LtCol (Ret) Warren "Bum" Rapp

LtCol (Ret) Warren "Bum" Rapp has a long and varied work experience in the military and civilian sectors. Theircareer began in 1987 when they joined the United States Marine Corps as a Marine Aviator/Air Force Pilot. During this time, they flew fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft for the Marine Corp and fixed wing large cargo aircraft and remotely piloted vehicles for the Air Force, achieving a senior pilot rating. In 2014, Rapp began work at the College of Engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno as the Business Director of NAASIC, connecting the college to the advanced technologies industry and promoting K-12 outreach, STEM education, and UAV and robotic education. At the same time, they also began work at The Nevada Institute for Autonomous Systems (NIAS) as the Northern Nevada Director of Operations & Business Development, initiating and executing UAV research and development, ground and air testing, business development, community outreach, and safety training. In 2017, Rapp joined NexTech Batteries, Inc. as the Vice President of Business Development and Government Contracts, responsible for large scale business development in the battery energy sector, overseeing and directing employee safety and human resources departments, and managing a staff of 23 employees. LtCol (Ret) Warren "Bum" also held the role of Government Contracts and Business Development, responsible for identifying government, commercial, and DOD customers that will benefit from the integration of NexTech Batteries advanced lithium sulfur battery technology into their existing or developing technologies.

LtCol (Ret) Warren "Bum" Rapp obtained a Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.) in Psychology from Brigham Young University between 1985 and 1990. In 1996, they completed a course at the Naval Postgraduate School in Aircraft Mishap investigation, Safety programs, Aerodynamics, Physics, Metallurgy, and Human Factors. In 2001, they obtained an Airline Transport Pilot certification from Riverside Aviation, L.L.C.