People Category: AIAA AVIATION Forum 2023

Sean Black is senior vice president and chief engineer, Engineering and Research & Development for Spirit AeroSystems. In this role, he has oversight of Spirit’s global engineering and research and development teams.

Black joined Spirit AeroSystems in 2016. During his tenure at Spirit, he has held leadership roles as Vice President of Commercial Engineering across all Boeing, Airbus and Rolls Royce programs, and as Vice President of Research and Development. In addition, he has held company level Delegated Design approvals cascaded from OEM customers.

Black has over 25 years’ experience in the defense/aerospace industry. He started his career in the UK as a Research Engineer at BAE SYSTEMS Advanced Technology Centre and then as Engineering Manager for BAE SYSTEMS Aerostructures business unit. Black transferred to Airbus with the launch of the A350XWB program where he held a variety of leadership roles both in Europe and the United States spanning the full development lifecycle from “clean sheet” design to industrial ramp up. In his last assignment in Airbus as Senior Director – Head of A350XWB US Program Management, he worked closely with a number of Tier 1 Aerostructure, Cabin and System suppliers across North America to secure critical development milestones. Prior to his industrial career he held a Lectureship in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Dundee (Scotland).

Black earned a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Dundee Institute of Technology (Scotland). Thereafter, he undertook research study, sponsored by DeBeers Industrial Diamond Division, in the field of Superabrasives. This led to an award of a Doctor of Philosophy from Liverpool John Moores University, England. Black has also published a number of research papers in technical journals and conferences including the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. He received a national Tribology Medal and the AM Strickland Award for his research work.

Black is a Charted Engineer (CEng), a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (FIMechE), and a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society (FRAeS).

Kolin Schunck is a business and law graduate with experience in innovation, aerospace and strategy consulting. He currently works as a Senior Manager for Strategic Innovation & Intelligence at Lufthansa Innovation Hub, where he is responsible for the area of sustainable aviation. This includes sustainable aviation fuels, electric and hydrogen aviation, and advanced air mobility. Kolin is passionate about the disruptive forces shaking up the aerospace and aviation industry and is dedicated to contributing to a more sustainable aviation industry by connecting with the ecosystem, providing knowledge, and sharing insights with both external and internal Lufthansa Group stakeholders. He is a true aviation enthusiast and brings his passion to his work in a positive and impactful way.

Over his 33-year NASA career, Brent Cobleigh has worked a wide variety of flight research projects supporting NASA’s aeronautics, science, and exploration goals.  Brent is currently the Project Manager for NASA’s Sustainable Flight Demonstrator (SFD) project.  In partnership with Boeing, this project will design, build, and fly a full-scale Transonic Truss Braced Wing (TTBW) configuration that could reduce fuel burn and the resulting carbon emissions by up to 30% in support of the U.S. Aviation Climate Action Plan.

Just prior to SFD formulation, Brent served as the Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC) Deputy Director for Programs and Projects helping to lead an organization of over 30 project managers.

From 2004 to 2020, Brent was Project Manager for several major projects including the Ikhana Unmanned Aircraft System that demonstrated 20-hour wildfire mapping missions over the Western United States while flying in class A airspace; the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) that flew hundreds of infrared astronomy missions using the world’s largest flying astronomical observatory; and the Flight Demonstrations and Capabilities Project, developing and managing a portfolio of subprojects including X-57, SCHAMROQ, Adaptive Compliant Trailing Edge, Landing Gear Noise Reduction, and X-56, as well as important flight test support capabilities.  From 2008-2010, he also led the AFRC Exploration Projects Branch, the highlight of which was the successful integration and first flight test of the Orion Launch Abort System.

From 1989-2003, Brent served in engineering roles on more than 10 research aircraft and spacecraft projects including the X-29, X-31, F-16XL Supersonic Laminar Flow, SR-71 Linear Aerospike, X-33, Autonomous Formation Flight, and X-37. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and a master’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the George Washington University.  Brent is a member of the AIAA Flight Test Technical Committee.

Dr. Todd Citron is the Chief Technology Officer, responsible for developing and executing Boeing’s technology strategy. This includes Boeing Research & Technology (BR&T), subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences, and AvionX, organizations that are helping create the future by developing and transitioning critical technologies, delivering ground-breaking products, and providing daily program execution support across Boeing. It also includes the engineering oversight and support to the joint ventures at Wisk and SkyGrid. These global teams work in five U.S. and seven international research centers.

