Unmanned Safety Institute Launches Industry Advisory Board to Address UAS Workforce Gaps

The Unmanned Safety Institute (USI) has established its first Industry Advisory Board, a strategic body comprising leaders from across the unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) ecosystem. The board, which held its inaugural meeting on September 2, 2026, at the Commercial UAV Expo and Conference in Las Vegas, aims to ensure that education, training, and industry-recognized credentials keep pace with the rapidly evolving demands of the UAS industry.

The formation of this board comes at a critical juncture. The Federal Aviation Administration's proposed Part 108 framework is designed to facilitate routine, scalable beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations. This proposal extends far beyond piloting to include operating authorizations, aircraft airworthiness, separation from other aircraft, security, recordkeeping, third-party services, and organizational responsibilities. If finalized, Part 108 could accelerate the shift from individual flights to repeatable programs utilizing fleets, remote operations, automation, and UAS Traffic Management services. Such a transition will require professionals skilled in safety management systems, aircraft maintenance, mission coordination, data management, risk assessment, and program leadership.

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 advisory board will focus on four primary areas: validating curriculum against current operating practices, identifying emerging job roles and skill gaps, strengthening the connection between education, credentials, and employer expectations, and maintaining an aviation-grade focus on safety as technology and regulation evolve. USI will use the board's feedback to evaluate program evolution and identify where new learning pathways are needed. The board serves 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 (USAIG), offers expertise in aviation risk and unmanned aircraft underwriting. Calvin Rieb, Senior Director at Cargill, leads global drone program strategy and operations. 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 commercial 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, specializes in BVLOS operations for infrastructure. Matt Gulsvig, founder of American Tower's UAS Program, scaled a nationwide enterprise drone operation. Nate Robie, who leads unmanned systems strategy at Dominion Energy, 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, focuses on agricultural UAS policy and regulatory reform. Will Wheeler, Principal, UAS for Southern Company, leads enterprise uncrewed aircraft strategy and operational governance.

This initiative matters because it addresses a looming workforce challenge that accompanies regulatory change. As Part 108 moves toward potential finalization, employers and educators must prepare for operations that are more automated, distributed, and integrated with the National Airspace System. The advisory board will help USI interpret industry signals and translate them into practical education and workforce-development decisions, ensuring that learners and organizations build the knowledge, judgment, and safety culture required for professional unmanned operations. For more information, visit USI's Advisory Board page or www.flyusi.org.