Meet the Team Behind the Oregon UAS Accelerator

The Oregon UAS Accelerator is powered by a team of dedicated professionals, mentors, and technical advisors who bring extensive expertise in unmanned aerial systems (UAS), business development, and cutting-edge technology. Together, they ensure the success of startups and innovators participating in our programs.

OREGON UAS ACCELERATOR

Leadership Team

Our leadership team drives the vision and strategy of the Oregon UAS Accelerator, fostering innovation and collaboration across the UAS ecosystem.

Joseph Wyno

President & Executive Director
Oregon UAS Accelerator

LinkedIn

Chris Ponzillo

Chief Marketing Officer
Oregon UAS Accelerator

Andrew Wolotira

Operations Manager
Oregon UAS Accelerator

Dan Fuller

Technical Mentor in Residence
Oregon UAS Accelerator

Keith Udy

Business Advisor
Finance
Oregon UAS Accelerator

Ella Chrisman

Executive Assistant
Oregon UAS Accelerator

OREGON UAS ACCELERATOR

Business Mentors and Advisors

Our business mentors and advisors provide invaluable guidance on investor readiness, non-dilutive funding strategies, operational planning, and technology assessment. They are key to helping startups refine their business models and prepare for growth.

Learn More About Our Mentors

Nathan Lillegard

Senior Advisor
Business & Investor Readiness

Dr. Muhammad Mujeeb

Senior Advisor
Non-Dilutive Grant Writing

Mary Phillips, Ph.D

Senior Advisor
Non-Dilutive Grant Writing

Tom Mattoon

Senior Advisor
Operational Strategy / Technology Assessment / Revenue Modeling 

Marc Bellotti

Senior Advisor
Tech Due Diligence / IP /
Technology Assessment

Howard Skaist

Senior Advisor
Attorney at Law, Intellectual
Property

Brandon Kortokrax

Venture Coordinator
Oregon UAS Accelerator

Adrian Cook

Business Advisor
Visual Communications, Branding & Desgin

OREGON UAS ACCELERATOR

Partnering with the Pendleton UAS Range

We are proud to partner with the Pendleton UAS Test Range and their dedicated staff of experts and specialists. The Pendleton UAS test range provides 14,000 square miles of low-traffic airspace, purpose-built infrastructure, and a team that has supported over 65,000 UAS operations,

Our partnership with Pendleton gives you the freedom to test faster, safer, and more affordably than anywhere else in the United States.

Visit the Pendleton UAS Test Range

Steve Lawn

Interim Range Manager
Pendleton UAS Range

Eric Smidt

UAS Operations Specialist
Pendleton UAS Test Range

Cole Rixie

Business Development Manager
Pendleton UAS Test Range

OREGON UAS ACCELERATOR

Board of Directors

As a state and federally designated 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, the Oregon UAS Accelerator is governed by a Board of Directors who help drive our mission to empower startups and innovators to transform their groundbreaking ideas into market-ready solutions and to position Oregon, as a global hub for UAS innovation and integration.

Dave Hyem

Board Chair
Oregon UAS Accelerator

Don Hendrickson

Treasurer
Oregon UAS Accelerator

Hank Childs

Secretary
Oregon UAS Accelerator

Brady Gibbons

Director At-Large
Oregon UAS Accelerator

Kevin Martin

Director At-Large
Oregon UAS Accelerator

OREGON UAS ACCELERATOR

Why Our Team Matters

More About Our Program

The collective expertise of our team spans business development, technical innovation, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence. Whether you’re an innovator seeking mentorship or an investor exploring opportunities, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.