NUAIR (Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research) has named Michael J. Hertzendorf its new president and CEO.
Hertzendorf previously served as NUAIR’s interim CEO and, since 2018, as its chief of staff.
In his new role, Hertzendorf will continue to lead the advancement of New York’s 50-mile unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) corridor. Additionally, he will be responsible for managing the organization’s strategy development process and 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,” says Hertzendorf. “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 as battalion command, regiment command and division chief of staff. Hertzendorf holds 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.
Major General Marke F. “Hoot” Gibson (ret.) was named president and CEO of NUAIR in October 2017. Gibson, who was previously with the Federal Aviation Administration before joining NUAIR, reportedly left NUAIR in March of this year.
