The FAA has named Marke Gibson and Earl Lawrence to two executive positions that will lead the agency’s integration of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into U.S. airspace.
Gibson has been named the senior advisor on UAS integration. This position was “established to focus on external outreach and education, inter-agency initiatives and an enterprise-level approach to FAA management of UAS integration efforts,” the agency said. Gibson will report to the FAA deputy administrator.
Gibson, a retired Air Force major general, previously served as executive director of the NextGen Institute that provides professional services to the UAS Joint Program Development Office. He also has owned an aviation consulting firm and has held many senior command and staff positions during his 33-year military career.
Lawrence previously served for almost five years as director of the FAA Small Airplane Directorate. In that position, he was responsible for 17 aircraft certification and manufacturing district offices in 21 states. Before coming to the agency in 2010, he had served as vice president for Industry and Regulatory Affairs at the Experimental Aircraft Association.
Gibson and Lawrence are expected to begin their new positions in September.
