Kathleen “Kat” Swain is responsible for developing and managing the UAS “Drone” programs at the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). Kat joined AOPA in March 2016. Before joining AOPA, she was vice president for Measure UAS, a technology startup providing commercial drone service to several business verticals. Prior to her work with Measure UAS, Kat worked in innovation for USAA Insurance developing and leading one of the first insurance drone operations. She held various insurance leadership positions during her 15-year tenure.
She graduated from Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and holds a Master of Science in organizational leadership from Grand Canyon University. Kat is Six Sigma trained and completed her green belt. She is a member and UAS pilot for a humanitarian drone organization, where she volunteers drone service for search and rescue operations after disasters. She is also an experienced commercial pilot and holds CFI, MEI and AGI certificates.