Bios
Major Karrissa A. Goeken
Director of Staff, 3rd Special Operations Squadron, 27st Special Operations Wing, Cannon AFB, New Mexico
Major Karrissa A. Goeken is the Director of Staff for the 3rd Special Operations Squadron in the 27st Special Operations Wing, Cannon AFB, New Mexico. As the Director of Staff and an MQ-9 pilot, Maj Garza leads 240 airmen in providing air superiority to Combatant Commanders and Special Operation Forces around the world. Maj Garza is also responsible for ensuring aircrews are trained, equipped and ready to meet the next challenge.
In 2012, Maj Garza commissioned from ROTC at the University of Colorado Boulder, and immediately reported to Dyess Air Force Base, Texas as a Logistics Readiness Officer for the 7th Logistics Readiness Squadron. Maj Garza gained experiences as the Instillation Deployment Officer where she led eight deployments of C-130Js and B-1B to three areas of operation to move a total of 1300 airmen and 56 tons of cargo. Next she served as the Petroleum Oil and Lubricants Flight Commander led 78 airmen to meet the Flying Hour Program for the first time in six years. Maj Garza moved on to command the Materiel Management flight where her team’s innovative efforts earned Dyess AFB the prestige of being the most innovative base in Air Combat Command. Then Maj Garza moved to South Korea to serve as the Logistics Liaison at the 607th Air Support Operations Group, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea where she aligned four bases with joint and coalition operational plans to deter North Korea. Following this assignment, Maj Garza then moved to Travis AFB, California to join the 621st Contingency Response Wing where her and her team delivered emergency airlift capabilities to hurricane victims and emerging combat crises. Finally, Maj Garza attended Undergraduate Remote Pilot Aviation training at Randolph AFB, Texas before joining the 3rd Special Operations Squadron.
Doug Wood
UAS Program Manager, Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission
Doug Wood joined the Commission staff in January of 2022 and brings 26 years of law enforcement experience, with 17 years as a first line supervisor responsible for training, supervisory, management and administrative tasks, including project development of the former RCPD Underwater Rescue/Recovery (Dive) Team, Patrol Rifle Program, In-House Rangemaster Development Program, School Safety and Workplace Violence Program, Initial Ft. Riley RCPD Range project, and RCPD small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Program. He served 23 years in the U. S. Navy (Reserve) as a “Deckplate Leader” with increasing levels of responsibility for training, supervisory, administrative, mentoring, and technical expertise as a first-line supervisor and upper-level non-commissioned officer primarily in the area of Firearms Training and Anti-Terrorism / Force Protection Physical Security Procedures.
Doug works directly with users of UAS in the state, FAA, and other state/local government agencies and administer's the Commission’s UAS program. He also conducts research related to other states’ rules and regulations for UAS and determines how Oklahoma can best position itself within the industry. He is the primary contact point to develop/update a UAS strategic plan for the state and provides recommendations to other state agencies or local governments on UAS operations, regulations, and policies.
Doug holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Central Christian College, McPherson, Kansas.
Jordan Hall
Storm Chaser
Jordan Hall is a professional storm chaser out of Norman Oklahoma. He has captured over 70 tornadoes in the last 2 years and has started implementing Drones into his day-to-day operations! His goal is to continue capturing tornadoes cinematically through the eyes of a drone in an effort to see things we have never seen before. Jordan’s work has been featured on National Networks including The Weather Channel, NBC, and more!
Jeff West
Francis Tuttle
Jeff "Muhname_esjeff" West has been flying since late 2016 and has flown in hundreds of professional races, co-commentator for big races all over the country, flown professionally for Nitro Monster Truck Tour, Carden Spectacular Circus, live broadcasting with RacinDirt.TV as well as multiple weddings. Know as a jack of all trades with a drone. He has now been focusing on teaching the next generation pilot at Fransic Tuttle Technology Center in OKC. He will be teaching drone building 101, aerial cinematography, and aerial land surveying.
