The Unmanned Safety Institute (USI) has announced the formation of its inaugural Industry Advisory Board, a group of leaders from across the unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) ecosystem convened to align education, training and industry-recognized credentials with the workforce demands of a rapidly evolving industry. The board held its first meeting on September 2, 2026, at the Commercial UAV Expo and Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The timing reflects a critical juncture for the UAS industry. 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 that the board is not a symbolic gesture. "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," Olds said.
If finalized broadly as proposed, Part 108 could accelerate the transition from individual flights to repeatable programs that use fleets, remote operations, automation and UAS Traffic Management services. That shift 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 extend 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; and individuals need pathways that connect learning to credible career opportunities.
The Industry 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 also 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 bring extensive experience from aviation, energy, logistics, insurance, telecommunications and agriculture. They include Andrew Spiegel of United States Aircraft Insurance Group; Calvin Rieb of Cargill; Drew Talley of Skyways; Jim Ogletree of Amazon Prime Air; Joseph Keck of MGM Resorts International; Kyle Miller of Censys Technologies; Matt Gulsvig, formerly of American Tower; Nate Robie of Dominion Energy; Rita Castonguay-Hunt, a pilot and program director; Toni Drummond of Future Flight Global; Will Dawson of the Agricultural Drone Initiative; and Will Wheeler of Southern Company.
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.
