ECS announced it has hired former National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration official and unmanned aircraft systems expert Philip Kenul.
Kenul, a former NOAA Corps rear admiral with more than 30 years of experience at the agency, is joining ECS’ science and engineering division and will consult on projects serving NOAA.
A Navy-trained pilot, Kenul served as a NOAA hurricane hunter with NOAA, responsible for maneuvering P-3 maritime surveillance aircraft into the eyewalls of hurricanes to collect meteorological data to improve the accuracy of predicting tropical storms.
During his time with the agency, Kenul was named the first director of NOAA’s Homeland Security Office and later assumed command of NOAA’s Aircraft Operations Center.
At ECS, Kenul will support NOAA’s Office of Marine and Aviation Operations, developing policies and procedures for the safe implementation of agency-independent unmanned aviation operations. His areas of responsibility will include research, strategic development, and project management, ECS said.
“The data gathered through scientific research at NOAA is fundamental to our nation’s security and stability,” Kenul said. “I am honored to join this talented team of scientists and engineers at ECS, and to continue to serve and support NOAA’s mission.”
George Wilson, ECS president, said: “Our commitment to being on the forefront of scientific research for the common good prompts us to strengthen our relationships with important federal customers like NOAA. We are honored to welcome Phil, a celebrated leader in aviation, environmental research, and UAS standards.”
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