Brett Kanda is Director of Drone as First Responder Sales at Flock Safety.  Flock Safety is a leading safety technology platform that helps communities thrive by taking a proactive approach to crime prevention and public security. Flock’s end-to-end suite of hardware and software connects cities, law enforcement agencies, businesses, schools, and neighborhoods into a nationwide public-private safety network. Today, Flock is trusted by over 5,000 communities, 4,500 law enforcement agencies, and 1,000 businesses to deliver real-time intelligence—while maintaining the highest standards of privacy, data integrity, and responsible innovation.

At Flock, Brett leads the DFR Specialist team, focusing on reducing emergency response times and improving community safety. Before Flock acquired Aerodome, Brett was the company’s first employee and served as Senior Vice President of Business Development, where he spearheaded go-to-market efforts for their NextGen DFR platform.

With more than a decade of experience in the unmanned aerial systems (UAS) industry, Brett has deep expertise in UAS technology, regulatory frameworks, and market strategy. His previous roles include key positions at BRINC, FLIR Systems, and the Nevada Institute for Autonomous Systems, where he helped grow drone businesses and expand their customer reach. He also co-founded two drone startups focused on delivering actionable insights through UAS technology.

Before entering the drone industry, Brett was a professional golfer and a collegiate standout at UNLV, where he was a two-time Academic All-American and team captain.

In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Brett shares insights on Flock Safety’s innovative Drone as First Responder program and how this cutting-edge technology is helping local law enforcement agencies enhance public safety and fight crime more effectively.

Craig Malloy is CEO of Arix Technologies, a Houston-based company specializing in robotic solutions for inspecting corrosion under insulation—or CUI—in industrial piping systems. While we often focus on aerial drones on this podcast, some environments call for a different approach. That’s where Arix’s flagship product, the VENUS robotic crawler, comes in. Designed to traverse both horizontal and vertical pipes, it collects high-resolution data without removing insulation or erecting scaffolding—dramatically reducing inspection time, cost, and risk.

The technology has earned the trust of industry giants like Shell, ExxonMobil, and Chevron, proving its value in the field.

Craig is a seasoned CEO with over 25 years of experience founding and scaling global tech companies, including ViaVideo, Lifesize, and Bloomfire. A pioneer in video conferencing, he led Lifesize’s transformation into a global SaaS platform with 4K video and contact center solutions. Known for his customer-first mindset and servant leadership, Craig brings a unique blend of innovation, integrity, and vision to the world of robotics and industrial inspection.

In this episode of the Drone Radio show, Craig talks about Arix’s systems, their robotic technology used to detect corrosion under insulation and how it benefits the energy industry. 

Michael Hill is Program Manager of College Workforce Programs at the Unmanned Safety Institute.  The Unmanned Safety Institute or USI is an approved training partner of ASTM International and the International Business Aviation Council. The Institute is dedicated to improving safety in unmanned aviation by applying time-honored aviation safety practices to unmanned aircraft systems. USI accomplishes this mission by developing workforce readiness programs, providing training to UAS crews, and helping flight service providers meet their safety goals.

Michael is a certified UAV pilot in three countries with over 6,000 flight hours and more than 7,800 successful, incident-free missions as a Remote Pilot-in-Command. He holds industry and safety certifications from FEMA, OSHA, NIST, and USI. He is a highly sought-after public speaker and industry influencer, passionate about sharing his expertise on UAV technology applications for land, air, and sea operations. He brings a wealth of experience to USI, including aerial mapping, telecom and wind turbine inspections, oil and gas and critical infrastructure assessments, search and rescue operations, as well as involvement with state and federal regulations. An active advocate for the drone industry, he has served as the Policy and Legislative Chairman for the North Central Texas Council of Governments UAS Taskforce and as the Training Officer for the North Texas Public Safety Unmanned Response Team.  Additionally, he holds the role of 2nd Lieutenant and the former Director of Unmanned Operations for the Texas Wing of the Civil Air Patrol.

In this addition of the Drone Radio Show, Michael talks about the Unmanned Safety Institute and how it helps prepare students for viable careers in the drone industry.

Mike Fraietta is Co-Founder of Gargoyle Systems, a leader in drone detection technology that delivers real-time aerial threat intelligence to security professionals, businesses, and homeowners. With advanced detection capabilities and seamless integration, Gargoyle Systems enables proactive protection against unauthorized drone activity. The company is currently building America’s first decentralized Drone Intelligence Network—designed to detect and track both “friendly” and hostile aerial activity, providing real-time awareness of unmanned aircraft in the skies.

With a background in innovation and systems thinking, Mike was early to recognize the urgent need for smarter, scalable solutions in aerial security as drones proliferate across commercial, consumer, and military sectors.

