Board of Directors & Advisors
Joseph Dorando
CEO & Founder
Joseph Dorando, a retired civilian IT Specialist of the El Monte Police Department and a former U.S. Navy enlisted member, had a diverse role. He was involved in constructing and maintaining the police department’s network, city-wide phone system, microwave system, and various other wired systems. He also served as a web designer for the police department and provided audio-video services for city hall meetings. Prior to this, Joe worked as a PBX engineer for over two decades, including overseas service for military contractors.
Mr. Dorando recognized the potential of UAVs when reports of their use in Afghanistan and Iraq emerged. He understood that UAVs represented the future and that law enforcement had gained a valuable tool. Considering the various applications of unmanned aerial vehicles, it became evident to Mr. Dorando that there would be a substantial civilian job market for commercial UAV operators. This realization led to the creation of Wounded Eagle UAS, with the primary objective of training wounded and disabled veterans to build, operate, and maintain UAVs, enabling them to excel as career UAS operators.
George Meyer
Advisor
George Meyer, a retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel with 28 years of service, initially served in Air Defense Artillery in Germany and as an Infantry Platoon Leader in the Hawaii National Guard. Commissioned in 1993, he gained Airborne, Air Assault, and Pathfinder qualifications and later served as an Infantry Company Commander in American Samoa.
His career includes roles as a Civil Affairs Instructor at USAJFKSWC, a Battle Captain in Afghanistan, and Joint Exercise Planner at NORAD-USNORTHCOM, where he developed expertise in defense support to civil authorities. He supported FEMA in Regions II and VII and later worked for a defense contractor at Quantico Marine Corps Base on counter-drone programs.
George holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from National University and a Masters Certificate in Homeland Defense from The George Marshall Center, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. In his free time, he enjoys surfing, hiking, and creating drone videos along the San Diego North County Coast. He’s an active member of AUVSI, Lindberg Chapter, San Diego.
Patrick Rushing
Advisor
Patrick Rushing, retired U.S. Air Force SMSgt and former U.S. Navy civilian Accountant, had significant roles as Lead Accountant for the Sixth Fleet Comptroller in Naples, Italy, and Financial Specialist for the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron in Pensacola, Florida. He also served in Iraq and Afghanistan, holding positions as an Intelligence Specialist.
Based in Ocala, Florida, he earned an Advanced Accounting degree from the Fisher School of Accounting at the University of Florida in Gainesville. Patrick’s experience with drones during his deployments inspired him to assist disabled veterans in drone operation and obtaining their FAA 107 Pilot’s license for commercial drone use. He holds the FAA 107 Pilot’s License, serves as the treasurer for WE-UAS in Florida, and remains dedicated to helping wounded veterans master drone flight.
Brian Soliday
Advisor
Brian Soliday has three decades of experience in sales, marketing, and channel management within Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing. He currently serves as a Sales Executive at 1Spatial. Brian has presented technical papers at over 75 global events and authored articles in various publications. He holds a Summa cum laude MA degree in geography (1987) and a BS degree in geography (1983), both from the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO).
In sports, Brian played football at UNO and achieved seven consecutive Nebraska state titles, breaking 28 state records. He is actively involved in the nonprofit American Heroes in Action (AHIA), which provides therapeutic outdoor experiences for combat-wounded veterans and injured first responders. Brian also organizes Purple Heart recipient hunting activities in Colorado through AHIA.
Brian has volunteered with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) and served on the Board of Directors for the Rocky Mountain Region ASPRS. He’s been engaged in the GIS Colorado Board of Directors.
Paul Ruffin
Advisor
With 36+ years of experience in business management and IT, I specialize in international business development, management systems, and technology integration. I’m a skilled business analyst and enterprise systems expert, proficient in cost-effective and reliable technology integration.
Over 25 years, I’ve worked in diverse sectors, including banking, real estate, mortgage, health, social services, international trade, manufacturing, construction, public services, and education.
In 1980, I designed and marketed the reporting and tracking systems used today for real estate finance, expanding readership to 6 million weekly.
From 1983 to 1991, I pioneered database management and systems for various industries.
In 1992, I founded Earthwind Companies, Inc., offering IT solutions, application development, and hardware support. In 1996, I introduced virtual computing, ITaaS, ITaaU, cloud, and virtual private networks in a sustainable data center.
Dean Barefield
Advisor
Dean is an experienced Program Manager and military veteran. He served in the United States Army for over 22 years, with the last 12 as an AH-64D “Attack Helicopter” pilot and a UAS Technical Warrant Officer. He holds a Part 107 certification as a remote pilot and has a bachelor’s degree in Business Management. Dean is actively involved with the Critical Infrastructure Partnership Advisory Council (CIPAC) Working Group and the Energy Drone & Robotics Coalition. In his role as a UAS Program Manager, he leverages his experience to integrate UAS for the utility industry.
Steve Dykhouse
Advisor
Steve Dykhouse (USMC Ret.) is the President of Unmanned Systems Integration. He’s a full-time Department of Defense air traffic controller at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar with over 24 years of ATC experience. Steve also serves as the UAS airspace access coordinator and ATC liaison for counter-drone efforts at the base. His background includes 6 years as a turboprop propulsion mechanic in the Marines, and he has deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, both as active duty and as a contractor.
Steve holds a BS in Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and is pursuing a Master of Science in Aeronautics with a focus on Small UAS operations and Airspace Management. He’s actively involved in teaching at the Los Angeles County Regional Training Center, co-leading the counter-drone course and supporting other UAS-related education.
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