Robert Tanner

Advanced Air Mobility Director

Delaware, Ohio, United States

About

Respected, visionary leader currently serving as Advanced Air Mobility Director at the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), working within DriveOhio, the ODOT team charged with advancing emerging transportation technology on the ground and in the air.

Experience

  • Advanced Air Mobility Director at Ohio Department of Transportation
    Mar 2025 - Present · 1 yr 5 mos

    Craft and execute Ohio's advanced air mobility strategy, guide policy at the state and national levels, oversee infrastructure investment, and continue support of advanced aircraft operations in Ohio Collaborate with the National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence (NAAMCE) and JobsOhio to partner with public and private entities, leverage state and federal investment, accelerate research and development activities, and maximize public benefits.

  • Parallax Advanced Research (Full-time · 6 yrs 10 mos)
    • Executive Director of Aerospace Partnerships
      Nov 2021 - Present · 4 yrs 9 mos

      ▪ Provide national aviation industry input and guidance on strategic development of Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) technologies and research developed in Ohio by industry and all R1 and R2 Ohio universities to enable strategic partnerships among government, academia and industry ▪ Oversee the development and execution of federal proposals using organizational expertise in science and technology to offer innovative solutions for defense and civilian application. ▪ Lead the integration of advanced technologies developed through the Ohio Federal Research Network (OFRN) in response to the transformational development of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) to address the national challenge of integrating UAS into the National Airspace System (NAS) ▪ Monitor, develop and engage on matters of national importance regarding research and development, aviation and aeronautics and related economic development opportunities requiring legislative knowledge and industry collaboration in support of local, state and national economic priorities

    • Executive Director, Ohio Federal Research Network (OFRN)
      Oct 2019 - Nov 2021 · 2 yrs 2 mos

      The Ohio Federal Research Network (OFRN) mission is to stimulate Ohio's innovation economy by building state-wide, vibrant, university and industry based collaborations/partnerships, to meet the research requirements of Ohio's Federal Laboratories/Installations. Through engaging a broad array of stakeholders, OFRN will fortify the State's high tech research and workforce capabilities in areas such as national defense, space exploration, aeronautics and aviation.

  • VP Corporate & Government Affairs, Assoc. General Counsel at NetJets
    Oct 2010 - Aug 2019 · 8 yrs 11 mos

    ▪ Represented the company on legislative and regulatory affairs as well as general corporate legal matters ▪ Responsible for the development and execution of government affairs strategies at every level of government in all 50 States, including representation in Washington, D.C. ▪ Developed and maintained strong working relationships with members of Congress, their staff, Executive Branch officials and State elected officials. ▪ Directed and worked with Trade Associations and industry businesses in the development of national policy and advocacy strategies. ▪ Provide Advice and Counsel in the development of strategic partnerships among government, industry and academia ▪ Led a team of in-house attorneys on the execution of owner contracts and regulatory matters

  • General Counsel and Vice President of Governmental Affairs at Columbus Regional Airport Authority
    1999 - 2010 · 11 yrs

    ▪ Member of Executive Leadership team, reporting to the CEO, responsible for directing all legal matters and providing leadership in the execution of strategic goals and objectives ▪ Oversight of Legal & Government Affairs; Procurement; Risk Management and Business Diversity ▪ Provide strategic direction to organizational core services in Aviation Planning; Real Estate Development; Engineering & Construction; Finance; Human Resources and Security ▪ Primary liaison with elected and governmental officials at local, state and federal levels with sole responsibility for developing and implementing government/legislative funding and advocacy strategies ▪ Ensure compliance in legal and regulatory matters including economic development strategies for community-oriented projects

  • Chief Counsel and Senior Director of Legal Services at Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA)
    1991 - 1999 · 8 yrs

    ▪ Advisor and Counselor to General Manager, provide strategic advice and direction to CEO, Executive Staff and Board of Trustees, direct management of the offices of Contracts and Procurement, Legal Services, and Risk Management ▪ Supervise all litigation through direction of in-house and outside attorneys ▪ Advise and implement directives and policies; responsible for acquisition and/or disposition of real estate ▪ Development of human resource policies; manage organizational self-insurance fund with effective litigation strategy ▪ Interim Director of Business Operations