Upcoming Events:

January 10th Membership Meetup will welcome back one of our favorite guest speakers, Ed Gozdur, Product Director Soldier Uncrewed Aircraft Systems, PM UAS! Don't miss this chance to catch up on AUVSI Pathfinder activities, socialize with industry and government partners, enjoy a catered lunch, and learn from Ed about the latest successes and pursuits in Army Group 1 and Group 2 UAS!

Speaker Bio

Mr. Ed Gozdur is the Product Director for Soldier Uncrewed Aircraft Systems at the Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Project Management Office where he leads a technical and professional team developing, fielding, and sustaining the RQ-11C Raven UAS, RQ-20A Puma UAS, RQ-28A Short Range Recon UAS , Medium Range Reconnaissance, Long Range Reconnaissance, Short Range Reconnaissance, and Joint Tactical Autonomous Aerial Resupply System.  Previously, Mr. Gozdur served as the Centrally Selected Director of the Defenses Contract Management Agency (DCMA), Centrally Selected Product Manager for the Utility Helicopter 60M Black Hawk Helicopter, Centrally Selected Product Director For Common Systems Integration Directorate within the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Project Office, and the Deputy Product Manager for the Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (SUAV) product office. Mr. Gozdur has served his country in both the military, and as a government civilian employee, distinguishing himself as an Army Acquisition Corps leader over a 40 year career. He has served in key acquisition positions dating back to the very first Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) program over 25 years ago. Mr. Gozdur directed the Advanced Concepts Technology Demonstration Military Unit Assessment with the Outrider UAV program and later led the TUAV System Capability Demonstration (SCD)-selecting the best available system for the Brigade Commander’s UAV (today’s Shadow system). He established the Program of Record for the One System Remote Video Terminal, Universal Ground Control Station, and the Universal Ground Data Terminal, in addition to developing the Army’s Unmanned Systems Interoperability Profiles, critical for Manned Unmanned Teaming efforts. Mr. Edward Gozdur is a native of Worcester, MA. He received his Master’s Degree from Central Michigan University in 1984, graduated from the Army’s Command and General Staff College in 1991 and attended the Army’s Program Managers Course in 1994. He is a Level 3 Certified Acquisition Professional.

Did you miss Pathfinder 2023?

Pathfinder 2023 brought together 400 Attendees, 200 Students, and 40 Speakers from across industry, government, and academia.

THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING! 

The Board of Directors for the Pathfinder Chapter of the Association of Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) would like to thank you for your outstanding participation in the 2023 AUVSI Pathfinder Symposium, in Huntsville, AL on August 28-30th, 2023. This year's symposium had over 400 government and industry attendees, 200 students, and 40 speakers from the military, federal, state, and local governments, and organizations.  Our attendees and exhibitors included individuals, companies, and government officials from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.  We are so excited about all of the connections made, opportunities discussed, technologies showcased, and students inspired and FUNDED by this year's event.  As we move forward into planning and executing next year's event which will be held on August 26-28th, 2024 in Huntsville, AL, we would like to take this moment to also thank our wonderful, 100% volunteer board of directors and symposium committee members who made this event happen.  Special Thanks to Ben Noel, Dmitriy Plaks, and Ellis Smith for their commitment and dedication to our industry, community, and students!  We can't wait to see you all next year!  Lastly, I leave you with these words of inspiration from our board emititus, Mr. Jim Boyle, recognizing that all of our collected funds go back to the community supporting STEM and that they go back to STEM for a reason, "IT'S ALL ABOUT THE KIDS!" 

Pathfinder 2023 Attendees came from all over the United States, Canda, United Kingdom, and Autralia

WHERE ARE OUR STAKEHOLDERS LOCATED? 

The AUVSI Pathfinder Chapter in Huntsville Alabama conducted the 2023 Pathfinder Symposium on August 28-30, 2023.  The Pathfinder Symposium is the premier Defense and Federal Agency Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems event in the United States. The Conference was planned and hosted by the Pathfinder Chapter Board of Directors which is made up of an all-volunteer staff of industry and government leaders.  Honored speakers included COL Danielle Medaglia, PM Uncrewed Aircraft Systems, LTC(P) Nick Ryan, Army Capabilities Manager Uncrewed Aircraft Systems, and Mr. Jim Williams, Beyond Visual Line of Sight Aviation Rule Making Committee Industry Lead, LTC Michael Brabner, Manuever CDID Aviation Branch Chief, Mr. David Dopp, Future Battle Platforms Program Manager, and Mr. Dennis Teefy, Sensors Aerial Intelligence Program Manager.  Speaking sessions were held in front of an audience of over 400 industry leaders, government program managers, and university researchers.  Defense and Industry leaders shared their expertise and experience on a variety of topics applicable to the US Air Force, US Army, US Coast Guard, SOCOM, Federal Bureau of Investigation, NASA, and commercial industry.  AUVSI Pathfinder Chapter is the original and founding chapter of AUVSI and we look forward to your participation in future symposiums and technical interchange meetings.