Drone Radio Show

Randy Goers
  • 4.5 (58)
  • Careers
  • Updated Biweekly

The Drone Radio Show is a weekly show about drones and the people who use them for business, fun and research. Our guests share how they're using drones to make a positive impact, build a business, lessons they've learned and insights that you can use to take YOUR interest in drones to the next level.

  1. 3d ago

    The Future of Security: How Titan Protection Is Scaling Drone Operations: Ryan Smith, CEO and Founder

    Ryan Smith id Founder and CEO of Titan Protection and Consulting.  Titan Protection is a premier security services provider and pioneer in autonomous drone security systems. The company was founded in 2008 to prove that physical security services could be both more effective and affordable. Today, Titan Protection employs over 600 people, and protects hundreds of companies across the Midwest with operations extending nationwide.  Titan developed one of the first successful remote pilot drone security programs and became the first security company authorized by the FAA to fly drones out of visual view. An instrument-rated pilot and certified Defensive Tactics Instructor, Ryan's real-world experience shaped his philosophy that effective security requires both advanced technology and highly-trained personnel.  His innovative "blended approach" to security – combining human expertise with emerging technologies – has resulted in significant improvements in security effectiveness while reducing operational costs for numerous enterprises across various sectors. Under his leadership, Titan has become one of the pioneers in using drones for remote security operations and recently received FAA approval for one-to-many drone operations, allowing a single operator to supervise multiple aircraft across multiple locations. In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Ryan talks about Titan Protection's approach to security, what makes the company different in a rapidly growing market, and how drones are evolving from specialized tools into native components of modern security operations. We'll also discuss the lessons Titan has learned while scaling its drone programs, the impact of one-to-many operations, real-world examples of autonomous security missions, and how Ryan sees these technologies changing the security industry in the years ahead.

    29 min
  2. Building a Vertically Integrated Drone Ecosystem: Linda Montgomery and Phil Franklin, Zenatech

    Jun 9

    Building a Vertically Integrated Drone Ecosystem: Linda Montgomery and Phil Franklin, Zenatech

    Linda Montgomery is Vice-President of Corporate Development, and Phil Franklin is Vice-President of Business Development for North and South America both at Zenatech. Zenatech is rapidly expanding its footprint across the drone industry through manufacturing, software development, drone as a service, operations, and strategic acquisitions. The company develops autonomous drone platforms for surveying, inspections, logistics, inventory management, and emerging defense applications while integrating AI software and data analytics into a unified ecosystem. At Zantec, Linda leads global strategy across investor relations, partnerships, marketing, and growth initiatives. Linda has over 20 years of experience, including senior marketing and business development roles with KPMG, IBM, and Telesat, as well as leadership in scaling more than 100 new ventures, product lines, and international market entries. She has also guided investor relations strategies for six IPOs and multiple public and venture-funded companies, advancing best practices in transparency, valuation growth, and market visibility. Phil spearheads the company's strategic expansion across North and South America, with a primary focus on driving sales growth and establishing ZenaTech's operational and manufacturing hub in Arizona. With over 25 years of experience in sales leadership and business operations, Phil plays a pivotal role in executing ZenaTech's "Drone as a Service" (DaaS) strategy. He is instrumental in building the company's pipeline for the ZenaDrone 1000 and IQ series drones, overseeing relationships with commercial, industrial, and government partners. His recent work includes leading initiatives to acquire flight training facilities to create a centralized pilot deployment hub and expanding the company's footprint in key sectors, such as logistics. In this episode of the Drone Radio show, Linda and Phil discuss Zenatech's approach to vertical integration, the company's growing drone as a service business, the role of autonomy and data in next generation drone operations, and its expansion into defense and counter UAS technologies.

