Speakers
Adam Cohen is a leading expert in emerging transportation technologies with over 20 years of research experience at UC Berkeley’s Transportation Sustainability Research Center and the Mineta Transportation Institute. He has led 50+ studies on advanced air mobility (AAM), urban air mobility (UAM), mobility on demand, and automated vehicles.
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He co-authored NASA’s AAM market study and led early research on AAM’s social acceptance. As a board member of the Community Air Mobility Initiative (CAMI), he promotes responsible UAM integration and co-instructs the Urban Air Policy Collaborative, guiding transportation planners on AAM topics like equity and multimodal integration.
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Adam chairs TRB’s AP020 committee on public transportation innovation and serves as Vice Chairman of SAE’s Shared and Digital Mobility Committee. He also contributes to NASA’s AAM groups and the American Society of Civil Engineers. Previously, he worked for the Department of Homeland Security and Georgia Tech Research Institute.
Dr. Shahneh is an expert in Aircraft Systems Design with over 20 years of experience in computational, experimental, and theoretical methodologies. He holds degrees in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from QMU London.
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Since 2009, he has been a faculty member at Cranfield University’s Centre of Aeronautics, conducting research and lecturing on airframe systems, hydraulics, pneumatics, flight control actuation, and aerodynamics. He has supervised numerous PhD and MSc projects.
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By 2025, he will have overseen 200+ aircraft systems projects. He also serves as a project examiner, independent academic representative, and external examiner for Hertfordshire University. A member of the Royal Aeronautical Society, he has published 50 papers and is the Premaster course director.
Clint Harper is an aviation expert with 26 years of experience in both military and civilian sectors. As an Air Force veteran, he specialized in aircraft dispatch, airport operations, planning, heliport design, and unmanned aerial systems, gaining deep insight into aviation logistics and infrastructure.
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After his military career, Clint pursued his passion for urban development, earning a Master’s in City and Metropolitan Planning and a graduate certificate in Urban Design. His work explores how aviation infrastructure shapes cities and how emerging technologies can be integrated into transportation networks.
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Now, he focuses on Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), ensuring it complements existing systems rather than replacing them. Through strategic planning, policy development, and stakeholder engagement, Clint is dedicated to making AAM a seamless part of modern cities, improving mobility and accessibility for all.
Kolin Schunck is a business and law graduate with experience in innovation, aerospace and strategy consulting. He currently works as a Senior Manager for Strategic Innovation & Intelligence at Lufthansa Innovation Hub, where he is responsible for the area of sustainable aviation.
This includes sustainable aviation fuels, electric and hydrogen aviation, and advanced air mobility. Kolin is passionate about the disruptive forces shaking up the aerospace and aviation industry and is dedicated to contributing to a more sustainable aviation industry by connecting with the ecosystem, providing knowledge, and sharing insights with both external and internal Lufthansa Group stakeholders.
He is a true aviation enthusiast and brings his passion to his work in a positive and impactful way.
Prof. Marilyn Smith is a leading expert in rotorcraft aerodynamics and aeroelasticity, with a focus on unsteady computational methods for complex aerospace systems. She holds the David S. Lewis Professorship at Georgia Tech’s School of Aerospace Engineering.
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She is Director of the Vertical Lift Research Center of Excellence and has led numerous research projects on rotorcraft behavior, dynamics, and performance. She is a Fellow of AIAA, the Royal Aeronautical Society, and a VFS Technical Fellow.
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Her recognitions include the 2022 AIAA Applied Aerodynamics Award and the 2023 Lanchester Memorial Lecture. She is also a former Technical Director of VFS and the 2022 VFS Nicolsky Lecturer.
With over 20 years in electric mobility and a decade in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), Nicolas Zart is a recognized industry leader, consultant, and advocate for sustainable aviation. As the founder of Electric Air Mobility, LLC, he works at the forefront of emerging air transportation, specializing in vertiport infrastructure, energy systems, and urban mobility integration.
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Collaborating with OEMs, AAM startups, and policymakers, Nicolas develops scalable, sustainable vertiport ecosystems that align with urban airspace management. His expertise bridges technology, strategy, and regulation, helping cities, airports, and heliports adapt to the evolving landscape of next-generation aviation.
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A sought-after speaker and writer, Nicolas has contributed to publications like Vertiflite and CleanTechnica, sharing insights on regulatory frameworks, infrastructure challenges, and technological advancements shaping the industry. His multicultural perspective and hands-on experience allow him to navigate the complexities of global markets, fostering forward-thinking solutions that drive the future of flight.
Olaf Bünck is an architect and real estate expert who specializes in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). In our group, he leads all studies related to urban air mobility, airport cities, and landside real estate. In 1994, he founded his own company, b:F GmbH, in Berlin, which for many years was the go-to address for high-resolution architectural designs and visualizations for large-scale projects, including airports.
After more than 20 years in architecture design and marketing, Olaf Bünck turned his attention to the real estate industry. Since the summer of 2016, he has been a valued member of the amd.sigma team, working on several master plan and airport city projects, as well as delivering real estate analyses and concepts for airport and real estate clients. In 2022, the AMI initiative (led by AIRBUS) approved funding for two large research projects, AMI "AirShuttle" and AMI "FlyIn2Air," both of which are led by him and a specially trained team.
His key qualifications are airport master planning, architectural design and development of airport infrastructure ("airport cities”), design and planning of AAM/UAM infrastructure as well as CAPEX calculation, project management, and concept development processes.
Oliver Schultes is an aviation expert with over 14 years of experience in the industry. He began his career at Munich Airport Group, working in political advisory on air transport industry matters.
Eight years ago, he transitioned to the airport’s Inhouse Consulting unit, where he has focused on the strategic development of Munich Airport as a 5-star aviation hub. As an internal Management Consultant, Oliver has led complex, cross-divisional transformation programs and gained deep expertise in organizational development, operational excellence, and corporate strategy.
Since late 2021, he has also taken a leading role in Munich Airport’s Advanced Air Mobility Initiative, where he is responsible for planning, implementing, and managing the operation of a Vertiport. His key qualifications include strategic project leadership, process optimization, and the integration of innovative technologies into airport infrastructure.
Rex Alexander is a specialist in vertical flight infrastructure with over 40 years of experience in military, general, and commercial aviation. He is both a pilot and certified Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) technician, with a career focused on aviation safety and operations.
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He is the founder and president of Five-Alpha (5α) LLC, an aeronautical consultancy dedicated to research, training, and strategic guidance for vertical flight infrastructure. Since 2019, he has served as Infrastructure Advisor to the Vertical Flight Society and is recognized globally for his work in heliport and vertiport design.
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Rex has advised government agencies, standards bodies, and industry stakeholders. He regularly presents at international conferences, contributes to policy development, and serves as a subject matter expert on vertical lift infrastructure.
Founder and Partner at SMG Consulting, a boutique management consulting firm specializing in international business development, strategy, product marketing, and program management. The firm provides communications, competitive analysis, and Danaher Business System (DBS) expertise to a diverse portfolio of clients, ranging from mid-size companies to Fortune 100 corporations in the Aerospace, Defense, and AutoTech industries.
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With a focus on delivering tailored solutions, SMG Consulting helps organizations navigate complex markets, enhance operational efficiency, and drive sustainable growth. The firm leverages deep industry knowledge and strategic insights to support clients in achieving their business objectives.
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Through a combination of innovative approaches and hands-on experience, SMG Consulting has built a strong reputation for guiding companies through challenges and opportunities in highly competitive industries.
