Chairman and Executive Director - Ray Adams
Ray Adams brings over 30 years of aviation experience in air traffic management in the New York City metropolitan area in both the terminal and en-route environments. Working in some of the busiest, complex facilities in the world, he has a large base of knowledge and experience in air transport operations.
Through his work with the Federal Aviation Administration, Ray has become a subject matter expert in the development and deployment of a number of aviation modernization systems, ranging from data-link communications to enhanced GPS navigation systems and traffic flow management. He and his projects have received accolades from the highest levels of government and industry.
In addition, his over 15 years of legislative and policy experience at the federal and state level help ULTRA shape and propagate the organization's positions. He has represented the National Air Traffic Controllers Association in legislative and labor matters and serves as a Trustee of the New Jersey Society for Environmental and Economic Development.
Ray has lobbied for aviation and safety interests on Capitol Hill and has represented air traffic controllers in National Transportation Safety Board investigations.
Ray served honorably in the United States Navy in air traffic operations during the Desert Shield and Desert Storm campaigns.
He is the founding principal of Low Altitude Operational Solutions, a consulting firm providing services to the vertical operations space.
Vice Chairman – Ronald “Ron” Leach
Ron is the Principal of Leach Strategic Partners, LLC and a retired law enforcement professional where he served with the New Jersey State Police (NJSP) for 23 years.
Leach Strategic Partners provides Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS or drones) consulting services to public safety and security entities where the focus is on UAS technology and assists with project start-ups, policy development and response strategies including counter UAS issues. He also provides specialized training to UAS users. Ron has provided guidance to local law enforcement and fire departments in order to establish a working dialog to assist departments with UAS response and deployment.
Ron holds several Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Pilot Ratings including Private Pilot, Airline Transport Pilot, and Remote Pilot for UAS. Ron was the Chairman of the NJSP UAS Working Group which was tasked with developing a direction for the use of UAS technology as well as counter UAS technology.
He served as a member of the U.S. Department of Justice, Law Enforcement UAS Working Group, and Co-Chaired the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, Domestic Security Preparedness Task Force - UAS Subcommittee. He has been published in NJ Cops magazine, presented to the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, and contributed to the ANSI UASSC Standardization Roadmap for Unmanned Aircraft Systems.
Ron has a Bachelor of Science degree from Wilmington University (Delaware), and a Master of Administrative Science degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University (New Jersey).
Ron served honorably in the United States Navy.
Trustee and Counsel - Paul Rotella
Paul Rotella is an attorney and entrepreneur and represents ULTRA as a Trustee and counsel to the Board.
Paul is the CEO of the New Jersey Broadcasters Association.