NUAIR names Hertzendorf permanent president and CEO

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — NUAIR announced it has appointed Michael Hertzendorf as its new president and CEO. He previously served as NUAIR’s interim CEO, and since 2018, as its chief of staff.

Hertzendorf succeeds Major General Marke (Hoot) Gibson (ret) as the organization’s top official. NUAIR had “no comment” on Gibson’s departure, which happened back in March, NUAIR told BJNN in an email message.

Syracuse–based NUAIR is short for Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research. The nonprofit organization works on unmanned-aircraft systems (UAS) operations, aeronautical research, safety management, and consulting services. NUAIR manages operations of the New York UAS test site at Griffiss International Airport in Rome, one of just seven Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-designated UAS test sites in the U.S.

In his role, Hertzendorf will continue to lead the advancement of New York’s 50-mile UAS corridor, “creating a fiscally responsible business structure and enhancing NUAIR’s services,” the organization said.

Additionally, he will be responsible for managing the organization’s strategy-development process and the execution of supporting fiscal, business development, outreach, and communications plans. He will also execute operations and development for the organization and identify key areas of growth and new partnerships.

“I look forward to our continued growth, advancement of the UAS industry in Central New York and operations with New York State organizations,” Hertzendorf said in a news release. “The drone ecosystem we are building here in Central New York, along with the New York UAS test site and 50-mile corridor is truly making Central New York the global center of UAS advancement and integration.”

Prior to his role at NUAIR, Hertzendorf served in the U.S. Army for nearly 30 years as a special operations aviator. He has more than two decades of command and leadership experience, including battalion command, regiment command, and division chief of staff. Hertzendorf earned a master’s degree in national security and strategy from the U.S. Army War College, a master’s degree in public administration from Murray State University, and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Ithaca College.

“Mike brings significant leadership, vision and expertise to NUAIR and has served the organization well in an interim position and as chief of staff,” Robert Simpson, president and CEO of CenterState CEO and board member of NUAIR, said. “We are excited to formally welcome him into this role and know he will drive the results needed to advance the UAS industry and further the region’s position as a global leader.”

NUAIR and CenterState CEO are organizational partners in the effort to build public and private partnerships to advance UAS and UTM (UAS traffic management) technologies, and create a hub for the industry that will attract investments and business development.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo in November 2016 announced a $30 million investment to develop the 50-mile UAS corridor between Syracuse and Griffiss International Airport in Rome. The corridor seeks to advance the unmanned aircraft systems industry in Central New York as part of the CNY Rising initiative. Within the 50-mile corridor, “strategic investments will accelerate industry growth by supporting emerging uses” of UAS in key industries, including agriculture and forest management, transportation and logistics, utilities and infrastructure, and public safety, NUAIR said.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com