James H. Williams

As the Founder and President of JHW Unmanned Solutions LLC., Jim Williams advises his clients on issues related to aircraft and space operations with specific emphasis on all things related to Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)—a.k.a. drones.

With over 30 years of experience in the Aerospace sector, Williams recently served as Manager of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) UAS Integration Office at the Department of Transportation. This office functions as the single agency focal point for all UAS-related activities and is uniquely positioned to develop and coordinate solutions to UAS challenges across the FAA and with external organizations.

UAS are often described as the most disruptive aviation technology since the invention of the jet engine and the FAA’s UAS Integration Office has the daunting challenge of accomplishing the safe, efficient and timely integration of this technology into the National Airspace System (NAS), while balancing the political pressure and economic needs of the nation. In early 2015, Williams testified before the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology on UAS integration issues.

As the Director of Engineering Services in the FAA’s NextGen Organization, Williams led the coordination and integration of all systems engineering work needed to move the NAS toward NextGen. In addition, led the organization tasked with lifecycle management of all FAA communications systems and the implementation of the Safety Management System in the Technical Operations Service Unit. He has worked with the FAA Command Center to transition personnel into the Air Traffic Organization, directed the team that developed, procured and installed all air/ground communications services for the FAA, and led the team that designed, procured and fielded the FAA’s prototype Air/Ground Data Link Communications System. Williams also led the FAA Team that negotiated with other federal agencies to create a second civil GPS frequency.

Prior to joining the FAA, Williams was a flight test engineer and a production liaison engineer for Lockheed Georgia Company’s C5, C-141 and C-130 programs. He also worked for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in Mission Control during the initial flights of the US Space Shuttle.

Williams holds a BS in Aerospace Engineering, with Honors from the Georgia Institute of Technology.