Hogan Lovells hosts Post-White House Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Summit reception

The technologies highlighted at the WH AAM Summit will improve access to transportation, lower emissions, galvanize supply chain and distribution logistics, reduce healthcare inequality, and boost public safety and emergency response, according to the Commercial Drone Alliance (CDA), the preeminent industry trade group working with federal government officials, industry stakeholders, and others to promote solutions that enable the safe and secure integration of commercial drones into the National Air Space.

In partnership with the CDA and other industry partners (listed below), global law firm Hogan Lovells hosted a post-Summit reception attended by more than 200 individuals across government, media, and industry, with senior-level government officials, including the following, delivering remarks:

• Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS)
• Joshua Geltzer, Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Homeland Security Advisor, National Security Council, The White House
• Carlos Monje, Under Secretary of Policy, Department of Transportation
• Jay Merkle, Executive Director, UAS Integration Office, Federal Aviation Administration
• Dr. Edgar Waggoner, Deputy Associate Administrator for Programs, National Aeronautics and Space Administration
• Lucian Sikorskyj, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Counterterrorism, Threat Prevention, and Law Enforcement (Acting), Department of Homeland Security
• Andrew Beasley, Air Force Strategic Policy Fellow, Office of Science Technology Policy, The White House
• Michael Hardin, Director for Aviation and Surface Transportation, National Security Council, The White House (pending ethics approval)
• Lisa Ellman, Partner, Hogan Lovells and Executive Director, Commercial Drone Alliance
• Brian Wynne, President and CEO, AUVSI

Partner and Chair of the firm's Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) practice, Lisa Ellman, who also serves as the Executive Director of the CDA, noted: “We are living through an advanced aviation revolution. When its history is written, the WH AAM Summit will mark a significant milestone.”

She added: “President Biden now has the opportunity to take strong executive action unleashing the potential of these advanced aviation technologies. Such action is necessary to ensure American leadership in the next era of aviation.”

In addition to Hogan Lovells and CDA, co-sponsors of the Post-AAM Summit Reception included AUVSI, GAMA, AIAA, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Technology Engagement Center, NBAA, CTIA, DroneResponders, AIRT, Choctaw Nation, Skydio, Wing, Supernal, American Robotics, and Honeywell.

Hogan Lovells’ partner Lisa Ellman (Washington, D.C.) is the Co-founder and Executive Director of the CDA and counsel Emily Kimball (Denver) serves as the CDA Deputy Director. The CDA also is supported by members of the UAS practice including partners Arjun Garg and Mike Bell, counsel Pat Rizzi, senior associate Matt Clark, and associate Allisa Newman (all Washington, D.C.).

About the Commercial Drone Alliance

The Commercial Drone Alliance is an independent non-profit organization led by key leaders in the commercial drone and advanced air mobility industries. The CDA brings together commercial drone end-users, manufacturers, service providers, advanced air mobility companies, drone security companies, and vertical markets including oil and gas, precision agriculture, construction, security, communications technology, infrastructure, newsgathering, and filmmaking. The CDA works with all levels of government to collaborate on policies for industry growth and seeks to educate the public on the safe and responsible use of commercial drones to achieve economic benefits and humanitarian gains.