Three decades of federal aviation leadership to help guide DART’s advanced air mobility, workforce, and infrastructure work across California and beyond

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – Monterey Bay Drones, Aviation & Robotics Technology (DART), a nonprofit working toward an emerging technology economy for all Californians, today announced that Mark McClardy, President and Founder of McClardy Aviation Strategies, LLC, has joined its Advisory Council.

Mark McClardy retired from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in May 2025 after 34 years with the agency. For 22 of those years he served as Director of the Airports Division for the FAA’s Western Pacific Region. In that role he was the senior executive responsible for federal actions on airport certification, funding, planning, environmental clearance, and grant assurance compliance. His oversight covered complex and time-sensitive projects at more than 300 airports across the West Coast and the Pacific.

In January 2026, McClardy launched McClardy Aviation Strategies, LLC, which helps clients build strategies that define both “the what” and “the why.”

As an Advisory Council member, McClardy will offer strategic guidance on DART’s programs, partnerships, and economic development priorities, from communities, and airports, across California to neighboring states and international partners. He will also help identify collaboration and funding opportunities, serve as an ambassador for DART in professional and community networks, and help connect underserved communities to career pathways in advanced air mobility and aerospace. He plans to contribute to DART events, including panel discussions, and to share his expertise on airport readiness planning for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) operations.

“Mark has spent his career making sure airports are ready for what comes next, and that is exactly the question California and its neighbors are asking about advanced air mobility. His experience with airport planning, federal funding, and the federal regulatory process will sharpen our infrastructure work and help us connect it to workforce pathways for communities across the state and beyond. As interest from partners in other states and countries grows, his perspective will be invaluable. We are honored to have him on the Advisory Council.”
— Josh Metz, Executive Director, DART

“To help make AAM sustainable and successful airports, communities, and the emerging workforce must align.  This is true whether its in a rural or urban California town, a neighboring state, or an international partner region. DART is doing the hard work of connecting those pieces, and I’m glad to lend my experience to that effort and to help open doors to these careers for people who haven’t always had access to them.”
— Mark McClardy, President and Founder, McClardy Aviation Strategies, LLC

The DART Advisory Council provides strategic guidance, industry expertise, and community connections to help DART advance workforce development, sector growth, and inclusive prosperity in the UAS and AAM emerging technology sectors across California, neighboring states, and international partner regions.

Join Us at LIFT Summit 2027
DART’s annual LIFT Summit convenes leaders in advanced air mobility, autonomy, and workforce development. LIFT 2027 takes place March 23–25, 2027, at the Monterey Marriott. Learn more at LIFTSummit.org.

About DART
 DART is a California-based nonprofit driving innovation in next-gen aviation, autonomous technology, and other emerging sectors. Focused on equitable access to quality jobs and economic growth, DART partners with businesses, government, education, and community to develop sustainable solutions in workforce training, infrastructure, and resource access. Learn more at https://mbdart.org/.

About McClardy Aviation Strategies, LLC
 Founded in January 2026 by Mark McClardy, McClardy Aviation Strategies, LLC helps clients achieve results through aviation strategies that define both “the what” and “the why.” Learn more at https://mcclardystrategies.com/.