Kimberly Benson
Administrator
Bringing years of experience as an entrepreneur in international trade, Kim is focused on the intersection of aviation, advanced technology and economic development. She is recognized for her expertise in trade policy and government affairs. She serves as the Chair of the Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Small and Minority Business in Washington, DC, to which she was appointed by the US Commerce Secretary and the US Trade Representative. Kim serves as Chair of the Aerospace Advisory Board at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Anthony DeMolina
Lead Flight Instructor
Anthony DeMolina leads the UAS Center at SBD’s pilot training programs. With decades of Army service as well as over 30 years in law enforcement with the Los Angeles Police Department, Tony continues to serve LAPD as their Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Subject Matter Expert. His expertise extends also to counter-drone operations. He was the technical advisor for the development of a UAS regulatory ordinance for the City of Los Angeles. He holds multiple FAA ratings for piloting of both manned and unmanned aircraft.
Terry Parisher
Technical Advisor
Internationally renowned in the UAS industry, Terry has extensive UAS experience in both the private sector and the military. He developed and successfully commercialized groundbreaking UAS technology under Straight Up Imaging, a US-based commercial-use drone design and engineering firm which he founded and later sold. During his 22-year career in the Army and Air Force, he demonstrated extraordinary leadership in the realm of drone use and integration in the military. He served as a commander in multiple military aviation UAS units and continues to contribute to aerial robotics in the Department of Defense and public environments.
Dave Graham
UAS MRO Advisor
With over 30 years of aerospace maintenance experience, most recently in his role as Vice President of Unical, Dave is an accomplished aviation executive with a successful track record of leadership at MROs as well as airlines. Dave has extensive knowledge of FAA maintenance and repair regulations and protocols for conventional aircraft. He now brings this expertise to the UAS Center at SBD as we undertake significant innovation in the arena of UAS maintenance and repair operations.
Jason Ramos
Technical Advisor
Jason currently serves as a first responder with Washington State Search & Rescue. He is the lead drone pilot for Okanogan County, the largest county in Washington. Jason brings decades of experience to the UAS Center at SBD with his extensive background in fire, aviation, and search and rescue. Jason flies drones weekly and regularly consults with drone manufacturers and software providers. His breadth of knowledge spans the broad array of drone technology, including various RC/drone platforms, fixed wing micro to large scale, STOL, powered gliders, 3D, FPV and various types of multirotor drones. Prior to retiring from the US Forest Service, Jason served as a wildland firefighter for over three decades. He began his career at age seventeen in California with the Riverside County Fire Department. He then went on to become an aerial-delivered firefighter in 1993 with a helitack crew, and in 1999 became a smokejumper. As an aerial-delivered firefighter, Jason has fought fires in Alaska, Florida and nearly everywhere in between. Jason proudly serves as a volunteer member of the FAA Safety Team (FAAST). He is author of the book Smokejumper and is a featured speaker on TedTalks. Jason proudly serves as a volunteer member of the FAA Safety Team (FAAST).
Dave Krause
Technical Advisor
Dave is an accomplished software architect and the co-owner of Influential Drones, a partner to the UAS Center at SBD. Influential Drones is an industry member recognized by the FAA and a collaboration partner recognized by NIST. Dave is the responsible party for a BVLOS flight operation, is the chief pilot for a Part 137 certificate, and consults various public safety and commercial organizations around the world. Dave is heavily involved with industry working groups and rulemaking committees. His experience as a software architect spans the spectrum of mobilized robotics, includes drones and other uncrewed systems.