Trade Veteran and NUAIR Co-Architect Tapped to Lead Group Into Subsequent Part of Development
NUAIR (Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Analysis), operator of the nation’s most superior FAA-accepted surveillance-as-a-service infrastructure for low-altitude airspace, at the moment introduced that Craig Marcinkowski has been named the group’s subsequent President and Chief Government Officer, efficient April 1, 2026.
Marcinkowski succeeds Ken Stewart, who has led NUAIR since 2020 and can stay by March 31, 2026, to make sure a seamless transition. Stewart will proceed in an advisory capability by the transition interval.
A Chief with Deep Roots in NUAIR’s Mission
Marcinkowski’s connection to NUAIR predates the group itself. In 2017, whereas serving as a pacesetter at Griffin Applied sciences (now SRC Inc.), he collaborated with Stewart to determine the primary Past Visible Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone hall in the US, in Ohio — the operational proof-of-concept that laid the groundwork for NUAIR’s New York hall. Marcinkowski additionally performed a key position in creating the unique Empire State Improvement (ESD) grant proposal that supplied NUAIR’s founding funding.
“Craig is somebody I’ve labored alongside for the reason that very starting of this business,” mentioned Stewart. “He didn’t simply watch NUAIR get constructed — he helped construct it. He brings precisely the mixture of technical depth, business expertise, and mission alignment that this group wants for its subsequent chapter. I’ve little doubt that is the correct name.”
Background and {Qualifications}
Marcinkowski brings greater than 25 years of expertise in surveillance programs, unmanned plane, protection know-how, and enterprise growth. His profession spans:
- SRC Inc. — Radar, EW, and surveillance programs for protection and public security
- Lockheed Martin — superior programs and protection program management
- Saab, Inc. — sensor integration and business know-how options
- Fotokite — drone programs for first responders and public security operations
His expertise encompasses each the technical and business dimensions of UAS operations, with explicit depth in surveillance infrastructure, legislation enforcement drone-as-first-responder (DFR) purposes, and defense-adjacent programs — areas that straight align with NUAIR’s present service portfolio and strategic path.
“I’ve been following NUAIR’s progress with pleasure and with a watch towards what comes subsequent,” mentioned Marcinkowski. “The infrastructure is constructed, the regulatory basis is in place, and the business alternative is actual. I’m grateful to Governor Hochul for her management and to New York State for greater than a decade of sustained funding that helped create the inspiration for this work. I’m honored to steer this staff and sit up for constructing on that progress in partnership with the private and non-private sector leaders who will assist scale what comes subsequent.”
In regards to the Transition
NUAIR’s management transition follows a strategic planning course of undertaken by the Board of Administrators. The Board performed a proper search and choice course of, prioritizing candidates with deep UAS and surveillance experience, familiarity with NUAIR’s public-private partnership mannequin, and established relationships with key stakeholders together with the Federal Aviation Administration and Empire State Improvement.
“I need to congratulate and welcome Craig as he steps into this new position. His expertise and management are precisely what this second requires,” mentioned Rob Simpson, Chairman of the NUAIR Board of Administrators and president and CEO of CenterState CEO. “NUAIR’s progress displays the robust partnership between New York State, the federal authorities and the personal sector, three constituencies that should proceed working collectively. Craig understands each the chance forward and what it takes to function efficiently on this surroundings and brings deep expertise working throughout these partnerships. We’re grateful to Ken for his contributions to the group and assured that Craig is the correct particular person to information NUAIR by its subsequent section of development.”
Empire State Improvement President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight mentioned, “The collaborative efforts of ESD and NUAIR proceed to speed up New York State’s place because the nationwide chief within the uncrewed plane programs and superior air mobility industries, and each Ken and Craig have been unbelievable companions. I need to sincerely thank Ken for serving to us advance these centered efforts from conception to execution and sit up for furthering our successes with Craig on the helm of NUAIR.”
About NUAIR
NUAIR is a nonprofit driving financial growth by improvements in UAS and Superior Air Mobility to soundly combine into the nationwide airspace. With assist from Empire State Improvement and the State of New York, NUAIR operates the Middle of Excellence for Superior Air Mobility at Syracuse Hancock Worldwide Airport in Syracuse, New York and manages 1,900 sq. miles of FAA-approved surveillance-as-a-service infrastructure — one of many largest low-altitude airspace administration programs in the US. Delivering demonstrated public return on funding of almost 7:1, NUAIR is proud to be the catalyst to not solely New York’s airspace innovation, however mobility development across the globe. Be taught extra at www.nuair.org.
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