James Felder is an Aerospace Engineer at the NASA Glenn Research Center.
He graduated from Arizona State University in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree (BSc) in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.
He worked at the Garrett Turbine Engine Company, now Honeywell, from 1984-1988 in the areas of Aircraft and Advanced Engine Concepts.
Jim has been at the NASA Glenn Research Center since 1988 working in the areas of Electrical Hybrid and Turboelectric Aircraft Propulsion System Research, Advanced Aeropropulsion Systems Concept Development & Analysis, Lunar Lander System Engineering, In-space Chemical and Nuclear Rocket Propulsion Systems Analysis and was one of the principle architects and lead developers of the industry standard NPSS systems analysis program.
Max Arzberger received his Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the Technical University of Munich in 2017.
Since then, he dedicates his expertise in mechatronics and thermodynamics to European and institute internal hybrid electric aviation research projects as a research engineer at the German Aerospace Center (DLR).
His current research focuses on the simulation and modeling of electric power train components as well as the combined performance of electric and turbo components.
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.
Wade Smith is an Applications Engineer Manager at ANSYS, Inc. in the High Frequency Electromagnetics Division where he specializes in Signal Integrity, Power Integrity, and EMI/EMC applications via tools such as HFSS, SIwave and Q3D. Prior to joining ANSYS, Wade worked with Sciperio, Inc. where he conducted multiple projects including antenna, FSS, and wireless sensor applications using 3D Printed fabrication techniques and electronic textiles. Prior to Sciperio, Wade worked at Harris Corporation where he was involved in projects such as wireless sensor applications, high-speed data-rate systems, 3D embedded RF Filter designs, antennas, and SIP/MCM applications used in the miniaturization of Software Defined Radio systems. Wade has received multiple awards throughout his career, with the most recent being the 2020 Ansys “Manager of the Year” and President’s Club Awards. Wade has an M.S.E.E. from the University of Central Florida.
Diana Siegel is the Chief Financial Officer for Electra.Aero, a developer of a hybrid-electric, ultra-short takeoff and landing aircraft able to take off and land independent of traditional airports within soccer field-sized spaces, such as barges or converted parking lots.
Prior to joining Electra, Diana led the commercial programs team at Aurora Flight Sciences where she developed Aurora’s advanced air mobility programs portfolio from its beginnings to a 150+ person team, which included the build and flight test of a full-scale eVTOL demonstrator for parent company, Boeing. Learnings from eVTOL technology convinced Diana of the need to find a more energy efficient and cost-effective way to move people than vertical lift aircraft could, to truly impact how many of us travel today. Electra’s blown-lift eSTOL provides that opportunity. She co-led Electra’s initial customer outreach, that to date has yielded a pre-order book of 1000+ aircraft.
Prior to joining the advanced air mobility industry, Diana was a management consultant with BCG, and worked in product development and systems engineering roles for Airbus Group’s MBDA, Lufthansa-Technik, and avionics developer, Avidyne.
She holds a Masters in Aero/Astro from MIT’s and a Bachelors in Electrical Engineering from the University of Queensland.
Justin McKennon is a Principal Scientist at Electro Magnetic Applications, Inc. (EMA). Justin is an internationally recognized expert in the test and simulation of electromagnetic effects across the aerospace, space, defense, and related industries. Justin holds a full authority FAA DER license in all HIRF, Lightning, and EMI/EMC disciplines and has performed testing, simulation, or otherwise supported dozens of military and commercial platforms. Prior to joining EMA, Justin most recently served as the Chief Engineer at Lightning Technologies, an NTS Company. At EMA, Justin has lead the establishment of EMA’s Space Environment and Radiation Effects (SERE) test facility, as well as serving as a Subject Matter Expert in a variety of areas such as EMP, Lightning, EMI/EMC, and related areas.
Sierra received her B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from San Diego State University. In her 12 years with Parker Chomerics, Sierra has had various technical sales responsibilities including managing customers, channel sales of multiple distributor fabricators, and manufacturers’ representatives. She primarily covers the aerospace and defense market but has solved complex issues for electromagnetic shielding, grounding, radar profile reduction, and thermal management across all market segments.
