People Category: AIAA AVIATION Forum 2023

Lisa Peterson

A recognized leader in the telecom and transportation industries, Lisa Peterson is VP of Business Development focused on providing FAA-compliant command and control data and voice solutions to both commercial and public sector entities. While focusing on airspace traffic management technologies enabling safe UAS operations, she’s held positions at GE Aviation’s AiRXOS, involved with early FAA and NASA R&D programs; and Airspace Link, a LAANC and UAS data services provider. An active member of WTS (focused on women in transportation), Women and Drones, and AUVSI, Peterson holds a BS in Finance from the University of Maryland, where she also earned her MBA from the UMD Robert H. Smith School of Business.  

CAPT Loren Jacobi

A native of Springfield, Virginia, Captain Loren “Wookie” Jacobi graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2001, earning a Bachelor of Science in Naval Architecture. CAPT Jacobi began his operational flying in July 2003 with the “Dragonwhales” of HC-8, deploying onboard USS SEATTLE (AOE 3), USS NASSAU (LHA 4) and USS KEARSARGE (LHD 3). He participated in IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM and supported humanitarian assistance operations in Haiti.

Following his tour with HC-8, CAPT Jacobi reported to the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center in Fallon, Nevada where he qualified as a Seahawk Weapons and Tactics Instructor, Mountain Flying Instructor and Joint Terminal Attack Controller.

In 2008, CAPT Jacobi joined the “Wildcards” of HSC-23 in San Diego, CA where he served as the squadron Training Officer, managed the squadron’s transition to the MH-60S Armed Helicopter system and trained Naval Air Ambulance Detachments for combat deployments in Kuwait and Iraq.

At the completion of his Training Officer tour in 2010, CAPT Jacobi reported to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA where he completed a master’s degree in Systems Engineering, specializing in unmanned combat systems. For his thesis on combat modeling of emerging unmanned systems technology, he was awarded the prestigious Wayne E Meyer Awards for Excellence in Systems Engineering.

In 2012, CAPT Jacobi reported to the “Golden Falcons” of HSC-12. While stationed in Atsugi, Japan,
CAPT Jacobi conducted four patrols in Southeast Asia onboard USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN
73), including Operation DAMAYAN disaster relief in the Philippines.
Following his Department Head tour, CAPT Jacobi served as the Helicopter Sea Assignments officer at
Navy Personnel Command in Millington, Tennessee. At the completion of this tour, CAPT Jacobi was
selected for Secretary of the Navy Tours With Industry where he served as Technical Operations Engineer
for Flight Test on Amazon’s Prime Air drone delivery team in Seattle Washington
CAPT Jacobi completed his first command tour leading the “Wildcards” of HSC-23 from March 2018
through June 2020. During his tenure HSC-23 operated both the MH-60S and MQ-8B while leading DOD
unmanned-unmanned integration efforts and earned the Battle “E” and Safety “S.” Following his command
tour, CAPT Jacobi reported to Commander, Naval Air Force as N81, Future Manpower Requirements.
CAPT Jacobi completed his second command tour at the Fleet Replacement Squadron leading the
“Merlins” of HSC-3 where the squadron met all FY22 CNATRA production goals while exceeding targets
for aircraft readiness. During this tour he qualified as FRS instructor in both the MH-60S and MQ-8C.
Following HSC-3, CAPT Jacobi reported to Commander Naval Air Force as Requirements Officer.
CAPT Jacobi has accumulated over 2,500 flight hours; his awards include the Meritorious Service Medal
(3), individual action Air Medal (1) and various service awards.

Edward Gerding

Ed Gerding is vice president and chief engineer for Government Services Engineering within Boeing Global Services (BGS). The diverse organization includes engineering support for all defense maintenance, modifications, upgrades, retrofit and support equipment across U.S. and international Air Force, Navy, Army and Space programs. In addition, Gerding has responsibility for the engineering teams within Boeing Defence United Kingdom and Boeing Defence Australia. In this role, Gerding has assigned or matrixed responsibility for all engineering disciplines, leading a team of over 4,000 engineers. He is responsible for engineering execution on these programs, including safety, engineering performance and affordability, design practices, advancing model-based engineering and driving engineering first-time quality.

Previously, Gerding was vice president and senior chief engineer for Boeing Defense, Space and Security (BDS) Engineering Structures and Mechanical Systems, responsible for the technical integrity and success of BDS development and production programs. Additionally, he served as the BDS Structures and Build engineering capability leader with oversight of all BDS structures and production engineers.

Gerding began his career with McDonnell Douglas in 1984 as an associate structural design engineer on the AV-8B Harrier II program. He has worked a variety of other programs, including the C-17, F-15, F/A-18, A-10, and 787, as well as assignments on proprietary programs. His tenure includes a long-term expatriate onsite assignment at Israel Aircraft Industries in support of F-15 coproduction, and a relocation to Boeing South Carolina to focus on 787 affordability in a program management role. Gerding is experienced across all of Boeing’s business units, as well as the full product lifecycle of early development, development, production and sustainment.

Gerding has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla, a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis and a master’s degree in Business Administration from Maryville University. In 2011, he was inducted into the Academy of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineers for the Missouri University of Science & Technology (AMAE); he is a past AMAE president and currently serves on the board of directors. In addition, Gerding is the Boeing executive focal for Tennessee State University. He is a registered professional engineer in the state of Missouri, and a Fellow in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Jim Andersen

Jim Andersen is the GM and Head of Business Development at LanzaJet. He is responsible for global business development activities for the LanzaJet ATJ process for converting ethyl alcohol to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Jim has over 35 years of experience in the refining and petrochemical industry including ten years as the business director for renewable energy and chemicals at Honeywell UOP where he led the commercialization of HEFA type SAF. Jim holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from IIT in Chicago.

 

Ludovic Ybanez

After his electrical engineering degree in 2002, Ludovic Ybanez joined Safran, where he held several positions in the Design Office on turboshaft and on avionic systems. He was then appointed head of EWIS R&T department before being seconded to IRT Saint Exupery, a French research institute, as head of electrical power technologies for future electrical Aircraft. In 2019, he joined Airbus’ central research & technology in Germany before joining, in 2020, Airbus UpNext as head of ASCEND demonstrator focused on the potential and feasibility of cryogenic and superconducting technologies for aircraft electric propulsion. In addition, he is Managing director of Airbus Exo Zero Emissions SAS.

John Deruchie

I am extremely proud to have been part of the aerospace industry for over 20 years. I am currently Chief, Projects – National Aircraft Certification for Transport Canada Civil Aviation. In this capacity I lead the project management team responsible for Canadian domestic type certification programs, post type certification modifications and foreign validation activities. Prior to this I was Chief, Regional Engineering – National Aircraft Certification, leading the team responsible for all domestic STC and repair programs as well as oversight of the delegates and delegated organizations engaged in these projects.

Prior to joining government, I worked at Viking Air as Director of Program Management, responsible for delivery management, missionizations, sales engineering, and ongoing Viking product development programs.

I started my career at Bombardier Aerospace, where my last position was Integrated Product Development Team Manager, responsible for Project Management, Configuration and Data Management, and Certification for the Global 7000/8000 new development program. Prior to that, I held the position of Manager – Airworthiness where I led the team responsible for certification, validation and continuing airworthiness for the Global Express and DHC-8 programs.

I have a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario.