top of page
Journey.png

Meet AIRAVAT

From Innovation to Operational Capability

AIRAVAT brings together operator-led leadership and specialized expertise across aerospace, defense, autonomy, federal acquisition, cybersecurity, program execution, commercialization, and technology transition. Our team helps mid-market companies, global enterprises, government agencies, and defense organizations navigate complex requirements and move advanced technologies from opportunity to funded, approved, and operational capability.

Journey.png

Our Journey

Airavat was founded to close a different gap: not technology, but trust.

Great teams struggle to break into the defense ecosystem because the story isn’t clear, the proof isn’t packaged, and the right partners aren’t at the table.

 

We fix that. Our work is equal parts narrative, relationship, and disciplined follow-through.

Journey.png

Our Journey

Airavat was founded to close a different gap: not technology, but trust.

Great teams struggle to break into the defense ecosystem because the story isn’t clear, the proof isn’t packaged, and the right partners aren’t at the table.

 

We fix that. Our work is equal parts narrative, relationship, and disciplined follow-through.

Core Leadership Team

ChatGPT Image May 7, 2026, 02_12_20 PM.png

Darshan “Dash” Divakaran

President

Aerospace and Defense strategist with 15+ years leading unmanned systems, autonomy, and airspace modernization initiatives across DoD/DoW, FAA, NASA, and state agencies. Active Secret Clearance. Specializes in translating emerging technology, policy, and operational requirements into real-world mission capability and strategic impact.

ChatGPT Image May 7, 2026, 02_19_04 PM.png

Garrick "GC" Christian

Principal

26+ years of defense, flight operations, and airspace leadership (TS/SCI). Former USAF Global Hawk pilot and air traffic control leader with deep expertise in ISR, autonomy, and mission operations. Provides operationally grounded technical direction and drives dual-use programs from strategy and capture through execution and transition.

ChatGPT Image May 7, 2026, 02_24_20 PM.png

Annette Canard

Director, Program Management 

Annette Canard brings more than 20 years of federal program and acquisition experience. A certified PMP, CSM, and ITIL practitioner, she helps clients turn strategic priorities into organized, accountable programs through effective planning, procurement, governance, and execution.

Jon Karunakaran Director, Business Development

Jon Karunakaran

Director, Business Development

Jon Karunakaran is a former U.S. Navy Aviator with more than 13 years of operational leadership spanning military aviation, defense operations, and strategic engagement, connecting technical innovation with operational requirements and defense acquisition strategies.

Patrick McGinley Director, Strategic Growth

Patrick McGinley

Director, Strategic Growth

Patrick McGinley is a Former U.S. Naval Officer and federal business development executive with 18 years of experience helping defense, autonomy, law enforcement, and technology companies enter and expand within the government market.

Valissa Tate
Director, Marketing & Communications

Valissa Tate

Director, Marketing & Communications

Valissa Tate leads brand strategy, executive communications, public affairs, and stakeholder engagement across aerospace, defense, autonomy, and emerging technology. She is an FAA safety team representative and helps technical organizations communicate clearly, build trust, and strengthen visibility across government and industry.

Strategic Advisors

ChatGPT Image May 7, 2026, 03_14_33 PM.png

Alison Wyrick

Senior Advisor, Government Affairs & Commercialization 

Senior aerospace leader driving market expansion and policy for advanced aviation. Led a $1.6B R&D commercialization and AAM market program; convened 200+ policy stakeholders.

Gemini_Generated_Image_t4ger6t4ger6t4ge.png

Adam Klich

Senior Advisor, Capture Strategy & Commercialization 

Dual-use commercialization and federal business development expert who helps clients build focused opportunity pipelines and capture strategies to accelerate revenue for startups, Fortune-50 companies, and federal agencies. 

Headshot Apr 2026.png

Amisha Prakash

Capture Strategy Advisor

Amisha Prakash is an aerospace and defense capture strategist, engineer, and former startup executive with 20 years of experience across aircraft, drones, launch, and space systems. She helps dual-use companies translate technical capabilities into competitive government acquisition and funding strategies across SBIR/STTR, OTAs, IDIQs, and FAR-based procurements.

