AirMap, a leading provider of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) traffic management platforms, named Tom Wheeler, former chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), to their Board of Directors earlier this week. He joins AirMap’s Co-founder & Chairman Ben Marcus plus CEO David Hose, along with Lux Capital Partner Bilal Zuberi, and General Catalyst Partners Principal Katherine Boyle in helping guide AirMap on the path toward a new era in aviation where open, interconnected technology and regulatory systems make safe high-autonomy aircraft operations a part of everyday life.
Wheeler was appointed by President Barack Obama as the 31st FCC Chairman and served for four years, from 2013 to 2017. Prior to his FCC appointment, Wheeler had a long career in the cable and wireless industry which included positions as the President of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association and CEO of the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association. Wheeler has been inducted into both the Wireless Hall of Fame and the Cable Television Hall of Fame. He is the only person to be recognized by both organizations. This extensive experience makes him an ideal fit for integrating more aircraft into the National Airspace System.
“Wheeler’s experience in fostering economic growth and societal benefits through technology innovations, public-private partnerships, and open-market regulations will be a great resource for our industry at it develops and matures.” said AirMap Co-founder and Chairman Ben Marcus. “Reliable and secured wireless networks are critical enablers to scale UAS operations, as highlighted by AirMap’s recent release of network-based Remote ID and drone tracking solutions. Tom Wheeler’s expertise in these domains will benefit AirMap as it continues to expand its product offering.”
“I am honored to join the AirMap team,” Wheeler says. “The opening of the low-altitude airspace to high-scale flight operations offers so many new opportunities for both citizens and companies. How governments integrate these new airspace entrants with their public interest responsibility will be an important new chapter in the relationship between innovative technologies and public policy. Having spent my professional life at the intersection of new technology and policy, I am excited to be a part of this new challenge.”
Visit AirMap at www.airmap.com.