Prior to his current role, Citron was vice president of engineering for Boeing Defense, Space & Security, where he was responsible for ensuring world-class technical integrity for all Defense, Space & Security products and services. He led a 20,000-person international engineering organization that included teams across each division of the business.

Citron was previously vice president and chief engineer for Defense, Space & Security Development. There he managed engineering support for key focus programs in the business’s portfolio, improving execution through early deployment of critical resources and proven processes from across the company. His responsibilities also included creating and implementing a strategy to enhance engineering quality and affordability.

Previously, Citron was vice president of Mission Assurance and the senior chief engineer of Systems Engineering for Defense, Space & Security Engineering. In this role, he was responsible for the broad application of systems engineering and risk-reduction principles focused on issue prevention, risk reduction and mission success. He was also responsible for development and deployment of mission success strategy, policy and practices and served as independent approval authority for mission readiness of Defense, Space & Security businesses and programs. As senior chief engineer for Systems Engineering, he focused on technical risks, issues and opportunities, strengthening technical decisions that achieve the “right engineering” the first time.

Earlier in his career, Citron served in a number of business, program management and engineering leadership roles, which included developing advanced space systems such as a small satellite product line (702SP) that has won awards from both Aviation Week and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. He also created innovative architectures for satellite-based IP data systems and designed the company’s first digital payload, later serving as program manager. The technical and financial success of this program led to a multibillion dollar business that is a major part of the Boeing satellite portfolio.

Citron has published numerous technical papers and has three patents in the areas of error correction, signal processing and adaptive antennas. He was also chosen to participate in the National Academy of Engineering’s Frontiers of Engineering.

Citron received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering with distinction from Purdue University and a master’s degree and doctorate in electrical engineering from Stanford University.

David Alexander has been with SAE International and its affiliates for 18 years and is currently based in Detroit, Michigan, USA, having previously been based in London until 2022. In February 2022, he assumed the role of Senior Director of Standards. In this role, Alexander is responsible for the coordination and collaboration of SAE’s standards programs and constituents across diverse mobility sectors including aerospace, automotive and commercial vehicle. He is also responsible globally for the strategy and operations of the SAE Aerospace and Systems Management Standards programs comprising over 7,800 consensus standards maintained by more than 180 technical committees. This includes the staff leadership for the SAE Executive Standards Committee and SAE Aerospace Council and includes leadership in the stakeholder integration of standards through the SAE Group portfolio.

Supported by SAE staff in London, Paris, Shanghai and across the US, program activities include relationships with industry, associations, regulatory authorities and government stakeholders around the world and strategy for standardization in areas as diverse as artificial intelligence, predictive maintenance, hydrogen & sustainable fuels, electrification, additive manufacturing, human factors and quality.

Prior to joining the SAE Aerospace Standards operation, David worked on the Nadcap accreditation programme through SAE’s affiliate organisation PRI, and he holds a BA (Hons) degree from the University of Manchester.

Experience
Deputy Director, Policy and Innovation, FAA (SES) (April 2022-present)
The Policy and Innovation division is responsible for the regulations, guidance and standards for the certification of aircraft.  As Deputy Director, I am responsible for the aviation safety senior experts program, consisting of over a dozen executives in core technical disciplines and the aircraft certification research program. I am also responsible for the oversight of the use of voluntary consensus standards and the project-specific guidance for new entrant aircraft and technologies.

Director, Office of Safety Standards, FAA (SES) (March 2020-April 2022)
The office of Safety Standards is responsible for the regulations, guidance and standards for all aircraft maintenance and alteration, operations, airmen and operators, as well as the international coordination and agreements in these areas.  In addition, the office is responsible for the operational suitability of aircraft, determined in conjunction with aircraft design approvals. The office has approximately 1000 employees.

Director, Office of Foundational Business, FAA (SES) (August 2017-March 2020)
The office of Foundational Business is responsible for the people, tools and procedures, and budget management for the Flight Standards Service to be successful.  The people components include position management for the Service, effective hiring and selection, training and development.  The Office is responsible for safety management and quality management across the Service, and for the Aircraft and Airmen Registry which handles all aircraft and airmen records.

