As SVP Product Development at Electra, JP is responsible for all aspects of Electra’s operations. He was previously the Director of Programs at Electra where he led the execution of Electra’s programs. Before joining Electra, he led the development of an eVTOL aircraft for Porsche as Senior Technical Program Manager at Aurora Flight Sciences (a Boeing Company).

‍

He is an aerospace engineer from Virginia Tech by training and previously worked as the propulsion/system test and solar array leads for Aurora’s solar-powered aircraft and as a mechanical engineer on various Aurora programs. He began his career in the UAS industry and founded a company to collect and process aerial imagery of farms for precision agriculture through the Yale Entrepreneurial Institute.

‍

While in college, he was selected by Aviation Week for the 20 Twenties program for “Fearless enthusiasm, curiosity, engineering capability, and concern about the world beyond themselves.”

‍

When not working on airplanes, he’s an active pilot and instructor flying both sailplane and powered aircraft. He learned to fly sailplanes at the Blue Ridge Soaring Society and has flown over 620 miles/8 hrs in a single flight and up to 17,835 ft – all without an engine. He is a life member of the Soaring Society of America, holder of 19 state records, and has represented the US Soaring Team four-times in the World Championships.