John Sawyer, a retired Air Force Chief Master Sergeant (E-9), served 30 years in roles such as Air Traffic Manager, ATC Controller, Examiner, Automation Specialist, Training Manager, Range Control Manager, Senior Enlisted Manager, and Sr. ATC Liaison to foreign militaries. In addition to managing ATC facilities and numerous operational units, he led crucial Airspace Redesign programs like the Triad Regional Fusion and the Gulf Regional Airspace Initiative.

Post-retirement, he facilitated over 200 Airspace Authorizations for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Operations for the Air Force and Special Operations Command and co-authored the USAF UAS Integration Guide. While working in the FAA from 2021-2023 as a Partnership Program Manager and Branch Manager, John managed government partnerships with companies like Amazon Prime Air and Chevron Pipeline and Power for integration of their complex UAS operations into the National Airspace System (NAS) and developed the “One-FAA Process” for emerging entrants. He also played a pivotal role in providing FAA leadership with options to enable UAS operations over High Seas and worked on U.S.-Canada cross-border UAS Working Group.

Now, John is a Sr. Principal UAS Analyst at Modern Technology Solutions Inc., supporting the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. He coordinates with Military Services and the FAA to develop UAS Traffic Management systems and policies for integrating UAS and AAM operations into the NAS.