Mission Expert Network

Dr. Craig Buying.png
Craig Buying

Strategic Advisor, USAF & NATO Innovation

Dr. Craig Buying specializes in U.S. Air Force and NATO innovation. A senior coach with Project Mercury, he has supported the AFWERX Fellowship and Project Vanguard SBIR portfolio. At AIRAVAT, he helps organizations identify the right programs and champions and move technologies beyond the prototype stage.

Gemini_Generated_Image_eanlk1eanlk1eanl.png
Scherrie Kennedy

Strategic Advisor, Cybersecurity and
Accreditation (ATO, RMF, CMMC)

A cybersecurity and secure architecture expert who leverages her experience as Senior AI and Cybersecurity Officer at NATO DIANA to guide clients through ATO readiness strategy and practical compliance pathways.

Elise (2).png
Elise Schwartz McMilan

MQ-9 Ops · Intelligence · National Security

Description Needed

VZ.png
Dr. Christopher “VZ” Vasquez

Strategic Advisor, Stakeholder Alignment, Capability Positioning

Dr. Chris “VZ” Vasquez brings 17+ years of U.S. Air Force and federal civilian experience in air traffic operations, sUAS integration, and aviation safety. As a Federal Air Traffic Control Specialist and sUAS Program Manager, he supports airspace coordination, operational risk management, and regulatory compliance across government and industry.

Senior Advisors

ChatGPT Image May 7, 2026, 03_24_24 PM.png

Kevin “Omar” Bradley

 Senior Advisor, USAF & ANG

Kevin “Omar” Bradley is a Strategic Advisor to Airavat supporting Air National Guard and U.S. Air Force integration efforts. A retired General Officer and former Commander of the 174th Attack Wing, he led the transition from F-16 operations to MQ-9 Reaper missions, including the development of operational, training, and infrastructure capabilities required to support the mission. With more than 3,700 flight hours in F-16 and MQ-9 aircraft, along with over 25 years as an airline pilot, Kevin brings a rare combination of military UAS transition leadership and real-world shared airspace operations experience. He advises Airavat and its clients on operational integration, defense engagement, and the transition of emerging capabilities into sustained mission use.

ChatGPT Image May 7, 2026, 03_27_45 PM.png

C.P. Divakaran

Senior Advisor, International Flight Operations & Aviation Strategy

C.P. Divakaran serves as Senior Advisor for International Flight Operations & Aviation Strategy at Airavat, bringing more than 35 years of global aviation leadership across airline operations, flight safety, regulatory affairs, and international program management. A former Air India Deputy General Manager and B747 Chief Flight Engineer with nearly 15,000 flight hours, he has led complex international ACMI operations, airline transition programs, and regulatory coordination efforts across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and North America. His expertise spans flight operations management, aviation safety, crew operations, regulatory compliance, crisis response, and international aviation coordination, providing Airavat clients with deep operational insight and global aviation experience.

31820dfd-2838-42c8-9b91-d97966f06e09.png

Dr. Erik Kast

Strategic Advisor, Defense Innovation, Strategy, & Technology Transition

An expert in the defense innovation ecosystem, he advises founders, executives, and government leaders on navigating complex acquisition pathways and leveraging SBIR/STTR programs to successfully transition emerging technologies into operational mission capabilities.

Core Leadership Team

ChatGPT Image May 7, 2026, 02_12_20 PM.png

Darshan “Dash” Divakaran

President

Aerospace & DOW strategist w/ 15+ years leading national programs across DoD, FAA, NASA, & state agencies, turning policy & standards into real operational wins.

ChatGPT Image May 7, 2026, 02_19_04 PM.png

Garrick "GC" Christian

Principal

26+ years of defense and tech leadership (TS/SCI). Provides technical direction, brings real-world ops insight, and drives proposal-to-program execution for dual-use teams.

ChatGPT Image May 7, 2026, 02_24_20 PM.png

Annette Canard

Program Manager

15+ years of enterprise and federal program leadership (PMP, CSM, ITIL). Drives program execution, operational coordination, governance, and stakeholder alignment.

