WarrenUAS Welcomes Ed Celiano to Enhance Drone Expertise
Former Executive Director of NJUASTS Takes on Consultant Role to Propel UAS Integration and Research
WarrenUAS, the drone training initiative from Warren Community College in New Jersey, has recently announced the appointment of Ed Celiano, the previous Executive Director of the New Jersey Unmanned Aviation Systems Test Site, as a consultant and instructor. His focus will be on the integration of large Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) within the National Airspace System.
Ed Celiano brings extensive experience from his early career, where he collaborated with UAS Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to provide Class 2 and 3 intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems for the Department of Defense. His future projects with WarrenUAS will revolve around comprehensive research initiatives that aim to support various sectors, including natural resource management, agriculture, disaster recovery, critical infrastructure inspections, and law enforcement operations, including counter-UAS efforts.
“This is a tremendous advancement for us,” stated Will Austin, President of WarrenUAS, who has prioritized the drone program, elevating it to one of the leading UAS training offerings in the country over the last five years. “Ed’s 40-plus years in the Defense technology sector, particularly in managing military and public Class 2 and 3 UAS flight operations, makes him an invaluable addition to our team.”
Celiano’s impressive background includes leading flight operations for NJUASTS across New Jersey and additional states, contributing to the seamless integration of UAS into the national airspace. He expressed pride in his team’s accomplishments, emphasizing their unique ability to enable UAS public aircraft operations in critical locations nationwide.
Prior to his foray into the drone industry, Celiano held a position as the General Manager at Drexel University’s Applied Communications and Information Networking Center, recognized at the time as the largest incubator for business and technology within the Department of Defense in the U.S. He also served as General Manager and VP of Operations at S.T. Production Systems, focused on military electronics warfare and naval communication systems.
Celiano sees this role at WarrenUAS as an exciting opportunity to contribute further to the research and education landscape, aspiring to enhance the college’s capacity for more intricate UAS authorizations and equipping students to navigate advanced unmanned systems. His extensive experience in handling complex flight operations involving larger payloads will bolster WarrenUAS’s established success in securing rigorous FAA certifications for operations over populated areas.
Will Austin added, “Ed’s involvement adds a new dimension to a program that is experiencing rapid growth. We’re thrilled to have such a prominent figure join us; our students and the companies they will work for in the future will greatly benefit from this collaboration.”
“Over $5 million in UAS technology and expert instructors have already been acquired,” Austin noted. “This allows us to offer comprehensive training across various fields, including agriculture, law enforcement, search and rescue missions, and firefighting, all while engaging in innovative research.” He emphasized that Celiano’s expertise will provide students with exposure to sophisticated equipment and operational environments, in full compliance with FAA regulations.
“I’m thrilled to be part of the innovative work that Dr. Will and the team at WarrenUAS are doing,” Celiano remarked. “It’s a great chance for me to share the knowledge I’ve accumulated over my diverse experiences and help the college excel in this dynamic field.”
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