Manager, Flight Technologies and Procedures Division, FAA (SES) (November 2012-August 2017)
The Flight Technologies and Procedures division is responsible for the regulations, guidance and standards relating to the operation of flight deck technologies, the policies governing the development and publication of instrument flight procedures, and the conduct of research in safety analysis and aircraft technologies.

Manager, Avionics Systems Branch, FAA (August 2008-October 2012)

• Lead 36 professionals in implementing safety enhancements through avionics and NextGen
• NextGen lead for Aircraft Certification Service
• Co-lead of organization design concept for Aircraft Certification Service
• Aircraft certification representative on the Performance-Based Aviation Rulemaking Committee
• Aviation Safety representative on the NextGen Advisory Committee Subcommittee
• Co-Chair of US/EU working group on civil satellite navigation under US/EU space-based positioning, navigation and timing agreement
• Aviation Safety representative to the RTCA Program Management Committee

Section Lead, Avionics Systems Branch, FAA (April 2007-August 2008)

Navigation Team Lead, FAA (May 1999-April 2007)

• US-nominated member, ICAO Navigation Systems Panel
• Co-chair, Satellite Operational Implementation Team
• Designated federal official, RTCA Global Positioning Systems Committee
• Designated federal official, RTCA Required Navigation Performance Committee
• Aircraft certification representative to ICAO performance-based navigation study group
• Civil co-chair of GPS Engineering Forum (inter-agency group under the Spaced-Based Positioning, Navigation and Timing Executive Committee)
• Member, Free-Flight Select Steering Committee

Education
BSEE, University of Virginia, 1992

Lt Col Joshua A. Burger serves as Program Manager for the VC-25B Air Vehicle and Vector Initiative Director, VC-25B Division, Presidential & Executive Airlift Directorate, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. He leads the Flight Systems, Avionics, and Interiors Integrated Product Teams, executing the ACAT 1D program to design, modify, test, field and sustain two Presidential mission-ready aircraft to serve as the next “Air Force One” providing worldwide airlift support to the President of the United States.  Additionally, he leads the Vector Initiative, driving innovation and building the defense industrial base in the area of high speed transport.

Prior to this assignment, Lt Col Burger served as the Executive Officer to the Military Deputy to the Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, The Pentagon, Washington DC.  In this position, he was the primary advisor to the Air Force’s senior military acquisition official and provided timely and accurate advice through engagements with staff personnel from Headquarters Air Force, Department of the Navy, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Congress, industry, and the media concerning matters related to 450 Air Force Acquisition programs valued at 460 billion dollars.

Lt Col Burger received his commission through the U.S. Air Force Officer Training School in 2005.  He has served as an acquisition officer and developmental engineer across a variety of acquisition, systems engineering, and staff positions.

Updated bio coming soon.

Dr. Loyd Hook is associate professor of computer engineering at the University of Tulsa and the owner of “IO-Aero” an aviation autonomy software company. Loyd has worked for the past 17 years striving to achieve a vision for safer, more available, and more capable aircraft through increased autonomy. His current work focuses primarily on safety and emergency management systems and run-time assurance architectures. Loyd believes these systems hold the key to greater autonomy in aviation and subsequently will lead to a revolution in air transportation as the skies are opened up to the masses.  Loyd has M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Oklahoma in 2006 and 2011 respectively.

Dr. Anna Oldani is an Aviation Energy Program Manager at the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Environment and Energy, where she leads numerous Sustainable Aviation programs, both with academia through the Aviation Sustainability Center (ASCENT) Center of Excellence and with industry under the Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) Program. Her work focuses on Sustainable Aviation Fuel development and deployment, along with alternative aviation energy technologies, to make near-term progress while ensuring long-term aviation sustainability. She supports interagency coordination with USDA and DOE through the SAF Grand Challenge. Alongside her colleagues, she is advancing the new Fueling Aviation’s Sustainable Transition through Sustainable Aviation Fuels (FAST-SAF) and Low Emission Aviation Technologies (FAST-Tech) Grant Program. Dr. Oldani serves as co-rapporteur of the ICAO Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection – Fuels Task Group.

She is passionate about working across government, academia and industry to achieve significant environmental goals for aviation.

Dr. Oldani received her PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois where she focused on fuel characterization and alternative jet fuel integration.