Casandra Hurd
Outreach Committee Chair
Casandra Hurd is a seasoned aviation professional in Albuquerque, NM, with over 14 years of experience in air traffic control, research and development, test and evaluation, and program management. With a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics from the University of North Dakota and a Master of Science in Unmanned Systems (UAS) from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Casandra combines technical expertise with her passion for emerging technologies.
Her career highlights include serving as an air traffic control specialist with the FAA for 12+ years in both terminal and enroute facilities. She also played key roles in research and development projects for NASA and on federal contract, including a UAS flight planning software for low-reliability GNSS areas, designing advanced systems for UAS and ground-based equipment, and integrating weather-based tools into the test and evaluation environment. She is currently a Program Manager with the U.S. Air Force, working on an aviation related defense portfolio. Her contributions support critical federal initiatives and showcase her ability to bridge technical expertise with practical solutions.
Casandra loves to share her passion for aviation with others. She is continuing her education with hopes of expanding her ability to empower the next generation of leaders while continuing to make meaningful contributions to the industry.