In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Mike talks about Gargoyle Systems, their decentralized Drone Intelligence Network, and how individual asset managers can protect against the growing threat of drone-enabled crime. He also shares insights from his recent visit to the Russia-Ukraine border, where he studied evolving “dark” drones, counter-drone technology, and operational training led by the Ukrainian Drone Command.

Stéphane Timpano is CEO of ASPIRE, the program management and business development arm of the Advanced Technology Research Council located in Abu Dhabi.

The ATRC’s mission is to build a vibrant research and development ecosystem that supports Abu Dhabi—and the broader UAE—in its transformation into a knowledge-based economy. With nearly 1,300 employees representing over 80 nationalities, the Council is also investing in the next generation of innovators through a wide range of STEM initiatives.

ASPIRE drives the Council’s programmatic efforts by crowdsourcing top global talent through international competitions and grand challenges. These challenges are designed to tackle real-world problems—everything from global hunger and maritime safety to the future of autonomous mobility—by bringing together experts from academia and industry to co-create cutting-edge solutions.

As CEO, Stéphane leads ASPIRE’s strategic direction and oversees relationships with key stakeholders and partners. He brings more than 20 years of management consulting experience, including major client engagement in the Telecom and Technology industries at Bain & Company in the entire EMEA region.

Before consulting, Stéphane worked in the media industry in Italy, gaining valuable experience at Sky Italia News Corporation and IMS (EMI Group).

He holds an MBA from SDA Bocconi in Milan, a degree in Political Sciences and a degree in Economics in France.

Recently, more than 2,500 people gathered to watch top autonomous drone racers compete for a $1 million prize pool at the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL) Drone Racein Abu Dhabi. And in case you were wondering, MavLab, from the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, secured victories in three out of four competitions. They clinched the AI Grand Challenge with their drone completing two laps of the 170-metre course in just 17 seconds. MavLab won the world’s first AI-only drag race, demonstrating straight-line speed and precision under intense acceleration. And in a landmark moment, MavLab’s autonomous drone defeated three top DCL champion pilots in a head-to-head AI-versus-human showdown. With precision flying, the AI-powered drone edged out its human-piloted rivals in thrilling contests. Equally impressive was TII Racing from the UAE, which triumphed in the multi-drone challenge, showcasing advanced coordination, collision avoidance, and team-based AI strategy. These same decision-making skills are vital in cargo delivery, emergency response, and next-gen aviation, where precision under pressure is non-negotiable.

In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Stéphane shares insights into ASPIRE’s mission, the rise of autonomous racing challenges, and the broader impact these competitions can have across technology, education, and industry.

Dawn Zoldi is CEO and Founder of P3 Tech Consulting and Publisher of Autonomy Global.  P3 Tech is an internationally recognized company that provides consulting, content, and education on emerging technologies, with a special focus on legal and regulatory issues in autonomous systems. The company is best known for its award-winning Dawn of Autonomy podcast (formerly Dawn of Drones) and its global media platform, Autonomy Global, which connects people passionate about advanced tech policy with the programs and insights they need to succeed.

Dawn is a licensed attorney and retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, with 28 years of military and federal service. She’s also a Part 107 certified drone pilot and an internationally recognized expert in uncrewed aircraft system law and policy. Her work has been featured on Fox News, CNN, Forbes, Newsweek, and PBS. Her Dawn of Autonomy podcast was named one of the “Top 7 Drone Podcasts of 2024” by The Drone Girl and “Best Drone Podcast of the Year 2023” by The Droning Company. She is also the author of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Legal and Business Considerations: A Modern Primer for U.S. Drone Programs.

In early 2025, Congress passed a continuing resolution to keep the U.S. government funded. But what does that mean for the drone industry? In this episode, Dawn breaks it down—especially for companies working in autonomy, robotics, drones, and AI technologies for defense. She also shares updates on her Law-Tech Connect Workshop and the latest from Autonomy Global.

Lori DeMatteis is Chief Revenue Officer of Matrix Space.  MatrixSpace is a leading technology company specializing in advanced radar systems that deliver real-time situational awareness for uncrewed and autonomous systems. Their compact, lightweight radars offer precise detection and tracking, making them ideal for drones, advanced air mobility (AAM), public safety, and critical infrastructure. By integrating cutting-edge radar with AI, MatrixSpace enables safe, efficient operations in complex and dynamic airspace.

Lori plays a key role at MatrixSpace, leading sales and go-to-market strategies across various industries and regions. She has a strong track record of driving revenue growth for emerging technologies—taking companies public or guiding them through mergers. Prior to MatrixSpace, she served as Global VP of Customer Success, Sales, and Marketing at Iris Automation, and held leadership positions at GE, Oracle, Emerson, Honeywell, and Lavin Holdings. Her expertise spans hardware, software, and networking.

As beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations expand, the demand for scalable, precise detect-and-avoid solutions grows. MatrixSpace's portable radar systems are designed to meet that need. The company recently announced partnerships with AAM provider Skyway and public safety leader Advexure to support airspace awareness and safety. Lori works closely with these and other UAS/AAM partners to help navigate the evolving landscape of airspace management.

