News regarding the leadership at what have become staples of the drone industry have dominated the headlines of late, with the official update regarding Commercial UAV Americas Advisory Board coming out on the heels of the announcement of three new board members of the Commercial Drone Alliance. Both highlight what it means for UAS specialists and industry experts to come together in ways that will ensure the growth of the commercial drone market and UAV technology continues to make sense for operators and enterprises of all types.

Brendan Groves, Benjamin Schwartz and James Grimsley have joined the CDA to move the commercial drone and advanced aerial mobility industries forward in a way that is safe and secure and ensures the future of the airspace. All three new members are working at the forefront of the drone industry. Groves is Head of Regulatory and Policy Affairs at Skydio, Inc. while Schwartz serves as the Head of Global Central Government Affairs at Zipline. James Grimsley, Executive Director for Advanced Technology Initiatives, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.

Lisa Ellman, Executive Director of the Commercial Drone Alliance, mentioned how thrilled the CDA is to work with all three, but what made them ideal fits for these leadership positions?

“These three distinguished individuals represent visionary organizations that are leading the way in aviation innovation for our country,” Ellman told Commercial UAV News. “Each is individually working closely with the federal government to push emerging aviation technology policy boundaries forward, and they will bring their deep and diverse experience, expertise and relationships to bear for the commercial drone industry as a whole in their new role on the CDA board.”  

Groves, Schwartz and Grimsley will join existing board members Margaret Nagle, Head of Policy and Government Affairs of Wing, and Grant Jordan, CEO of SkySafe to lead the efforts of the CDA. The entire Advisory Board is committed to increasing worker safety, protecting the environment, and reducing costs for individual operators and for entire enterprise organizations, highlighting what it means for drone technology to create bottom line value in countless sectors.

As entire industries continue to be reshaped in 2021 and beyond, one of the phrases that continues to resonate is simply put as, “leaders matter.” Leadership teams will define how technology like drones can ease challenges or create opportunities in enterprise workflows, underscoring the prominent role that the new leadership team at the Commercial Drone Alliance will play in terms of how these challenges and opportunities are recognized and realized.

Learn more about the Commercial Drone Alliance.