Deseret UAS has opened its Utah headquarters, providing a space for unmanned aircraft system (UAS) flight simulations, UAS test ranges and collaborative meeting spaces.
Located at the Xperience Center in Tooele City, the facility offers miles of airspace for flying, as well as the amenities of an urbanized area. It is centrally located near Utah’s Wasatch Front and is 30 minutes away from an international airport.
Deseret UAS is a nonprofit corporation created jointly by Tooele and Box Elder counties in close partnership with Ogden City. To support the governor’s 25K Jobs Initiative for Utah’s 25 rural counties, Deseret UAS’ mission is to facilitate rural economic development through the advancement of UAS and to elevate Utah’s presence in the drone industry.
“The UAS industry is developing crucial technologies that can make the world in which we live better, safer and more efficient. Deseret UAS is at the forefront of making these technologies a reality,” says Shawn Milne, Tooele County commissioner and Deseret UAS board chair.
Deseret UAS has hired Tulinda Larsen to lead the organization as its executive director. She is the founder and CEO of Skylark Services, an economic consulting company that researches commercial manned aviation and UAS. She is also an economist and adjunct professor of global aviation economics at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Deseret UAS has also hired Marshall Wright as its government and industry relations director. He is formerly the head of business development at the Utah governor’s Office of Economic Development.
“We have assembled a team of national experts who will help us advance the UAS industry and take advantage of its innovations here in Utah,” adds Milne. “We look forward to leveraging their skill set and professional direction to facilitate strong economic development and prosperity here at home.”
