Academy Leadership

Ms. Young is responsible for creating the curriculum for courses, workshops and camps.  She has a Bachelor’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering, both from Old Dominion University. She holds an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.

At Virginia Peninsula Community College (VPCC, formerly Thomas Nelson Community College) Julie is responsible for curriculum development for all courses in Mechanical Engineering Technology (since 2007) and Unmanned Systems (since 2017).  To her credit, over 300 students have graduated with an Applied Associate in Mechanical Engineering Technology.  Many have transferred to Old Dominion University to complete a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology.  She has a 100% pass rate of students taking the FAA Remote Pilot Certification Exam and has expanded the UMS Career Studies Certificate from 9 credits to 18 credits, with options for electives.  She has also developed curriculum for week-long camps and teacher workshops.

Since 2007, Daniel G Wolfe has been the Founder and Chief Executive for Universal Solutions International (USI), Newport News, VA. USI is a senior management services organization focused on maturing and transitioning new aviation concepts, manned or unmanned, enabling technologies such as electric propulsion and autonomy, and maturing flight capabilities into long term, enduring defense and civil programs. He has successfully grown USI, as a small high-tech business, to over 100 employees focused on S&T innovative applied research, test, demonstration, and commercialization for unmanned aviation, additive manufacturing, airborne C5ISR, terrestrial sensors, and advanced propulsion systems.

He is also the President of the Hampton Roads Chapter of AUVSI, a non-profit whose mission is to promote unscrewed systems across air, land, sea and space ecosystems through engagement programs with businesses, educational institutions, government and professional societies.  Recently, AUVSI hosted an Advance Air Mobility Exposition at the Hampton Roads Executive Airport, and the concept of the eAviation & Drone Academy was introduced.  Wolfe is well connected in the military and business sectors.

Recently, he has directly provided Senior leader advisement for the successful testing, demonstration, and wartime fielding of the Army Sky Warrior UAS and of the MQ-1C Gray Eagle Extended Range UAS mission systems; aircraft and associated sensor systems in support of Special Operations Forces and the Intelligence Community.  He holds a Top Secret / SCI Clearance.

Daniel Wolfe comes with a highly successful 25-year military career in Army Aviation R&D. Assignments include Attack Helicopter Company Commander, Attack/Recon Flight Test Division Chief, PM AH-64D Apache, International Apache PMO, PM Special Operations Aviation, and Director, Army Accelerated Capabilities Directorate.

Daniel Wolfe educational credentials:

• Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Master of Science in National Industrial Security
• DSMC Senior Program Management Course
• Command and General Staff College
• US Naval Experimental Test Pilot Course
• Georgia Institute of Technology, Master of Aerospace Engineering, 1992
• Army Aviation Advanced Course
• United States Military Academy, Bachelor of Science in General Engineering, 1982

Heather bring a rich background in education, including 17 years of classroom teaching experience - 11 years in a secondary science classroom and 6 years in Career & Technical Education (CTE).  Most recently, she incorporated UAS technology into Engineering III at Smithfield High School where she developed a passion for drone piloting and education.  She has coached many engineering teams at Smithfield High School, including the Aerial Drone Competition Team.

She is a licensed Virginia Department of Education teacher with endorsements in Biology, Administration/Supervision PreK-12 and Technical Education.  She is a graduate of the College of William and Mary (B.S. Biology) and Old Dominion University (M.S. Education and M.S. Educational Leadership). She has taken courses at Virginia Peninsula Community College in the Drone Flight Technician Program.

After earning her FAA Part 107 Certification in 2023, she's now on a mission to elevate learner's of all ages through hands-on drone education.