AUVSI names Brett Feddersen as president and CEO

AUVSI appointed Brett Feddersen as president and CEO effective Dec. 1, bringing a national security and counter-drone veteran into the top role. The move comes as the trade group pushes to move autonomy from policy pilots to scaled deployment across air, ground, maritime and robotics markets.

Why it matters: - AUVSI is putting a veteran with national security, aviation and counter-drone experience in charge as the organization pushes for broader commercial and government adoption of autonomy. - The leadership change comes as AUVSI tries to move autonomous systems from policy demonstration into routine, scaled operations across multiple domains. - The association’s agenda includes domestic and allied manufacturing capacity, dual-use applications and market growth for advanced air mobility, surface and undersea systems, robotics and physical AI.

What happened: - AUVSI announced Brett Feddersen as its next president and CEO, effective Dec. 1. - Feddersen is joining from D-Fend Solutions, a Motorola Solutions company, where he served as vice president of strategy and governmental affairs. - AUVSI said Feddersen is moving from the board of directors into the CEO role after years of involvement with the organization. - John “JC” Coffey, chairperson of the AUVSI board, said Feddersen brings experience across operations, federal policy, industry strategy and AUVSI leadership.

The details: - Feddersen led public policy and regulatory engagement at D-Fend Solutions, focusing on cyber-takeover counter-drone technology. - His background includes service as a Pennsylvania State Trooper, undercover and homicide detective, helicopter pilot, U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, combat advisor and intelligence officer. - Feddersen later served as a senior advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. - In federal government roles, he was director for transportation and border security at the White House. - In that White House role, he authored the national framework for mitigating drone threats. - Feddersen also served as executive director for national security programs at the Federal Aviation Administration, where he led crisis response, intelligence programs and aviation security efforts. - Michael Robbins previously led AUVSI and left in October to become head of the Semiconductor Industry Association. - Heather Lee, AUVSI’s chief operating officer, served as interim president and CEO during the search.

Between the lines: - AUVSI is signaling that its next phase is less about advocacy alone and more about operational scale, certification and secure supply chains. - Feddersen’s mix of defense, regulatory and commercial experience fits an industry that needs alignment between end users, government and manufacturers. - The appointment also suggests AUVSI wants a leader who can speak credibly to military, civil aviation and commercial stakeholders at the same time.

What's next: - Feddersen will begin work immediately with AUVSI members, committees and board leadership when he starts Dec. 1. - AUVSI plans to continue expanding its dual-use initiatives and efforts tied to domestic production and allied manufacturing. - The association will keep pressing for commercial viability in advanced air mobility, surface and undersea platforms, robotics and physical AI.

The bottom line: - AUVSI is betting that a leader with frontline, policy and industry experience can help turn autonomy from a promise into a scaled operating reality.