The Unmanned Safety Institute (USI) has announced the formation of its first Industry Advisory Board, bringing together leaders from across the unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) ecosystem. The board, which held its inaugural meeting at the Commercial UAV Expo and Conference in Las Vegas on September 2, 2026, aims to align education, training, and industry-recognized credentials with the workforce demands of a rapidly evolving industry.
The timing of this initiative is significant. The Federal Aviation Administration's proposed Part 108 framework is intended to create a more predictable pathway for routine, scalable beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations. The proposal addresses far more than piloting; it includes operating authorizations, aircraft airworthiness, separation from other aircraft, security, recordkeeping, third-party services, and organizational responsibilities. As the industry awaits final action, employers and educators face a shared question: how should the workforce prepare for operations that are more automated, more distributed, and more closely integrated with the National Airspace System?
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," he said. "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 change. USI will use the board's feedback to evaluate where programs should evolve, where new learning pathways may be needed, and where industry expectations are still unsettled. The board will serve in an advisory capacity; USI will remain responsible for curriculum, certification, and program decisions.
The inaugural board members include Andrew Spiegel, Senior Vice President and Head of Unmanned Aircraft Underwriting at United States Aircraft Insurance Group (USAIG); Calvin Rieb, Senior Director and Global Remotely Operated Systems Leader at Cargill; Drew Talley, Head of Flight Operations at Skyways; Jim Ogletree, Chief Pilot at Amazon Prime Air; Joseph Keck, Aviation Safety and Drone Manager at MGM Resorts International; Kyle Miller, Head of Infrastructure Markets at Censys Technologies; Matt Gulsvig, technology innovator and UAS aviation leader who pioneered drones at American Tower; Nate Robie, who leads unmanned systems strategy and operations at Dominion Energy; Rita Castonguay-Hunt, pilot and program director specializing in crewed and uncrewed aviation operations; Toni Drummond, Founder and Managing Director of Future Flight Global; Will Dawson, Founder of the Agricultural Drone Initiative; and Will Wheeler, Principal, UAS for Southern Company.
The formation of this board comes at a critical juncture. If Part 108 is finalized broadly as proposed, it could accelerate the transition from individual flights to repeatable programs that use fleets, remote operations, automation, and UAS Traffic Management services. That transition will require professionals who can operate within safety management systems, maintain aircraft and systems, coordinate missions, manage data, assess risk, and lead accountable programs. These needs reach beyond commercial operators. 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.
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.
