• November 2020
    AURA launched America’s first (and only) coast-to-coast wireless network designed and purpose-built for the crewed and uncrewed aviation industry.

  • January 2021
    FCC approved the AURA network to utilize the 450 MHz spectrum, which is ideal for the system’s ground-to-air aviation-grade communications.

  • June 2021
    FAA selected AURA for its fast-track rulemaking committee tasked with empowering BVLOS autonomous flight as well as how to operate drones and other uncrewed aircraft.

  • June 2021
    FAA chose AURA to lead its BVLOS rulemaking committee’s third-party services working group.

  • July 2021
    AURA secured an additional $30.9 Million in Series A funding.

  • July 2021
    NASA selected AURA as a national campaign partner to integrate air taxis, cargo-delivery aircraft and revolutionary, new air-vehicle concepts into the U.S. airspace.

  • September 2021
    RTCA approved AURA request to create performance standards for C2 avionics links utilizing the company’s FCC-approved aviation spectrum.

  • December 2021
    FAA and AURA entered four-year cooperative agreement to research performance standards for ATC voice communications supporting UAS within the national airspace.

Our Mission

AURA will deliver an FAA-compliant nationwide network utilizing licensed aviation spectrum to accelerate advanced levels of autonomy in the controlled national airspace.

Leadership Team

  • Bill Tolpegin

    Chief Executive Officer

    Bill drives forward AURA’s mission to transform the UAS industry with its aviation-approved spectrum. With more than three decades of experience with communications and technology companies, he has a unique understanding of how AURA will enable a new commercial network that provides voice, data, and navigation capabilities for safe operation within the national airspace.

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  • Tamara Casey

    President, AURA Network Ventures

    After cofounding AURA and serving as its President for more than three years, Tamara serves in the same capacity for the company’s subsidiary, AURA Network Ventures, where she leads efforts to identify, develop, and implement strategic opportunities that advance AURA’s mission. During her more than 35 years of experience in telecommunications and technology, she has been intricately involved in the development of standards designed to safely integrate UAS into the NAS.

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  • Brian Regan

    Chief Legal & Regulatory Officer

    In addition to leading AURA’s legal and compliance efforts, where he develops and executes the company’s regulatory strategies, Brian is also responsible for business development and customer solutions. He has held several senior tech and telecom positions, spanning public and private sectors – from leading spectrum policy development for the U.S. government to helping lead a telecom startup from early stage through public listing.

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  • Mike Gagne

    Chief Network Officer

    Mike leads AURA’s nationwide network buildout. Over his 25-year career, he has deployed thousands of site locations across every state in the nation. A pilot-trained aviation enthusiast, Mike and his engineering team are spearheading the company’s flight-testing program to support safe and reliable communications between pilots and aircraft.

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  • Ginger McClendon

    Senior Vice President,
    Software & Infrastructure

    Ginger is responsible for product development, spectrum management, core network and IP services, as well as systems and quality engineering. A seasoned strategist in wireless networking and ecosystem development, she leads AURA’s people, process, technology framework to deliver business outcomes focusing on quality, reliability, and time-to-market.

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  • Daisy Tong

    Senior Vice President,
    Marketing & Communications

    Responsible for AURA’s marketing and communications, Daisy leads strategy development and implementation of the company’s branding and marketing initiatives. She has more than 30 years of international experience designing products and providing consulting services for large enterprises. She also cofounded three technology startups and a design agency.

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  • Heather Samartino

    Vice President, Finance

    With more than a decade of financial operations experience in the telecommunications industry, Heather Samartino serves as Vice President of Finance for AURA. In addition to her financial reporting, accounting and audit management responsibilities, she provides support for operational and financial strategy, budget and financial planning, systems of internal controls, revenue assurance, and procurement services.

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Board of Directors

  • Michael K. Palmer

    Managing Director, Cerberus Capital Management

  • Timothy Donahue

    Previously CEO, Nextel

  • Dr. Shaygan Kheradpir

    Previously of CTIO, Verizon; COO, Barclays; CEO, Juniper; and CEO, Coriant

  • Shankar Murugavell

    Senior Analyst, Mudrick Capital Management, L.P.

  • Peggy (Margaret) Gilligan

    Previously Associate Administrator and Chief of Staff, FAA

  • Dr. Bruce J. Holmes

    Previously Chief Strategist, NASA

  • Drew McKnight

    Co-Chief Executive Officer & Managing Partner, Credit Funds, Fortress Investment Group

  • Bill Tolpegin

    Chief Executive Officer, AURA

  • Tamara Casey

    President, AURA Network Ventures

 A Career with AURA

Join a groundbreaking team laying the foundation for the fast-growing UAS industry. We solve complex aviation, telecommunications and software challenges. With a communications network delivering services that meet the FAA’s stringent performance requirements, AURA is enabling all the wondrous possibilities that the future of aviation has in store for us. Let’s do it together.