Speakers
Adam Cohen is a transportation expert with more than two decades of experience in innovative and emerging technologies, including advanced air mobility, shared mobility, mobility on demand, and mobility as a service.
He has examined the role of these innovations in shaping mobility, planning, and policy. He holds a master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from the Georgia Institute of Technology and previously worked for the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
He serves on the board of the Community Air Mobility Initiative (CAMI) and co-facilitates the Urban Air Policy Collaborative, which guides transportation planners on AAM topics such as multimodal integration and community impacts.​
Curtis Grad is chief executive and founding partner of Modalis Infrastructure Partners Inc., a strategic investment and professional advisory services company specializing in international transport infrastructure privatization, investment, development, operations, business intelligence and talent solutions. During his 25+ year career in the transport infrastructure sector, he has led extensive change management and redevelopment programs for various international airport and port facilities worldwide, spanning Canada, Jamaica, Cyprus, Jordan and Panama.
Curtis Grad is a seasoned multi-modal transport executive with extensive international experience specializing in complex Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) privatizations. He has demonstrated exceptional expertise in transitioning publicly-owned transport facilities to private sector operations, focusing on infrastructure development, capacity expansion, and revenue enhancement.
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His core competencies span business strategy, change management, and team building, with proven ability to excel in dynamic environments. Curtis is a results-oriented, collaborative leader who consistently delivers service-level improvements while maintaining strong stakeholder engagement throughout complex transformation processes.​
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.
Carlo Tursi is a seasoned executive with extensive international experience in mobility, venture capital, and strategic business development across Europe, US, Middle East, and Asia. Currently serves as CEO at UrbanV, focusing on innovative air mobility solutions, while maintaining active roles as Board Member of MIT Club of Italy and Member of the Board of Advisors at Fogsphere.
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He brings deep expertise in corporate finance, operations, and strategic alliances, with a proven track record in transforming emerging mobility sectors. As an active angel investor, Carlo identifies and supports promising startups in the technology and mobility space.
His executive experience includes former roles as Board Member at Satispay, CEO of TIM Ventures, and Head of Business Development at TIM, where he drove strategic initiatives and corporate venture activities. He also served as General Manager for Italy at Uber, leading market expansion and operations during a critical growth phase.
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Carlo holds an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management, which provided the foundation for his strategic approach to business development and venture capital investments. His diverse background spans traditional telecommunications, fintech, ride-sharing, and now advanced air mobility, positioning him at the forefront of transportation innovation and digital transformation initiatives.
Transformational leader with 25+ years of expertise in change management within the air transport industry. Equally adept at strategic planning and execution, he demonstrates exceptional cost management skills and entrepreneurial drive.
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He possesses profound knowledge of customer needs in commercial and operational airline sectors, fostering innovation among team members and integrating cross-company functions through effective communication. Passionately committed to addressing aviation's sustainability challenges through innovation, technology, and smart solutions.
He graduated in Transport Engineering from the University of Padua and completed the ETP Executive Transition Program at ESMT Berlin. His career spans from Project Engineer at NET S.p.A (1997-2000) to leadership roles at Bologna and Turin airports, followed by General Director of Operations at Air Dolomiti (2009-2015).
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Since 2015, he has been Head of Airport Management at Aeroporti di Roma and serves as Chief Business Unit Aviation and Chairman of UrbanV S.p.A., developing Innovative Air Mobility solutions within the ADR Group.
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.
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.