    26 min

  3. May 20

    Smart Materials and the Rise of Ornithopters: Dr. Onur Bilgen, Rutgers University

    Dr. Onur Bilgen is Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Rutgers University.  Dr. Bilgen conducts research in the design of advanced drone systems, including fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, hybrid drone systems, and bioinspired ornithopters — flapping wing drones modeled after the flight of birds and insects. His work also explores the use of smart materials and innovative aerospace system designs. Onur has led NASA University Student Research Challenge projects, including the development of a Multi-Mode Hybrid Unmanned Delivery System. He also teaches a graduate course at Rutgers called Drones: Fundamentals and Applications and has helped expand drone education and testing capabilities through initiatives like the Rutgers Drone Playground and the Buehler Drone Lab's VICON Motion Tracking System. In this episode, we'll talk about the future of flapping wing drones, the role of smart materials in next-generation aircraft design, and how bioinspired engineering could influence the next wave of unmanned aviation innovation.

    33 min
  4. Inside the Future of Drones: Policy, Security, and What XPONENTIAL 2026 Reveals – with Michael Robbins, AUVSI

    Apr 21

    Inside the Future of Drones: Policy, Security, and What XPONENTIAL 2026 Reveals – with Michael Robbins, AUVSI

    Michael Robbins is President and CEO of Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International or AUVSI, the world's largest trade association for uncrewed systems, robotics, and autonomous technologies. Representing both commercial and defense sectors, AUVSI plays a critical role in connecting industry, influencing policy, and helping define how these technologies are deployed at scale. Michael brings deep experience across government, aviation, and advocacy. He previously served as Chief Advocacy Officer at AUVSI, co-founded the consulting firm Intrepid, and held leadership roles at the Air Line Pilots Association, where he led aviation safety, security, and government affairs. He also spent a decade on Capitol Hill as Chief of Staff to Congressman John Dingell, and continues to serve as an Officer in the United States Navy Reserve. In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Michael talks about the real forces shaping the uncrewed systems industry, from supply chain security and regulatory bottlenecks to the growing influence of defense priorities, and what it all means for the future of autonomy. We'll also take a closer look at XPONENTIAL 2026 and why it remains a key signal for where the industry is heading. Xponential 2026 will be held in Detroit on May 11 - May 14.

    31 min
  5. Persistent Flight in the Stratosphere - Justin Selfridge, Phd. and CEO of Devorto

    Apr 9

    Persistent Flight in the Stratosphere - Justin Selfridge, Phd. and CEO of Devorto

    Justin Selfridge, PhD, is Founder and CEO of Devorto Corporation. Devorto is developing a breakthrough high-altitude platform called the Tethered Uni-Rotor Network, or TURN—a completely new aircraft architecture designed to combine the vertical lift and loitering capability of a helicopter with the aerodynamic efficiency of an airplane, enabling long-duration, solar-powered flight in the stratosphere. At Devorto, leads the development of this next-generation persistent drone technology. Backed by both private investment and government support from organizations like NASA, the U.S. Air Force, and the U.S. Space Force, Justin and his team are working to redefine how we think about high-altitude operations, with the potential to disrupt both satellite and traditional aerial platform markets. In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Justin talks about why the stratosphere is such a critical domain for future aviation systems, how the TURN platform works and what makes it different from anything we've seen before, and the real-world applications and impact this technology could have across commercial and defense sectors.

    35 min

  6. Mar 3

    Uncrewed Systems in the Arctic: Security, Surveillance, and NATO's Growing Role - Federico Borsari, CEPA