In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Lori talks about MatrixSpace, their radar technology, and how organizations are integrating these tools into their airspace operations.

Kaitlyn Albertoli is CEO and co-founder of Buzz Solutions. Buzz Solutions leverages AI and drone technology to revolutionize how power utilities inspect and modernize their infrastructure. The company’s innovative software platform, featuring tools like PowerAI and PowerGUARD, uses advanced data analytics and machine learning to automate visual inspections, enhancing the safety, efficiency, and resilience of the electric grid. Their mission is to empower utilities to proactively monitor and manage their systems, reducing outages, preventing wildfires, and ensuring reliable energy delivery. Committed to driving innovation, Buzz Solutions equips teams with cutting-edge solutions to analyze data, collaborate seamlessly, and export actionable inspection results—all aimed at fostering smarter, more stable infrastructure for a sustainable future.

A Stanford University graduate with a background in sustainability and finance, Kaitlyn is widely regarded as a thought leader in the energy and technology sectors. She frequently speaks at industry events and conferences on topics spanning utilities, AI, and infrastructure resilience. Before co-founding Buzz Solutions with Vik Chaudhry to safeguard the world’s energy infrastructure, Kaitlyn worked as a wealth management analyst at JP Morgan Chase. In 2021, her leadership and vision earned her a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. Together, she and Vik are tackling critical challenges like grid-sparked wildfires, power outages, and storm damage with a bold, tech-driven approach."

In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Kaitlyn talks about Buzz Solutions, how AI and drones are transforming traditional utility inspections and the challenges of implementing and scaling these technologies.

Kevin Hernandez and Dutch Alessi are from Virtual Reality Rehab, or VRR. Founded in 2009, VRR is a pioneering research and development company with a bold mission: harnessing virtual and augmented reality technologies to push boundaries. With over 20 years of collective experience, their team specializes in creating innovative, multiplatform solutions for unmanned vehicle systems, advanced robotics, and next-level human-machine interfaces.

Now, VRR is making waves in drone warfare with a brilliantly simple idea called the HellHive. Picture this: a low-cost, portable shipping box that doesn’t just store and transport attack drones—it launches swarms of them, guided by their smart HoloWarrior software. This isn’t about building drones but supercharging them with tech like ‘BatMode’ for stealthy ambushes or scalable swarm assaults, all while keeping costs down. Imagine a cardboard box transforming how militaries deploy overwhelming force! With small Pentagon contracts already secured, VRR is now positioning it’s products for the commercial sector

Leading the charge is Kevin Hernandez, VRR’s Chief Operating Officer. Kevin directs R&D in electrical engineering, overseeing the integration and deployment of unmanned systems. He also spearheads product development, marketing, and sales for VRR’s HoloAccesories and Bee drones. Alongside him is Dutch Alessi, Chief Scientist, who collaborates with engineers and partners to unlock new swarm capabilities, driving innovation at every turn.

In this episode, Kevin and Dutch talk about VRR’s journey, the revolutionary HellHive and HoloWarrior systems, and how they’re bridging military prowess with commercial potential. 

Kraettli Epperso6 is CEO of Vigilant Aerospace Systems, a leading developer of multi-sensor detect-and-avoid and airspace management software for uncrewed aircraft systems, enabling safe and scalable beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations. Their flagship product, FlightHorizon™, is built on two NASA patents and integrates data from multiple sources to provide real-time air traffic awareness and automatic avoidance maneuvers, preventing collisions and ensuring seamless UAS integration into national airspace.

In 2023, Vigilant Aerospace was awarded a contract by the U.S. Air Force to develop a detect-and-avoid system for their long-endurance UAS, reinforcing their position as a key player in aerospace innovation. The company was also recognized as the Aerospace Innovator of the Year by 405 Business Magazine, highlighting its contributions to advancing safety and efficiency in autonomous systems. In addition to FlightHorizon™, Vigilant Aerospace provides integration and consulting services, working with partners like DronePort Network to support regional airspace management and economic development initiatives.

Kraettli brings extensive expertise in uncrewed aircraft technology and airspace management. As CEO of Vigilant Aerospace, he oversees the company's contracts with NASA, the FAA, and the U.S. Air Force, and has participated in over 45 uncrewed aircraft flight tests. A recognized industry leader, he serves on the FAA’s BVLOS Aviation Rulemaking Committee, is a member of the ASTM F38 Committee on UAS technical standards, and has co-authored multiple AIAA papers on autonomy and collision avoidance systems. He is also the co-inventor of four technology patents, shaping the future of autonomous aviation.

In this episode of the drone radio show, Kraettli talks about Vigilant Aerospace, it’s detect-and-avoid system and how organizations are using drones to advance economic development.