2026 Speakers

  • Ted is the Executive Director for the National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence (NAAMCE). In this role, Ted is responsible for attraction, expansion, and retention of AAM partners, companies, and suppliers throughout Ohio. He convenes key stakeholders across the state, including researchers, industry leaders, military personnel, and government officials to foster collaborative efforts aligning with Ohio’s industry strategy.  

    Prior to his role as the Executive Director, Ted held multiple positions at the Dayton Development Coalition, a network partner for JobsOhio. Those positions consisted of Director of Projects and Business Development for Aerospace & Defense and Aerospace Affairs Director. 

    Before his tenure at the Coalition and NAAMCE, Ted spent twenty-seven and half years in the United States Air Force, serving in every major leadership role to include Aircrew Flight Equipment Superintendent, Squadron Superintendent, Command Manager and Senior Enlisted Leader.  

    Ted was born in Texas and raised in the Warren, Ohio area, Ted received his B.A. from American Military University in International Relations and has completed all Senior Enlisted Military education to include the Joint Special Operations Forces Senior Enlisted Academy (JSOFSEA).  

    Ted is an active volunteer in his community in his spare time and he and his wife Adina have three adult children and reside in the Dayton Region. 

  • Rob Rue is a local business owner and community leader serving as Mayor of Springfield, Ohio. As President of Littleton & Rue Funeral Home, a family-owned funeral home and crematory, he has spent his career serving families throughout the community with compassion, professionalism and care. Mayor Rue brings that same spirit of service, energy and dedication to his role as Mayor. Working alongside the City Commission and City Leadership, he is focused on advancing economic development, supporting public safety and ensuring effective City operations. Known for his practical, collaborative leadership style, Mayor Rue values strong communication, partnership and community engagement. He is committed to positioning Springfield for continued growth and opportunity while maintaining the strong sense of community that defines the City. 

     

  • State Representative Bernie Willis is currently serving his second term in the Ohio House of Representatives. He represents the 74th House District encompassing Springfield and most of northern and western Clark County. Willis is the Chair of the House Transportation Committee and newly founded Aviation Caucus. He is also the former Vice Chair of the Aviation and Aerospace Committee and Chair of the Veterans Caucus.

    Representative Willis was a career military pilot earning the rank of colonel as a multi-tour commander who flew F-16s and unmanned MQ-1 Predator drones before becoming a federal law enforcement officer at the Springfield Air National Guard base.  Willis served as a reservist in the acquisition enterprise at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base prior to retiring from military service in 2023 with 30 years of active duty in his 36 years in Air Force uniform. 

    Colonel Willis was an adjunct professor in unmanned aviation with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Sinclair Community College. He is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, distinguished graduate of the MQ-1 Predator transition course, and was the top Distinguished Graduate of the Air Force Security Forces Officer course where he received the 4-Star Air Education and Training Command commander's award for excellence.

    Willis is active in the community as a Clark County Deputy Sheriff,  former board member of the Greater Springfield Partnership, and an Elder at Fellowship Christian Church.  Col. Willis also serves around the state as a member of the Miami Valley Military Affairs Association, and as past-President and current board member of Veterans Empowered Through Motorsports in Columbus.  

    Bernie and his wife Lynne have been married for more than 30 years.  They have three grown children: Shelby, who is a vocal artist/music educator/education tech specialist, Jon, who is a West Point graduate U.S. Army Captain, Apache Helicopter pilot and commander, and Noah, who is a Purdue University graduate mechanical engineer.  

Welcome

Keynote Address

  • Introducing Marc Allen is J.P. Nauseef

    J.P. is the president and CEO of JobsOhio, the state of Ohio’s private economic development corporation, a position he has held since March 2019. JobsOhio is unique amongst state-wide economic development organizations, due to its private structure; stable, non-governmental funding and statewide coverage through six regional network partners.

    J.P. is a veteran and began his career as a United States Air Force Officer managing space and technology development programs with assignments at Los Angeles Air Force Base California and Wright Patterson Air Force Base Ohio.

    After his Air Force service, J.P. joined Deloitte and Touche as a management consultant prior to his beginning his first foray into economic development with the Dayton Development Coalition (DDC). During his tenure leading the DDC, the organization transformed to become a truly regional, public-private partnership recognized as the national model for community support of military installations. Wright Pat’s employment and economic impact on Ohio doubled and continues to grow.

    After his service leading the DDC, J.P. became president and managing director of a privately held investment portfolio focused of early-stage, media-tech with operating locations in Ohio, New York, Los Angeles, Boston and Tel Aviv. Capitalizing on market innovations in video, traditional media and digital advertising, he co-founded the Krush Media group and served as its executive chairman prior to his current role with JobsOhio.

