Ashley Hanson is the Unmanned Aviation Systems (UAS) Manager at John Deere, where she oversees the global operations of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) within the company. In this pivotal role, she is responsible for the development and implementation of comprehensive training programs, operational procedures, and policies. Ashley plays a key role in the acquisition of cutting-edge UAV technology and identifying innovative use cases, while also acting as the primary remote pilot for high-stake missions. Additionally, she supervises assets and personnel utilizing UAVs in their job function.
Before joining John Deere Global Aviation, Ashley held multiple positions as a product engineer, focusing on product verification and validation, field research using UAVs, and user experience research at John Deere Intelligent Solutions Group. Her experience prior to Deere includes being part of the flight test team for Amazon Prime Air, along with hands-on experience in production agriculture involving both livestock and crop management.
Ashley earned her B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies with minors in Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Business Administration, and Finance from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU)- Daytona Beach. She furthered her education by obtaining a M.S. in Unmanned Systems with a concentration in Aviation / Aerospace Research and Design from ERAU- Worldwide. An accomplished aviator, Ashley is an FAA-licensed Private Pilot with an Instrument Rating and holds FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot certification. She is distinguished as the youngest and first female graduate from Embry-Riddle to achieve AUVSI Trusted Operator Program (TOP) levels 1, 2, and 3 certifications. Additionally, she has co-published a research paper on leveraging unmanned aircraft to generate 3-D NDVI point clouds of HLB infected citrus trees.
Ashley is deeply passionate about the potential of unmanned systems to address the pressing challenges in food and clothing shortages. She is also an advocate for increasing the representation of women in STEM fields, particularly within aviation and agriculture.
In her personal time, Ashley enjoys relaxing in a hammock, paddleboarding, woodworking, flying her airplane, and spending time with her cats.
