Chuck Johnson
Board Advisor
Chuck Johnson is a former NASA Senior Expert, Program Manager, and FAA Air Traffic Controller, who brings over 40 years of aviation expertise in developing and fielding complex manned, unmanned, and autonomous systems.
Chuck’s body of work includes 11 years in the FAA as an Air Traffic Controller, Supervisor, and Manager, four years at MIT Lincoln Laboratory conducting applied human systems interface research, 15 years with NASA as the Partnership Manager to the Departments of Transportation and Homeland Security, Manager of NASA’s $300M UAS Integration in the NAS project, and Senior Advisor for unmanned and autonomous systems. Chuck has spent the last 11 years at Global Integrator of UAS (GIUAS, LLC) as President and CEO, responsible for leadership and management of all day-to-day activities. Chuck has been heavily involved in strategic planning for developing wildland fire technologies for the Lone Star UAS Test Site, and the Fire Tech Alliance.
Chuck has a BA in Psychology from University of Colorado and an MBA with an emphasis on Operations Research from San Diego State University.
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President and CEO – Global Integrator of Unmanned Aircraft Systems LLC (2014 – Present)
Leads all phases of day-to-day unmanned and autonomous systems activities. Principal Member of the Fire-Tech Alliance, and a Board Advisor for Level 5 Autonomy Labs, LLC. Past Advisory Board Member of the Energy Drone Coalition, and New Mexico State University Graduate School.
NASA DOT Partnership Manager, Program Manager, and Senior Advisor for Unmanned and Autonomous Systems (1999-2014)
Led strategic planning for future research in autonomy for Armstrong Flight Research Center. Led NASA strategic planning for future research in unmanned systems, particularly regarding the operational and regulatory challenges of routine access to global airspace. Led the project team in programmatic and budget formulation for this 5-year, $160M project to enable routine access for UAS to access the NAS. Facilitated interactions between senior executives from NASA and the Departments of Transportation and Homeland Security regarding research and technology requirements validation.
MIT Lincoln Laboratory Senior Staff (1995-1999)
Developed Operational Concepts for the Center Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) Automation System. (CTAS). Developed the Computer-Human Interface Requirements document for the Traffic Management Advisor.
FAA Liaison at NASA-Ames Research Center, Adsystech, Inc. (1993-1995)
Represented the FAA CTAS Program Office as the on-site liaison to NASA-Ames Research Center.
FAA Air Traffic Controller, Supervisor, and Manager (1982-1993)
Provided positive control and separation of aircraft at Brown Field, Ontario TRACON, and Los Angeles TRACON. Provided requirements development and management of 16 FAA programs sponsored by the Air Traffic Services Organization.
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Program Management: Highly skilled in leadership, communications, and team motivation for advanced technology development programs.
Strategic Planning: Highly skilled in development and execution of organizational long-term visions
Certification: Expertise in development of global certification standards and aligning technology products with those standards.
Airspace Management: Expertise in understanding airspace management challenges and implementing novel technologies to optimize solutions for advanced air mobility and wildland fire management.
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NASA Exceptional Service Medal: Awarded in 2010 for exceptional contributions to NASA’s programs and projects.
NASA Agency Award for Creative Leadership: Awarded in 2006 for exhibiting exemplary leadership of the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate Strategic Planning Division.
FAA’s Executive Directors Award: Awarded in 1991 for significant contributions in the development of funding requirements for the 35 FAA-sponsored programs totaling $650 million.