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.
-
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.
READ FULL BIO -
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.
-
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.
-
Ginger McClendon
Senior Vice President,
Software & InfrastructureGinger 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.
-
Daisy Tong
Senior Vice President,
Marketing & CommunicationsResponsible 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.
READ FULL BIO -
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.
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.