Meet the Team | Cobalt Academy

Meet the
team.

The operators, builders, and leaders behind Cobalt Academy. A veteran-led team closing the gap between certification and real operational capability. Field-tested. Mission-driven. Capability over hype.

Leadership

Mark Kahanding

CEO & Co-Founder · U.S. Army Field Artillery Officer

CA Army National Guard
12 Yrs Service
Combat Action Badge
FAA Part 107 · CUAS SME
Johns Hopkins M.A.

A California Army National Guard officer, FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot, and defense consultant. He is one of the first commissioned officers in the California Army National Guard to participate in the successful defeat of a hostile unmanned aircraft in combat. Mark leads Cobalt Academy's mission to bridge battlefield experience and emerging technology.

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// Section 02 Operating Team

Leadership Team

Vicky Lopez

AI Engineer

U.S. Army National Guard Veteran

AI & data solutions development
Public safety outreach
Partnership coordination
Community engagement

Christopher Bucio

UAV / UAS Operator

U.S. Army Veteran

UAV / UAS flight operations
Combat deployment, Syria
Tactical communications
Counter-UAS support

Anthony Buckler

Executive Assistant

Executive support
Research & analysis
Meeting coordination
Administrative operations

// Section 03 Governance

Advisory Board

Ralph Figueroa, M.A., CRC

Founding Chair, Advisory Board

U.S. Army Veteran

Leadership
Experience
Impact

Karina Passi, LSSBB

Advisory Board Member

U.S. Air Force Veteran

UAS avionics
Field operations
Aviation safety

Ariana Assenmacher

Strategic Alliances Advisor

Executive operations
Donor engagement
Strategic networking

Meet theteam.