    J.P. is passionate about supporting military families and veterans, co-founding Hometown Heroes and the Big Hoopla, innovative, community-based initiatives designed to generate broad-based recognition and appreciation for military members, families, veterans and those who serve. These programs have earned recognition as national ‘best-practices’ and provided over 50,000 military members, families and students the opportunity to attend NCAA college basketball, minor league baseball games, the arts and more.

    J.P. earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Dayton, and his Air Force commission through Wright State University’s ROTC program. He earned his master’s degree from the University of Southern California.

    J.P. is married Carmen Cubas Nauseef and they have four sons, Jack, Daniel, William and Nicholas.

  • Marc Allen is the Chief Executive Officer of Electra.aero. At Electra, Marc is leading the charge in developing hybrid-electric Ultra Short aircraft to define the next level of seamless air travel connectivity. Through direct aviation, Electra is bringing air travel closer to where people live, work, and play – without airports, emissions, or noise.

    Marc joined Electra after a distinguished career at The Boeing Company, where he held several key leadership roles, including Chief Strategy Officer and Senior Vice President for Strategy and Corporate Development.  He led the $5 billion customer finance business before spending nearly a decade on Boeing's Executive Council, where he served as President of Boeing International and oversaw critical enterprise-wide functions. As head of all venture businesses, he led Wisk Aero’s restructuring and full acquisition, focusing on the future of autonomous flight and serving as Chairman. Other roles at Boeing included President of the Embraer Partnership, President of Boeing China, and General Counsel of Boeing International.

    Marc chairs the world's largest anti-slavery NGO, the International Justice Mission. He also serves on the boards of Procter & Gamble, The Trilateral Commission, the JFK Library Foundation, and the Virginia Museum of History and Culture. Marc is an Aspen Institute Henry Crown Fellow and a lifetime member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Earlier in his career, he clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy. He holds a degree from Princeton University and a JD from Yale Law School.‍

    Marc and his wife have four college-age children and live in Virginia.  A private pilot, he stays current by flying out of KHEF, where Electra is headquartered.

eIPP: Progress, Lessons Learned & Next Steps Panel 

  • Dr. Taylor Lochrane is the Director of the Highly Automated Systems Safety Center of Excellence (HASS COE). Dr. Lochrane is an esteemed leader with two decades of experience in both the federal and private sectors. He is recognized nationally as an innovative entrepreneur in the fields of transportation, safety, automation, and research. Dr. Lochrane recently served as the Deputy Director and Chief Scientist for HASS COE. In this role, he was responsible for establishing the office and leading the team of national experts with the vision to be a national resource for expertise, research, and global leadership in advancing the safe deployment of automation in transportation. Dr. Lochrane's leadership skills have allowed him to successfully review, assess, and validate highly automated systems for safety on behalf of USDOT.

    Prior to joining HASS COE, Dr. Lochrane served as the Cooperative Driving Automation (CDA) Program Manager at the Federal Highway Administration, where he was responsible for managing the development of CARMA, part of a USDOT effort to accelerate the research and development of CDA. Dr. Lochrane is also known for his expertise in leveraging open-source software and using agile software development practices to accelerate innovative concepts aimed to increase the safety and improve the overall infrastructure efficiency of the transportation system. 

    Dr. Lochrane received a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, M.S. in Civil Engineering and Transportation Systems, and B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Central Florida. 

  • Will Watts, Chief Operations Officer (COO) and Assistant Secretary for the Florida Department of Transportation, has a long and storied transportation career spanning over 26 years. His wide-ranging background includes hands-on delivery, local program and community support, completing complex projects under accelerated schedules, and statewide strategic program leadership.   

    More recently, Assistant Secretary Watts has been a driving force behind implementing the Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative and currently serves as the Program Executive Director for the Moving I-4 Forward program. Under his stewardship with Moving I-4 Forward, the program has brought positive community and industry impacts throughout construction as seen through the completion of the program’s congestion relief lanes that were completed eight months ahead of schedule and reduced travel times from 60 minutes to just 22 minutes. Guided by his focus on strengthening and leveraging the power of industry partnerships, Assistant Secretary Watts has also taken an innovative approach to improve contract delivery methods through the development of a brand-new, first-in-the-nation method called “Modified Phased Design-Build.”   

    In addition to his leadership with successfully delivering statewide infrastructure projects, Assistant Secretary Watts has also led FDOT’s strategic efforts for the development of the Department’s action plan for implementing Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) for the state of Florida. With his vision for a forward-thinking transportation system, Assistant Secretary Watts’ expertise in delivering complex projects will ensure this emerging mode of transportation takes flight in Florida.  