Mark Schurig
FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician/Inspector
Mark Schurig has been in the aviation maintenance career field for over 35 years. He started with the United States Air Force learning about aircraft maintenance. While on active duty and serving as a reservist, he worked as a 145 Aircraft Repair Station Technician, served as a Flight Line Maintenance Technician for a 121 Commercial Airlines. He also worked as a Technician for a Helicopter Tour Company. Mark has been with the Federal Aviation Administration since 2006 employed as an Aviation Maintenance Technician/Inspector. He is also a member of the FAAST Team as a Program Manager in Airworthiness. Working in his current job capacity, Mark hopes to continue to reduce the aviation accident rate in the State of Oklahoma.
Aaron Baker
Skyway36 Airport/Droneport Manager
Aaron Baker is an aviation industry veteran two decades worth of management, leadership, and team building experience across multiple industries. He has experience with FAA Part 135 and Part 91 flight operations, as well as Part 61 flight school operations and management. Additionally, Aaron is a Part 107 certified UAS operator.
As the Skyway36 Airport/Droneport Manager, Aaron is responsible for overall facility operations and tenant engagement. He is also involved in the business development planning and expansion associated with the aerospace industrial park and flight test facilities. Aaron is also helping develop the Skyway Range UAS Flight Test Corridor and serves as UAS testing and management liaison for Skyway36 and Osage Nation Ranch test site.
Robert Newell, PhDCS, CGCIO
MCSE, A+, CCNP, VCIX ,PMP, CISA ,CISM, CISSP, CSSGB, CEH/CNDA, UAS, MS, OSINT4 & CJIS Certified
Robert Newell, CIO and PIO for the City of Ardmore, has many passions in life: family, cinematography, drone flying, theater lighting and design, education, collecting certifications to add letters behind his name, and more. After college, Robert began his film career with the Walt Disney Company in Film Production. However, it was behind the camera as a freelance Cinematographer for 15 years that he truly was able to nurture and develop his creative talents. In an effort to spend less time away from his family, Robert left the film industry and began a second career in Information Technology. For over 20+ years he has devoted his abilities to public sector IT. Robert is a published contributor to CompTIA. A lifelong learner, Robert received a Masters from Rutgers University with a thesis on The Practical and Ethical use of Drones in Municipalities. After graduation, his thesis was integrated into the curriculum and Robert now serves as an Adjunct Professor at Rutgers. Always looking to use his creative talents, Robert serves on the Board of Directors for the Ardmore Little Theater and volunteers his time as Lighting Director periodically. His visual creativity coupled with his 18 Technical Certifications gives him a unique perspective of the value of the Drone Industry to the public sector. But honestly, in the end, Robert enjoys flying drones because they are just cool.
Aaron Varland
FAASTeam Program Manager
Aaron Varland has been flying for more than 20 years and has a bachelor’s degree in aviation management. He has instructed Part 61/141 and flown professionally under Parts 91, 91k and 135. In 2014, he was hired into the Will Rogers Flight Standards District Office as an Aviation Safety Inspector (ASI). As an ASI he had oversight of commercial operators working under Parts 133, 135, 137 and 141 as well as providing medical flight reviews, 44709’s and check rides. In June of 2017, Aaron joined the Federal Aviation Administration Safety Team with the goal of helping to reduce the aviation accident rate in the state of Oklahoma.
Dr. Alyssa Avery
Research Assistant Professor, USRI, OSU
Dr. Alyssa Avery is a research professor at Oklahoma State University. She has experience in aircraft icing, sensor design, unmanned system design, composite manufacturing, and droplet dynamics. Current work includes low velocity ice accretion studies, low altitude winter weather observation, cloud sensor development, aerial wildfire mitigation systems, and small UAS vehicle design. She serves as the faculty mentor for the teams in OSU's undergraduate NASA MicroG program. She also teaches mechanical and aerospace engineering courses including: Applied Aerodynamics, Aircraft Structures, Engineering Analysis, and Engineering Dynamics.