Senior Advisors

ChatGPT Image May 7, 2026, 03_24_24 PM.png

Kevin “Omar” Bradley

 Senior Advisor, USAF & ANG

Kevin “Omar” Bradley is a Strategic Advisor to Airavat supporting Air National Guard and U.S. Air Force integration efforts. A retired General Officer and former Commander of the 174th Attack Wing, he led the transition from F-16 operations to MQ-9 Reaper missions, including the development of operational, training, and infrastructure capabilities required to support the mission. With more than 3,700 flight hours in F-16 and MQ-9 aircraft, along with over 25 years as an airline pilot, Kevin brings a rare combination of military UAS transition leadership and real-world shared airspace operations experience. He advises Airavat and its clients on operational integration, defense engagement, and the transition of emerging capabilities into sustained mission use.

ChatGPT Image May 7, 2026, 03_27_45 PM.png

C.P. Divakaran

Senior Advisor, International Flight Operations & Aviation Strategy

C.P. Divakaran serves as Senior Advisor for International Flight Operations & Aviation Strategy at Airavat, bringing more than 35 years of global aviation leadership across airline operations, flight safety, regulatory affairs, and international program management. A former Air India Deputy General Manager and B747 Chief Flight Engineer with nearly 15,000 flight hours, he has led complex international ACMI operations, airline transition programs, and regulatory coordination efforts across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and North America. His expertise spans flight operations management, aviation safety, crew operations, regulatory compliance, crisis response, and international aviation coordination, providing Airavat clients with deep operational insight and global aviation experience.

Core Leadership Team

ChatGPT Image May 7, 2026, 02_12_20 PM.png

Darshan “Dash” Divakaran

President

Aerospace and Defense strategist with 15+ years leading unmanned systems, autonomy, and airspace modernization initiatives across DoD/DoW, FAA, NASA, and state agencies. Active Secret Clearance. Specializes in translating emerging technology, policy, and operational requirements into real-world mission capability and strategic impact.

ChatGPT Image May 7, 2026, 02_19_04 PM.png

Garrick "GC" Christian

Principal

26+ years of defense, flight operations, and airspace leadership (TS/SCI). Former USAF Global Hawk pilot and air traffic control leader with deep expertise in ISR, autonomy, and mission operations. Provides operationally grounded technical direction and drives dual-use programs from strategy and capture through execution and transition.

ChatGPT Image May 7, 2026, 02_24_20 PM.png

Annette Canard

Program Director

Annette Canard brings more than 20 years of federal program and acquisition experience. A certified PMP, CSM, and ITIL practitioner, she helps clients turn strategic priorities into organized, accountable programs through effective planning, procurement, governance, and execution.

Jon.png

Jon Karunakaran

Director, Business Development

Jon Karunakaran is a former U.S. Navy Aviator with more than 13 years of operational leadership spanning military aviation, defense operations, and strategic engagement, connecting technical innovation with operational requirements and defense acquisition strategies.

Patrick.png

Patrick McGinley

Director, Strategic Growth

Patrick McGinley is a Former U.S. Naval Officer and federal business development executive with 18 years of experience helping defense, autonomy, law enforcement, and technology companies enter and expand within the government market.

Valissa.png

Valissa Tate

Director, Marketing & Communications

Valissa Tate leads brand strategy, executive communications, public affairs, and stakeholder engagement across aerospace, defense, autonomy, and emerging technology. She is an FAA safety team representative and helps technical organizations communicate clearly, build trust, and strengthen visibility across government and industry.

Senior Advisors

ChatGPT Image May 7, 2026, 03_24_24 PM.png

Kevin “Omar” Bradley

 Senior Advisor, USAF & ANG

Kevin “Omar” Bradley is a Strategic Advisor to Airavat supporting Air National Guard and U.S. Air Force integration efforts. A retired General Officer and former Commander of the 174th Attack Wing, he led the transition from F-16 operations to MQ-9 Reaper missions, including the development of operational, training, and infrastructure capabilities required to support the mission. With more than 3,700 flight hours in F-16 and MQ-9 aircraft, along with over 25 years as an airline pilot, Kevin brings a rare combination of military UAS transition leadership and real-world shared airspace operations experience. He advises Airavat and its clients on operational integration, defense engagement, and the transition of emerging capabilities into sustained mission use.

