Chris also leads Hillwood’s efforts in advanced air mobility as part of the AllianceTexas Mobility Innovation Zone (MIZ)—a groundbreaking ecosystem designed to support the testing, scaling, and commercialization of next-generation mobility technologies. His leadership has attracted top-tier unmanned aerial systems (UAS) companies, including Fortune 100 firms and Tier 1 research universities. He has forged strategic partnerships across the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) sector, collaborating with civic and federal agencies to shape the future of aviation.
Under his direction, the MIZ has contributed to national advancements in UAS integration, including a recent partnership with a global corporation to conduct flight testing in support of NASA’s ISO testing initiatives. The data collected supports the development of standards, regulations, and FAA certification protocols.
Chris began his aviation career with Hillwood in 1996 at Fort Worth Alliance Airport—the world’s first industrial airport—as a Line Operations Specialist. He quickly advanced to Lead Operations Specialist, then General Manager of Airport & FBO Operations, and later served as Senior Vice President of Aviation Business Development, where he successfully grew the airport’s aviation services into a world-class operation.
A Texas native and graduate of Tarrant County College, Chris also serves on the North Central Texas Council of Governments as a member of the North Texas Safety and Integration Task Force.