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.
Core Leadership Team
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Business Development
and
Operations
Julia Urieta
Business Operations Associate
Julia supports AIRAVAT’s program management and business development teams through client coordination, CRM management, opportunity tracking and day-to-day business operations. She also contributes to AIRAVAT’s North Carolina initiatives and international business development efforts, helping maintain organized processes and consistent follow-through.
Jason R. Anderson
Business Development Manager
Jason supports AIRAVAT’s business development efforts, with a focus on New York and opportunities across government, aerospace, defense and emerging technology markets. He builds strategic relationships, identifies funded opportunities, advances teaming and helps turn qualified opportunities into sustainable client growth.
Strategic Advisors
Amisha Prakash
Federal Capture & Strategic Growth
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.
Frank Purdy
Defense & National Security
Frank brings more than 47 years of experience across U.S. national security operations, technology development and business strategy, including service in the U.S. Air Force and work supporting DARPA. He connects government mission requirements with commercial and dual-use technologies that address operational capability gaps.
Ashish Bagai
Advanced Aircraft & VTOL Technologies
Ashish brings more than 30 years of experience across industry, academia and government, specializing in vertical and subsonic flight technologies, aircraft design, performance and operational concepts. He designed the rotor for the award-winning Sikorsky X2, served as a DARPA program manager and advises AIRAVAT clients on advanced manned and unmanned aircraft development.
Kevin "Omar" Bradley
USAF & Air National Guard
Kevin “Omar” Bradley is a retired General Officer and former Commander of the 174th Attack Wing, where he led its transition from F-16s to MQ-9 Reapers. With 3,700+ military flight hours and 25+ years as an airline pilot, he advises AIRAVAT on Air Force integration, shared-airspace operations, and defense engagement.
C.P. Divakaran
International Flight Operations & Aviation Strategy
C.P. Divakaran brings 35+ years of global aviation leadership and nearly 15,000 flight hours as a former Air India Deputy General Manager and B747 Chief Flight Engineer. His experience spans international ACMI operations and airline transitions across four continents. He advises AIRAVAT on flight operations, aviation safety, regulatory coordination, and international strategy.
Subject Matter Network
Dr. Craig Buying
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.
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Elise Schwartz McMilan
ISR & MQ-9 Operations
Elise McMillan brings extensive experience across national security, intelligence, aviation and complex operations through leadership roles with the FBI and New York Air National Guard. An FBI Special Agent, MQ-9 pilot and Assistant Director of Operations, she advises AIRAVAT clients on interagency coordination, operational planning, process improvement, UAS risk and high-consequence decision-making.
Dr. Christopher “VZ” Vasquez
Airspace & UAS Operations
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.
Dr. Erik Kast
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
Senior Advisors
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.
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
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.
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.
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 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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Integrity
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People
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Velocity
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Flexibility
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Vision
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Integrity
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People
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Velocity
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Flexibility
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Vision
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Integrity
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People
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Velocity
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Flexibility
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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