Tom “Tommy” K. Kenville - Chairman
Mr. Kenville has served several roles throughout an impressive career - businessman, entrepreneur, consultant, investor, fundraiser and mentor. The common denominator is success achieved in the ability to translate innovative ideas into lucrative business opportunities. Skilled in communication and in forming strong alliances, Kenville has raised over $20 million in equity, debt and investment over the last decade.
Kenville has founded three companies; T-Kort LLC, a property development company; Tglobal, a consulting logistics and warehouse business, and most recently, the Unmanned Applications Institute International (UAI), the first Institute for research, testing and consulting in the emerging unmanned aerial vehicle industry. Kenville’s interest in aviation was formed earlier in his career, after spending fifteen years with the University of North Dakota Aerospace Foundation (UNDAF) where he formed strategic alliances and secured major contracts as Vice President of Business Development. The past and present came together when Kenville formed The North Dakota Airspace Integration Team which ensures alignment of UAI concerns across State and Federal programs.
In addition to his work with the UAI, Kenville was a founding member of the Great Plains Chapter of AUVSI, a collaborator with the International Aerial Robotics Competition, is a Managing Member of University Hotel Development LLC, and serves as Rainmaker and Vice President of Development through a consulting contract with the Center of Innovation. He is active on Advisory boards for Dakota Venture Group, Robotics Alley, and Skyskopes and supports entrepreneurism by mentoring and judging business plans through Innovate ND and Idea Fest in Northwest Minnesota. He is currently invested in 17 startup companies and has assisted with the launching of funds in North Dakota and Minnesota. Kenville is a graduate and avid supporter of the University of North Dakota.
Douglas McDonald - Director of Special Projects
Doug McDonald has more than 25 years of applied research, planning and development experience focusing on strategic development, unmanned systems, socio-economics and demography. He is a sociologist and holds an undergraduate and graduate degree from the University of North Dakota. Doug’s consulting experience includes assignments in unmanned systems, aerospace, value-added agriculture, information technology, and manufacturing.
He has co-authored many significant reports, including:
Doug currently serves as President of the Great Plains Chapter of Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International. The Great Plains Chapter of AUVSI works to enhance the effectiveness and overall application of unmanned technology through warehousing the best practices of safety; These efforts are realized through a collaboration between UAS airframe and sensor manufacturers, end users and government - that will help drive the development and use of future unmanned systems by including “Safety Best Practices” that begin with the design phase of a system and continue all the way to its operational employment.
McDonald has been appointed by Sen. John Hoeven, Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, Congressman Kevin Cramer, and Governor Jack Dalrymple to serve on the North Dakota Airspace Integration Team. The team provides ongoing leadership in the integration of unmanned aerial systems into the national airspace and the impact this will have on civilian manned flight in the state of North Dakota.
Adam Overvold - Chief Pilot, UAS Flight Operations & Training
Adam Overvold, coming from Fargo, ND first acquired his passion for flying on a young eagles flight in Boy Scouts. Adam attended the University of North Dakota, where he graduated with a degree in Aviation Management, and Unmanned Aircraft Systems in the Spring of 2015. Adam worked for Altavian, as an Operator in the Midwest for the growing season of 2015 where he accumulated 112 hrs on the NOVA 6500 in just a few short months. Adam left Altavian in January of 2016 to work for UAI as the Chief Pilot.
Nate Leben – UAS Flight Operations & Training (iSight RPV Services Affiliate)
Nate Leben, a University of North Dakota commercial aviation graduate, has been in the aviation industry for over 15 years with more than 9 years specifically pertaining to UAS as an instructor and evaluator pilot for General Atomics. A strong advocate for safe and effective UAS operation in the NAS, he brings real-life experience operating in congested airspace amongst other unmanned and manned aircraft that he learned while flying in different areas throughout the United States and in theater - to include Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa and others. Since graduating from UND, Nate has gone on to finish his Master of Arts in Diplomacy with a focus in International Conflict Management. He also served honorably in the Air National Guard for over 10 years.
Nate currently holds a Commercial Pilot – Glider; Airplane SEL & Sea; ME Land; Instrument Airplane and a Flight Instructor - Airplane Single Engine; Instrument Airplane rating and has held various clearances working for a diverse group of customers, both military and non-military.
Adam Lingwall – UAS Flight Operations & Training (iSight RPV Services Affiliate)
Adam Lingwall is a University of Minnesota Aerospace Engineering graduate with nine years of product development experience. Having worked in a range of industries, he’s established a broad expertise in data analysis, product development methodologies, and project management principles. Specifically, he’s worked on the development of jet engine exhaust nozzles, industrial gas turbine engines, and high horsepower agricultural tractors.
Adam also served for three years in the Minnesota Air National Guard as an avionics and control specialist, where he learned the theory and operation of military aircraft avionics systems. In addition to his undergraduate education and professional experience, Adam has also completed a Master of Business Administration degree at the University of San Diego with a dual emphasis in finance and international business.
Courtney Bateman - Legal Counsel
Courtney Bateman is a North Dakota native and a graduate of the UND Aviation Program. He has been involved in aviation law his entire career, which began at the FAA following law school. He represents airlines, manufacturers and operators in civil litigation and in regulatory enforcement actions. Courtney is currently working with a number of UAS operators and manufacturers with regard to Section 333 exemptions and related matters.
Mr. Kenville has served several roles throughout an impressive career - businessman, entrepreneur, consultant, investor, fundraiser and mentor. The common denominator is success achieved in the ability to translate innovative ideas into lucrative business opportunities. Skilled in communication and in forming strong alliances, Kenville has raised over $20 million in equity, debt and investment over the last decade.