    Federico Borsari is a Non-Resident Fellow with the Transatlantic Defense and Security Program at the Center for European Policy Analysis, or CEPA for short.  The Center for European Policy Analysis is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy institution headquartered in Washington, DC, with hubs in London and Brussels. The organization focuses on strengthening the transatlantic alliance through research, analysis, and programs. CEPA provides insight on trends affecting democracy, security, and defense to government officials and agencies, helps transatlantic businesses navigate changing strategic landscapes, and builds networks of future leaders committed to transatlantic cooperation. At CEPA, Federico focuses on issues at the intersection of technology and international security, with particular emphasis on unmanned systems and autonomy. His work also covers NATO and transatlantic defense and security. He has authored several analyses and publications on the use and security implications of unmanned aerial systems by both state and non-state actors, and recently co-authored the first-ever report on drone warfare and its implications for NATO. Federico previously served as a Pan-European Fellow and later a Visiting Fellow with the European Council on Foreign Relations, and until October 2021 he worked as an analyst and project officer at the International Institute for International Political Studies in Milan, where he also helped organize the last three editions of the Mediterranean Dialogues Conference. He holds a BA in History from the University of Modena and an MA in International Relations and Strategic Studies from the University of Bologna. He also earned a second MA in Middle Eastern Studies from the Catholic University in Milan, and conducted fieldwork in Iraqi Kurdistan for a research project on the institutionalization and depoliticization of the Peshmarga. Federico is a frequent commentator on defense and drone technology in national and international media, and he regularly participates in conferences on defense technology and the use of drones. In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Federico talks about how uncrewed systems are being used in the Arctic, and the challenges and opportunities they present for security, monitoring, and protecting critical infrastructure in this increasingly strategic region.

    39 min

  7. Feb 17

    Protecting Stadiums in the Age of Drone Incursions: Melissa Swisher, CRO at SkySafe

    Melissa Swisher is Chief Revenue Officer at SkySafe, a company delivering the intelligence organizations need to detect, analyze, and act in today's increasingly complex airspace environment. SkySafe specializes in airspace intelligence — providing real-time drone detection, analytics, and forensic capabilities that help organizations determine whether a drone is authorized, where it originated, how it's flying, and in some cases, who is operating it. The company works with state agencies, public safety organizations, and major event operators to bring greater visibility and accountability to the skies above critical infrastructure and large public gatherings. As Chief Revenue Officer, Melissa leads SkySafe's strategic partnerships and revenue growth initiatives, helping expand the company's footprint across government and commercial markets. She brings extensive C-level experience, having played key roles in two successful IPOs — SuccessFactors and Castlight Health — as well as multiple strategic acquisitions. Prior to SkySafe, she co-founded Socrates.ai, which was recently acquired by Simpplr. Known for building high-performing teams and driving customer-focused growth, Melissa combines operational expertise with a deep understanding of scaling emerging technologies. In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Melissa discusses the evolution of airspace intelligence, the biggest gaps in current drone defense systems, what new legislation means for local law enforcement, and how organizations are preparing for large-scale global events in an era of rapidly expanding drone activity.

    33 min

  8. Feb 4

    Making Autonomous Cargo Work at Real-World Scale: Charles Acknin, CEO Skyways

    Charles Acknin is Co-Founder and CEO of Skyways.  Skyways is building unmanned aircraft systems designed to revolutionize autonomous cargo transportation. Unlike many competitors still in development, Skyways' aircraft are operational today — carrying meaningful payloads over significant distances for both military and commercial customers. Based in Austin, Skyways is now shifting toward mass production of its autonomous aircraft, building confidence through real-world cargo missions that could ultimately enable future passenger applications. At Skyways, Charles leads the company's strategic vision and oversees operations, product development, and growth initiatives in autonomous aviation. Prior to Skyways, Charles co-founded and served as CEO of Elixir Labs. Before that, he was a Senior Software Engineer at Google, where he worked on the company's search engine for nearly five years and spent a year advancing Google's mission of universal accessibility. Earlier in his career, Charles held engineering roles at Oracle, Cosworld-Asia in Shanghai, and Amadeus. He also participated in Google Summer of Code, contributing to the open-source version control system Subversion. Charles holds a Master of Science in Software Engineering from Oxford Brookes University and a Master of Science in Computer Science from SUPINFO. In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Charles shares how Skyways is turning autonomous cargo drones from experimental technology into dependable, scalable logistics systems.

    34 min
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4.5
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About

The Drone Radio Show is a weekly show about drones and the people who use them for business, fun and research. Our guests share how they're using drones to make a positive impact, build a business, lessons they've learned and insights that you can use to take YOUR interest in drones to the next level.

Information

  • Creator
    Randy Goers
  • Years Active
    2015 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Drone Radio Show

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