ChatGPT Image May 7, 2026, 03_27_45 PM.png

C.P. Divakaran

Senior Advisor, International Flight Operations & Aviation Strategy

C.P. Divakaran serves as Senior Advisor for International Flight Operations & Aviation Strategy at Airavat, bringing more than 35 years of global aviation leadership across airline operations, flight safety, regulatory affairs, and international program management. A former Air India Deputy General Manager and B747 Chief Flight Engineer with nearly 15,000 flight hours, he has led complex international ACMI operations, airline transition programs, and regulatory coordination efforts across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and North America. His expertise spans flight operations management, aviation safety, crew operations, regulatory compliance, crisis response, and international aviation coordination, providing Airavat clients with deep operational insight and global aviation experience.

ChatGPT Image May 7, 2026, 03_50_43 PM.png

Nicole Ramsey

Operations Coordinator

5+ years supporting aerospace, public safety, and emerging technology initiatives through operations coordination, public safety outreach, and program support.

ChatGPT Image May 7, 2026, 03_14_33 PM.png

Alison Wyrick

Government Affairs Lead

Senior aerospace leader driving market expansion and policy for advanced aviation. Led a $1.6B R&D commercialization and AAM market program; convened 200+ policy stakeholders.

SME.png

SME Bench

Contractors

Vetted experts on call for complex missions - C-UAS, EW, spectrum/RF, FAA certification & safety, cyber (ATO, FedRAMP, Distributed Ledger Tech), Flight Testing, and GovCon legal.  This team is plugged in to accelerate approvals and de-risk delivery.

ChatGPT Image May 7, 2026, 03_50_43 PM.png

Nicole Ramsey

Operations Coordinator

5+ years supporting aerospace, public safety, and emerging technology initiatives through operations coordination, public safety outreach, and program support.

ChatGPT Image May 7, 2026, 03_14_33 PM.png

Alison Wyrick

Government Affairs Lead

Senior aerospace leader driving market expansion and policy for advanced aviation. Led a $1.6B R&D commercialization and AAM market program; convened 200+ policy stakeholders.

Gemini_Generated_Image_t4ger6t4ger6t4ge.png

Adam Klich

Capture Lead

Dual-use commercialization and federal business development expert who helps clients build focused opportunity pipelines and capture strategies to accelerate revenue for startups, Fortune-50 companies, and federal agencies. 

SME.png

SME Bench

Contractors

Vetted experts on call for complex missions - C-UAS, EW, spectrum/RF, FAA certification & safety, cyber (ATO, FedRAMP, Distributed Ledger Tech), Flight Testing, and GovCon legal.  This team is plugged in to accelerate approvals and de-risk delivery.

Our values

We help small businesses earn trust and build enduring partnerships. That means clear stories, disciplined execution, and relationships that last.

Our values

We help small businesses earn trust and build enduring partnerships. That means clear stories, disciplined execution, and relationships that last.

Our Values

We help small businesses earn trust and build enduring partnerships. That means clear stories, disciplined execution, and relationships that last.

  • Integrity

  • People

  • Velocity

  • Flexibility

  • Vision

  • Integrity

  • People

  • Velocity

  • Flexibility

  • Vision

  • Integrity

  • People

  • Velocity

  • Flexibility

  • Vision

This Is Us In Numbers

$100M

Client Award Wins

10+

Graduate Degrees and Certifications

68+

Combined Years of Experience

5

Industry Awards

This Is Us In Numbers

$100M

Client Award Wins

10+

Graduate Degrees and Certifications

68+

Combined Years of Experience

5

Industry Awards

This Is Us In Numbers

$100M

Client Award Wins

10+

Graduate Degrees & Certifications

68+

Combined Years of Experience

5

Industry Awards

Let's Make It Real

From plan to program

bottom of page