Kenville has founded three companies; T-Kort LLC, a property development company; Tglobal, a consulting logistics and warehouse business, and most recently, the Unmanned Applications Institute International (UAI), the first Institute for research, testing and consulting in the emerging unmanned aerial vehicle industry. Kenville’s interest in aviation was formed earlier in his career, after spending fifteen years with the University of North Dakota Aerospace Foundation (UNDAF) where he formed strategic alliances and secured major contracts as Vice President of Business Development. The past and present came together when Kenville formed The North Dakota Airspace Integration Team which ensures alignment of UAI concerns across State and Federal programs.
In addition to his work with the UAI, Kenville was a founding member of the Great Plains Chapter of AUVSI, a collaborator with the International Aerial Robotics Competition, is a Managing Member of University Hotel Development LLC, and serves as Rainmaker and Vice President of Development through a consulting contract with the Center of Innovation. He is active on Advisory boards for Dakota Venture Group, Robotics Alley, and Skyskopes and supports entrepreneurism by mentoring and judging business plans through Innovate ND and Idea Fest in Northwest Minnesota. He is currently invested in 17 startup companies and has assisted with the launching of funds in North Dakota and Minnesota. Kenville is a graduate and avid supporter of the University of North Dakota.
Douglas McDonald - Director of Special Projects
Doug McDonald has more than 25 years of applied research, planning and development experience focusing on strategic development, unmanned systems, socio-economics and demography. He is a sociologist and holds an undergraduate and graduate degree from the University of North Dakota. Doug’s consulting experience includes assignments in unmanned systems, aerospace, value-added agriculture, information technology, and manufacturing.
He has co-authored many significant reports, including:
- “Aerospace: An Industry Sector Poised for Flight” for the Aerospace Power Group of the New Economy Initiative – North Dakota.
- “UAV Business Development Roadmap” for the Office of Economic Adjustment and the Grand Forks (ND) Region EDC.
- “Community Base Enhancement Initiatives: Next Generation Collaborative Development Strategies for the Grand Forks Region and the Grand Forks Air Force Base” for the GF Base Realignment Impact Committee.
- "Feasibility Analysis for a Sensor Test Range" for Grand Forks County, ND.
- "Follow-Feasibility Analysis for a Sensor Development, Test and Training Range" for Grand Forks County, ND.
- "Inventory of UAS-Related Assets for the State of Michigan" for Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
Doug currently serves as President of the Great Plains Chapter of Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International. The Great Plains Chapter of AUVSI works to enhance the effectiveness and overall application of unmanned technology through warehousing the best practices of safety; These efforts are realized through a collaboration between UAS airframe and sensor manufacturers, end users and government - that will help drive the development and use of future unmanned systems by including “Safety Best Practices” that begin with the design phase of a system and continue all the way to its operational employment.
McDonald has been appointed by Sen. John Hoeven, Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, Congressman Kevin Cramer, and Governor Jack Dalrymple to serve on the North Dakota Airspace Integration Team. The team provides ongoing leadership in the integration of unmanned aerial systems into the national airspace and the impact this will have on civilian manned flight in the state of North Dakota.
Adam Overvold - Chief Pilot, UAS Flight Operations & Training
Adam Overvold, coming from Fargo, ND first acquired his passion for flying on a young eagles flight in Boy Scouts. Adam attended the University of North Dakota, where he graduated with a degree in Aviation Management, and Unmanned Aircraft Systems in the Spring of 2015. Adam worked for Altavian, as an Operator in the Midwest for the growing season of 2015 where he accumulated 112 hrs on the NOVA 6500 in just a few short months. Adam left Altavian in January of 2016 to work for UAI as the Chief Pilot.
Nate Leben – UAS Flight Operations & Training (iSight RPV Services Affiliate)
Nate Leben, a University of North Dakota commercial aviation graduate, has been in the aviation industry for over 15 years with more than 9 years specifically pertaining to UAS as an instructor and evaluator pilot for General Atomics. A strong advocate for safe and effective UAS operation in the NAS, he brings real-life experience operating in congested airspace amongst other unmanned and manned aircraft that he learned while flying in different areas throughout the United States and in theater - to include Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa and others. Since graduating from UND, Nate has gone on to finish his Master of Arts in Diplomacy with a focus in International Conflict Management. He also served honorably in the Air National Guard for over 10 years.
Nate currently holds a Commercial Pilot – Glider; Airplane SEL & Sea; ME Land; Instrument Airplane and a Flight Instructor - Airplane Single Engine; Instrument Airplane rating and has held various clearances working for a diverse group of customers, both military and non-military.
Adam Lingwall – UAS Flight Operations & Training (iSight RPV Services Affiliate)
Adam Lingwall is a University of Minnesota Aerospace Engineering graduate with nine years of product development experience. Having worked in a range of industries, he’s established a broad expertise in data analysis, product development methodologies, and project management principles. Specifically, he’s worked on the development of jet engine exhaust nozzles, industrial gas turbine engines, and high horsepower agricultural tractors.
Adam also served for three years in the Minnesota Air National Guard as an avionics and control specialist, where he learned the theory and operation of military aircraft avionics systems. In addition to his undergraduate education and professional experience, Adam has also completed a Master of Business Administration degree at the University of San Diego with a dual emphasis in finance and international business.
Courtney Bateman - Legal Counsel
Courtney Bateman is a North Dakota native and a graduate of the UND Aviation Program. He has been involved in aviation law his entire career, which began at the FAA following law school. He represents airlines, manufacturers and operators in civil litigation and in regulatory enforcement actions. Courtney is currently working with a number of UAS operators and manufacturers with regard to Section 333 exemptions and related matters.
