FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Advanced Air Mobility Institute Appoints Dean Rudolph to Board of Directors
FAA Designated Airworthiness Representative brings UAS and optionally piloted aircraft certification expertise to AAMI governance
SHAWNEE, Okla. — September 17, 2026 — The Advanced Air Mobility Institute (AAMI), a nonprofit industry organization advancing the responsible commercialization of eVTOL aircraft, autonomous flight, and drone operations, today announced the appointment of Dean Rudolph to its Board of Directors.
Rudolph brings specialized experience in aircraft airworthiness and Federal Aviation Administration delegation. In October 2024, he received expanded delegation as an FAA Designated Airworthiness Representative–Manufacturing (DAR-F), an extremely rare authorization encompassing 12 UAS and Optionally Piloted Aircraft function codes, numbered 70 through 81. The delegation authorizes him to perform specified certification functions, including issuing Special and Standard Airworthiness Certificates, within the scope of his FAA authorization.
"Dean's appointment strengthens our Board in an area central to the commercialization of advanced aircraft," said Daniel C. Sloat, Founder and President of the Advanced Air Mobility Institute. "Certification can determine whether an aircraft program advances into operations or stalls. Dean brings practical experience applying FAA airworthiness requirements to emerging aircraft categories."
"AAMI is committed to the educational, awareness and coordination work the advanced air mobility sector needs at this stage of commercialization," said Rudolph. "I'm honored to join a Board supporting the advancement of all facets of AAM responsibly, and I look forward to meaningfully contributing to that work."
Rudolph's appointment brings the AAMI Board of Directors to eight members and expands its expertise in aircraft airworthiness, certification, and regulatory implementation. AAMI's current leadership page identifies Rudolph as the AAM Practice Lead for Collinear Group, a Capgemini Company, and the Board's AAM airworthiness expert.
About the Advanced Air Mobility Institute The Advanced Air Mobility Institute is a nonprofit industry organization advancing the responsible commercialization of eVTOL aircraft, autonomous flight, drone operations, and related aviation technologies. AAMI publishes analysis, convenes industry stakeholders, and supports the policy, regulatory, workforce, and community-engagement efforts needed to advance AAM in the United States and internationally. Learn more at aaminstitute.org.
About Dean Rudolph Dean Rudolph is one of a very few individuals in the United States with full FAA Designated Airworthiness Representative–Manufacturing (DAR-F) delegation across all categories of Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Optionally Piloted Aircraft, a distinction spanning 12 Function Codes earned through rigorous FAA Technical Review Board evaluation. He leads the Advanced Air Mobility practice at Collinear Group, a Capgemini Company, where he guides clients through certification and regulatory compliance for UAS and AAM technologies, and serves on the board of Xcert AI, advising on airworthiness, public policy, and public safety. A U.S. Air Force veteran who served as a B-52 Offensive Avionics System Technician, Rudolph has also spent 15 years as a firefighter, working at the intersection of public service and drone / AAM operations. Widely regarded as one of the foremost experts on innovation within regulated aerospace environments, he brings a career-long focus on advancing emerging technology while upholding the highest standards of aviation safety and compliance.
Media Contact: Dan Sloat Advanced Air Mobility Institute [email address] [phone]
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[DRAFTING NOTES, strip before distribution:] • Dateline: SHAWNEE, Okla. — September 17, 2026. Source: AAMI IRS registration (EIN 92-3414987) at 1817 N Minnesota Ave, Shawnee, OK 74804 per GuideStar. No prior AAMI-issued press release exists on aaminstitute.org/media, so no house convention to conform to. • Dan's title on the release: currently "Founder and President" per Dean-reviewed draft; confirm with Dan • Board count of eight: Dean deferred to Dan; confirm before distribution • AAMI boilerplate: Dean deferred to Dan; confirm the currently-worded paragraph or swap in the approved version • Quote approvals: Sloat quote approved-as-written by Dean 2026-09-17 (no edits returned); Rudolph quote replaced with his 2026-09-17 revision • Dean-approved biographical facts folded into About Dean: AAM Practice Lead at Collinear Group (a Capgemini Company); DAR-F across 12 Function Codes via FAA Technical Review Board; Xcert AI board seat; USAF B-52 Offensive Avionics System Technician; 15 years as a firefighter • Distribution: direct-to-press only for launch. Six-contact list + cover-email template + tracker live below in this expanded panel. Wire distribution (BusinessWire / PR Newswire / GlobeNewswire) is not being used for this release. • LinkedIn version: post the Board Spotlight draft on the same day the press release goes out, different tone, same news moment