    His whole career, from more recent roles as Director of Operations in FDOT’s Northeast District to Chief Engineer for the entire agency, has been serving FDOT and working for the residents of Florida with a priority for a target of zero for safety, expanding workforce development, advancing technology, ensuring a robust supply chain, and implementing resiliency strategies for our local communities. Throughout his career, he commanded a Joint Special Operations Aviation Detachment, a fighter squadron, an operations group, and the largest F-15 fighter wing in the Air Force. He is a graduate and former instructor of the U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School.

  • Blain Newton is the Chief Information Officer at BETA Technologies, where he leads enterprise software, data systems, IT infrastructure, and internal product quality across the company. He focuses on building the digital backbone that supports BETA’s aircraft development, manufacturing, and global operations.

    Before joining BETA, Blain spent more than two decades in healthcare technology leadership, holding senior roles at companies including IDX Systems, GE Healthcare IT, Allscripts, and HIMSS Analytics, where he led large scale software, data, and digital transformation initiatives across complex enterprise organizations. 

AAM Defense Fireside Chat

  • Partner, SMG Consulting LLC

    Sergio Cecutta is a partner and co-founder at SMG Consulting, an Aerospace, Defense and Autotech consulting firm, where he leads the Advanced Air Mobility practice and he oversees strategy, product management, market analysis and business development for a diverse client portfolio of worldwide companies. He has been a part of the Advanced Air Mobility industry since its early days. He has spearheaded multiple research projects and helped clients understand the market and provide tailored products.

    As a senior executive at multiple Fortune 200 companies, he has been involved with the development and introduction of products like the Airbus A380, the SmartView Synthetic Vision System and the Gulfstream G500/600. He has also led the strategic due diligence of several M&A deals.

    He received an MBA from the W. P. Carey school of business and he holds a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Rome and the Technion Israel Institute of Technology. He is a mentor at several schools and organizations, promoting the development of the next generation of Aerospace and Automotive talent.

     

  • Maik Sohl is the Vice President Business Development & Partnerships at ERC System, a Munich-based developer of uncrewed heavy-lift cargo aircraft. ERC's Victor is a hybrid-electric VTOL cargo drone capable of carrying 550 lbs over 160 NM at around 135 kts, operating independently of ground infrastructure and built to close the capability gap between small drones and crewed helicopters – where contested logistics has no fielded system today. 

    Before joining ERC, Maik led market launch activities for German AAM pioneer Volocopter, setting up the company's operating joint venture in Saudi Arabia and executing the first commercial delivery of a VoloDrone cargo UAS. He started his career in management consulting and is an alumnus of WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management in Germany and Indiana University's Kelley School of Business. 

  • Donn serves as Vice President and General Manager of Electra Defense, a company dedicated to developing hybrid-electric propulsion for both the commercial and defense aviation sectors. He brings a rare combination of large-scale command experience, defense industry expertise, and operational transformation leadership to Electra's most consequential growth mission. Donn served for 25 years as an Air Force fighter pilot and Army infantryman, retiring at the rank of Colonel.

    Throughout his career, he commanded a Joint Special Operations Aviation Detachment, a fighter squadron, an operations group, and the largest F-15 fighter wing in the Air Force. He is a graduate and former instructor of the U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School.

    Following retirement from the Air Force, Donn served as Chief Operating Officer for the fifth-largest private jet charter company in the United States. He led a transformational growth strategy during a period of significant market uncertainty, building cross-functional team execution, increasing operational tempo, and driving measurable gains in revenue, efficiency, and profitability. Most recently, Donn led all Business Development and Strategy efforts for the Air Dominance Division at The Boeing Company

  • Vice President, Programs at REGENT

  • Blain Newton is the Chief Information Officer at BETA Technologies, where he leads enterprise software, data systems, IT infrastructure, and internal product quality across the company. He focuses on building the digital backbone that supports BETA’s aircraft development, manufacturing, and global operations.

    Before joining BETA, Blain spent more than two decades in healthcare technology leadership, holding senior roles at companies including IDX Systems, GE Healthcare IT, Allscripts, and HIMSS Analytics, where he led large scale software, data, and digital transformation initiatives across complex enterprise organizations. 

  • President & CEO Resonant Sciences

Growing Capabilities Panel

  • Dr. Andrew Shepherd serves as the Chief Research Officer at the Sinclair College National UAS Training and Certification Center in Dayton, Ohio. With 24 years of experience in the defense industry and academia focused on modeling and simulation, research, course development, accreditation, instruction, and mentorship, Shepherd offers expertise in many areas of technology, higher education, and workforce training and development.

