The Commercial Drone Alliance (CDA) announced the appointment of Liz Forro as the organization’s Policy Director. Liz will work closely with the CDA’s membership, government partners and other relevant stakeholders to advocate for policies that facilitate the scalable and safe use of commercial uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS).
Liz is a seasoned policy leader with a proven track record in coalition-building, aviation policymaking, and enabling new entrants. She has held key roles at the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) UAS Integration Office and most recently, the Office of Rulemaking. During her time at the FAA, Liz played a key role in advancing drone and emerging entrant integration policy, providing strategic advice on regulatory decisions and building bridges between FAA leadership and technical subject matter experts both within the FAA and the commercial drone industry.
In addition to her more than ten years with the FAA, Liz served as an aviation subject matter expert to the U.S. House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, helping aviation subcommittee staff draft, negotiate, and successfully pass the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024.
“It’s an exciting yet pivotal time for the commercial drone industry. While some progress has been made to increase operational capacity, ongoing policy delays continue to hinder technological advancements and domestic manufacturing, ultimately depriving the American public of fully benefiting from the potential of commercial drones—whether it’s fighting wildfires, inspecting critical infrastructure, or delivering aid to remote areas,” said Lisa Ellman, Executive Director of the Commercial Drone Alliance. “We are thrilled to welcome Liz to the CDA team. Her extensive policy expertise and deep understanding of the regulatory landscape will be invaluable as we work to advance regulations and legislation that enable the safe integration of commercial drones into the National Airspace.”
“I’m thrilled to be joining the Commercial Drone Alliance and supporting its critical work in advancing policies that continue to grow the commercial drone industry and provide the societal benefits Americans deserve,” said Liz Forro, Policy Director of the Commercial Drone Alliance. “This is an exciting phase in aviation history, and the CDA’s members are at the forefront of this change. Collaboration between industry and policymakers is essential to addressing legacy regulatory barriers and ensuring the safe and widespread adoption of this transformative technology. Establishing the right policy frameworks will lay the groundwork for a safer, more secure and more efficient airspace.”
