Ernest Huffman, a Syracuse, New York native, holds a Bachelor's in Aeronautical Science from Dowling College and a Master's in Aviation from the Florida Institute of Technology. With over 24 years of experience as an aviation consultant, he has worked nationwide, including as an airline technical representative and contributing to the development of Chicago O’Hare Airport. Currently, he serves as the Aviation Planning and Education Program Manager at the North Central Texas Council of Governments, leading initiatives in aviation education, regional planning, UAS safety, and Advanced Air Mobility integration.