SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The NUAIR Alliance — an organizational partner of CenterState CEO that manages one of seven unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) test sites in the U.S. — has hired retired Major General Marke F. (Hoot) Gibson as its new CEO.
He begins his new post Nov. 13 and will oversee the NUAIR Alliance’s efforts to “safely integrate” UAS into the national airspace system, according to a news release from the NUAIR Alliance and CenterState CEO, the region’s primary economic-development organization.
Gibson will lead NUAIR’s oversight of UAS testing conducted in New York, Massachusetts, and Michigan, and a $30 million investment by New York State to build a 50-mile UAS traffic management (UTM) corridor and “put the region at the forefront of UAS research and development,” the alliance said.
Gibson most recently served as senior advisor on unmanned aircraft systems integration to the deputy administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
“My vision is to create an unsurpassed ‘innovation friendly’ environment for UAS research, testing and operation” Gibson said. “With all of our state economic and technical support, I think we are well positioned to become the most favored site for all aspects of UAS testing and operation. We already won a tough competition to become one of our nation’s seven test sites and we are now poised to take that capability to the next level. I can assure you, I wouldn’t have taken this position if I didn’t think we were ready.”
The NUAIR board of directors selected Gibson after a search process facilitated by McDermott & Bull, an Irvine, California–based executive search firm that specializes in leadership roles.
Larry Brinker, who served as NUAIR’s interim president and CEO during the search process, is staying on as the alliance’s executive director and general counsel.
“I look forward to welcoming General Gibson to lead the NUAIR team and believe he has the right combination of drive and expertise to build on the momentum we have created with the UAS sector in the region,” Brinker said in the release.
“We are extremely excited to welcome someone with Hoot’s knowledge, experience and passion to the role of CEO of the NUAIR Alliance,” added Rob Simpson, president of CenterState CEO. “His leadership will enable the collaborative advancement of NUAIR’s mission and the region will expand its engagement of businesses and experts to advance critical research and development of the sector across Central New York.”
In November 2016, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced a $30 million investment to develop the 50-mile flight traffic management system between Syracuse and Griffiss International Airport in Rome to advance the UAS industry in Central New York as part of the CNY Rising initiative. Within the 50-mile corridor, strategic investments are supposed to accelerate industry growth by supporting emerging uses of unmanned aircraft systems in key industries, including agriculture and forest management, transportation and logistics, media and film development, utilities and infrastructure, and public safety.
Gibson previously served as executive director of the NextGen Institute, which provides professional services to the UAS Joint Program Development Office. He has also owned his own aviation consulting firm, per the release.
Gibson retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2011 after 33 years of service and holding numerous senior command and staff positions earning him the rank of major general. He retired as the Air Force’s director of current operations and training, where he led the startup of a new cyber career field and its integration into Air Force operations. Gibson also worked on behalf of the Air Force secretary and chief of staff on ways to better integrate unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) into the national airspace, the NUAIR Alliance said. This involved continuous engagement with the FAA, Homeland Defense, and numerous congressional delegations. As the director of training, Gibson was also responsible for the startup of a separate career field and unique training path for those who fly Air Force remote piloted aircrafts today.
Gibson and his wife will relocate to the Central New York area from Northern Virginia.
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Photo credit: NUAIR Alliance/ CenterState CEO
