The implications extend beyond regulatory compliance. High schools and colleges need clear signals about the skills employers value; companies need reliable ways to identify qualified talent; and individuals need pathways to credible careers. The advisory board will help USI interpret these signals and translate them into practical education and workforce-development decisions. Its charge includes validating curriculum against current operating practice, identifying emerging job roles and skill gaps, strengthening the connection among education, credentials, and employer expectations, and maintaining an aviation-grade focus on safety.
The board comprises 12 inaugural members, each bringing deep expertise from diverse sectors. Andrew Spiegel of USAIG specializes in aviation risk and unmanned aircraft underwriting. Calvin Rieb of Cargill leads global remotely operated systems. Drew Talley of Skyways oversees autonomous cargo aircraft operations. Jim Ogletree is Chief Pilot at Amazon Prime Air. Joseph Keck manages aviation safety and drone operations at MGM Resorts International. Kyle Miller of Censys Technologies focuses on BVLOS operations for infrastructure. Matt Gulsvig pioneered American Tower's nationwide drone program. Nate Robie built Dominion Energy's unmanned systems program and serves on the FAA's BVLOS Aviation Rulemaking Committee. Rita Castonguay-Hunt is a pilot and program director specializing in crewed and uncrewed aviation operations. Toni Drummond of Future Flight Global advances electric, hybrid, and unmanned aviation. Will Dawson founded the Agricultural Drone Initiative. Will Wheeler leads UAS strategy at Southern Company, securing complex FAA approvals for utility missions.
USI will use the board's feedback to evaluate where programs should evolve and where new learning pathways are needed. The board will serve in an advisory capacity, with USI retaining responsibility for curriculum, certification, and program decisions. For more information, visit the advisory board page at https://www.flyusi.org/about/advisory-board.
This initiative matters because it addresses a looming workforce challenge that could otherwise undermine the safe and efficient integration of UAS into the national airspace. By aligning education with industry needs, USI aims to ensure that as regulations like Part 108 take shape, there are enough trained professionals to support scalable, safe, and innovative unmanned operations. The board's work could set a precedent for how industries prepare their workforces for technological and regulatory disruptions.
