FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Loren Stone

Tesla Foundation, Midwest Director

President, UAV Systems Association

Founder, Autonomy Hub

(614) 221-7731

Loren@TeslaFoundation.org

Loren@AutonomyHub.com

Tesla Foundation Announces an Education Partnership

for a Brand Standard in Unmanned Aerial Systems

with Sinclair Community College, Ohio

Subhead: Partnership Spearheaded by Loren Stone, Newly Appointed Midwest Director, Tesla Foundation Group and Founder, Autonomy Hub

Columbus, Ohio – August 31, 2016 -- Tesla Foundation Group, a non-for-profit science and technology Think Tank for the Industrial Revolution 4.0, located in Los Angeles, California, and Sinclair Community College, at the forefront of innovation, research and development in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) with its National UAS Training and Certification Center, located in Dayton, Ohio, announces a partnership in workforce development and training in the UAS industry.

This partnership provides an opportunity establishing a co-branded standard and blended curriculum in this rapidly growing industry of aviation and autonomy. This newly created workforce curriculum is an elective model that focuses on an online set of classes with a specific application. For example, ‘Intro to UAS’ and ‘UAS Legal’ with a specific application in agriculture, GIS (geographic information systems) and first responder to begin the program. This shortened program extends certificates of completion towards an individual’s career development.

“We are excited to partner with this remarkable institution and the brilliant Director for Unmanned Aerial Systems at Sinclair, Dr. Andrew Sheppard,” said Loren Stone, Midwest Director for the Tesla Foundation Group and Founder of the Autonomy Hub, Columbus, Ohio. “We see a significant demand for this type of blended program between an institutions current curriculum and an adding online set of UAS or as many reference ‘drone’ specific classes. The partnering institution then incorporates these tracks into their existing curriculum.”

Over 1.6mil drones were sold to consumers and business in the U.S. last year.
The FAA issued updated rules and regulations, part 107, in June, 2016, with implementation of Part 107 effective August 28, 2016.
The expectation for a surge in the commercialization of UAS is projected up to $80 billion over the next five to 10 years and 100,000 jobs.
The aerial data revolution is fast approaching and the future of workforce development is here with a vast shortage of educational leaders to train these individuals.
The need for capturing aerial data will ensue as well as the need of those trained in the commercial drone industry from agriculture, first responders, construction to insurers, realtors and many more.

Stone continues to coordinate the launch of the classes with Sinclair and as the release date of August 1 was reached. Stone, “I am ecstatic to be part of the commercialization of autonomous vehicles and services. I am humbled for the opportunity to contribute to rebuilding America and bringing jobs across the county as well as my home State of Ohio. This is only the beginning of things to come with our new partners. In addition, we look forward to contributing to the development initiatives with #SmartColumbus and building the model connected city for America and the world.”

About the Tesla Foundation Group: The Tesla Foundation Group is a non for profit Science and Technology Foundation that is committed through the power of research and education to create, promote, and protect American Jobs and Companies with Innovation and the steps needed for Commercialization. The Tesla Foundation Group is a 501 (c)(3) non for profit corporation. http://www.teslafoundationgroup.org

About Sinclair Community College and the National Training Center: Sinclair Community College is recognized as a national leader in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), supported by world-class partnerships, cutting edge technology, and custom training programs designed to drive the expansion of the UAS industry. Sinclair’s curriculum focuses on real-world applications of emerging UAS and sensor technologies through classroom and online instruction, simulation and hands-on vehicle operations. http://workforce.sinclair.edu/

About Loren Stone: Loren Stone, a hometown boy that returned to Columbus, Ohio in 2011 to continue his pursuits as a serial entrepreneur. With a passion for innovation and business development, he set out to be part of the revitalization of Central Ohio and creating jobs in America. The acquisition of a 68-year-old technology and logistics distributor, Murphy Company, matched up with his team’s pivot and the newly launched autonomous innovation and service company, Autonomy Hub. Stone seized the opportunity within the rapidly developing commercial drone industry receiving a coveted FAA 333 Exemption in addition to team members pursuing Part 107; establishing Murphy Company as an approved distributor for DJI, 3DR and Yuneec drone products, while establishing a partnership with the Tesla Foundation Group and securing the UAV Systems Association Headquarters at its offices in Columbus, Ohio