    He has served as Managing Editor for the Journal of Unmanned Aerial Systems, President of the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) Wright Brothers Chapter, Chairperson of the National Science Foundation Center for UAS Industry Advisory Board, principal or co-principal investigator and senior personnel for multiple National Science Foundation, Federal Aviation Administration, and Department of Defense grants and contracts, and as First Vice President of the Aviation Trail Board of Trustees, a non-profit corporation in partnership with the National Park Service to promote Aviation Heritage in the Dayton region.

    Named by the Dayton Business Journal to Dayton’s Forty under 40 in 2014, the Who’s Who in Aerospace and Defense list seven times from 2014 through 2023, and a recipient of the Aerospace and Defense Award 2024, Shepherd is an active member of his community and broader aerospace industry.

  • Rob has been with AES Ohio since 2009. Rob currently serves as the Economic Development Director for AES Ohio, a transmission and distribution electric company in west central Ohio serving 539,000 customers. As the liaison between the customer and the utility, Rob works with stakeholders to identify the best opportunities and pathways for growth.

    An active member of the Dayton community, Rob serves on several local boards, including the Montgomery County Transportation Improvement District, Miami Valley Housing Opportunities, and two Dayton Chamber Committees.  He is a 2021 graduate of Leadership Dayton. 

    Rob and his wife Julie met at the University of Kentucky.  Rob also has an MBA from the Farmer School of Business at Miami (OH).  Rob and his wife Julie live in Centerville with their four children.  They are active parishioners at Incarnation Catholic Church.  In his spare time Rob enjoys playing and coaching volleyball, traveling, and watching college basketball. 

  • Vice President of Education 

    Dr. Philip Klein serves as Vice President of Education, providing leadership for academic, student, and alumni affairs across all PIA campuses. He oversees the systems and processes that ensure consistent, high-quality instruction, safety standards, and training environments. 

    Dr. Klein is responsible for academic quality, regulatory compliance, and student success outcomes, including retention, support services, and career placement. His work focuses on curriculum alignment, faculty development, and expanding partnerships and articulation pathways that enhance opportunities for students and graduates 

  • Justin Levy is the Founder and Managing Member of DefendAM LLC (Defending American Manufacturing), a Columbus, Ohio company focused on unmanned systems components for the Department of War (DoW). DefendAM's work spans engineering services, sUAS design and flight test, and DefendAM Supply, a software platform that builds mission-driven sUAS bills of materials with built-in compliance determination. 

     

    Justin is a PhD student in Industrial and Systems Engineering at The Ohio State University. He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering with Research Distinction from The Ohio State and is an FAA Part 107 certified remote pilot. 

  • Shannon Lewandowski is the Executive Director of the Center for Insurance and Risk Management at the University of Cincinnati. With more than two decades of experience in the insurance industry, she has held roles spanning claims, innovation, data analytics, talent development, and strategic initiatives.

    Prior to joining UC, Shannon led business data and analytics development programs at Great American Insurance Group and spent several years on American Modern's innovation and digital team, where she helped pilot IoT solutions designed to prevent and mitigate property losses. Her work has included collaborating with insurers, regulators, technology partners, and industry leaders to explore the intersection of risk, emerging technology, and customer experience.

    Shannon is passionate about developing the next generation of insurance and risk professionals and helping connect students with meaningful career opportunities in the industry. 

AAM Enterprise Solutions Workshop facilitators

  • Senior Advisor - Policy at Federal Aviation Administration

  • Chief Innovation Officer - Crown Innovations Inc.

  • Aerospace Executive Midwest ATC

Novelty to Normal Workshop facilitators

  • Civil Air Patrol Ohio Wing Commander


  • Chris began his career in aviation insurance in London in 1990 and joined Great American in 2025. He currently serves as Senior Vice President, where he leads the company’s focus on unmanned and emerging aviation risk. 

    A recognized authority in the field, Chris is the author of multiple white papers and has served as a panelist and presenter at numerous industry conferences and seminars. He is also a frequent contributor to industry publications, having written dozens of articles on unmanned and emerging aviation insurance, risk management, and safety. His experience and thought leadership have earned him wide respect across the global aviation insurance community. 

    Chris is a member of the National Business Aviation Association’s Emerging Technology Committee. 

    Great American Insurance Group is a Fortune 500 company founded in 1872. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Great American provides specialized insurance solutions for businesses through its 38 underwriting divisions.