Aaron Pierce founded Pierce Aerospace out of grad school and quickly dove into the world of unmanned aircraft systems. He started in aviation in 2006 when he joined a volunteer organization that restored and operated UH-1H Huey helicopters for educational and veteran events. He gained valuable experience as a flight crew-member, which eventually. lead him to write UAS policy & operations manuals.. He received his BA in English from Indiana University and studied Geographic Information Science (GIS) and Remote Sensing in grad school. He also taught Earth-Space science at the University of Indianapolis. Pierce interned in a PR role with Rally America while in college and later worked PR/Marketing for rally car racing teams, including leading a campaign to the X Games in Los Angeles.. As a volunteer EMT and security professional in college, he gained valuable experience working alongside EMS and law enforcement; including their aviation components. Pierce is a professional photographer and has studied under Magnum/National Geographic photographers and taught photography in an afterschool youth program with College Mentors for Kids. He has served on the Stutz Artists Association Board of Directors and oversaw and curated several large projects, including an art exhibition celebrating the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500.. In 2018 he served as an Entrepreneur in Residence for the Techstars US Air Force Accelerator, the first-ever joint US Government and private sector startup accelerator.
