The Unmanned Safety Institute (USI) has announced the creation of its first Industry Advisory Board, a group of leaders from across the unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) ecosystem. The board's formation comes as the industry anticipates the Federal Aviation Administration's proposed Part 108 framework, which would establish rules for routine, scalable beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations. The board held its inaugural meeting on September 2, 2026, at the Commercial UAV Expo and Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The significance of this advisory board lies in its potential to bridge the gap between education, training, and the real-world demands of an industry on the cusp of major regulatory and operational change. Part 108, if finalized as proposed, would address not only piloting but also operating authorizations, aircraft airworthiness, separation from other aircraft, security, recordkeeping, third-party services, and organizational responsibilities. This would accelerate the shift from individual flights to repeatable programs involving fleets, remote operations, automation, and UAS Traffic Management services.
Such a transition will require a workforce skilled in safety management systems, aircraft maintenance, mission coordination, data management, risk assessment, and program leadership. As USI President and CEO Josh Olds stated, "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 advisory board will advise USI in four primary areas: 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 as technology and regulation evolve. The board will serve in an advisory capacity, with USI retaining responsibility for curriculum, certification, and program decisions.
The inaugural board members bring a wealth of experience from diverse sectors. Andrew Spiegel, Senior Vice President at United States Aircraft Insurance Group, offers expertise in aviation risk and unmanned aircraft underwriting. Calvin Rieb, a Senior Director at Cargill, leads global drone program strategy. Drew Talley, Head of Flight Operations at Skyways, oversees autonomous cargo aircraft operations. Jim Ogletree, Chief Pilot at Amazon Prime Air, contributes insights from Amazon's drone delivery program. Joseph Keck, Aviation Safety and Drone Manager at MGM Resorts International, brings hands-on aviation experience. Kyle Miller, Head of Infrastructure Markets at Censys Technologies, focuses on long-range UAS for infrastructure. Matt Gulsvig, a technology innovator, pioneered American Tower's UAS program. Nate Robie leads unmanned systems strategy at Dominion Energy 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, Founder of Future Flight Global, advances electric, hybrid, and unmanned aviation. Will Dawson, Founder of the Agricultural Drone Initiative, works on agricultural UAS policy and development. Will Wheeler, Principal, UAS for Southern Company, leads enterprise uncrewed aircraft strategy.
The board's work is critical for several reasons. High schools and colleges need clearer signals about the knowledge and capabilities employers will value. Companies need reliable ways to identify and develop qualified talent. Individuals need pathways that connect learning to credible career opportunities. By bringing together these leaders, USI aims to interpret industry signals and translate them into practical education and workforce-development decisions.
For more information about USI's Advisory Board, visit https://www.flyusi.org/about/advisory-board. To learn more about USI, visit www.flyusi.org.
