John Franz
John Franz is a Project Manager III of Operations, Testing and Evaluation (OTE) for the Autonomy Research Institute (ARI) at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. In this role, John applies a “safety first, mission always” approach through his extensive operational acumen, project management expertise, and transformational leadership to ARI’s growing autonomous systems market share across all functional domains. John synchronizes day-to-day operations, serves as a mission coordinator, and collaborates with key stakeholders to manage ARIs testing and research tasks while providing state assets to support real world contingencies.
John is a recently retired Army Senior Aviator and UH-60 Blackhawk Pilot-In-Command, a CH-47 Pilot, and a combat veteran. John has credentialed executive experience as an Army Command Inspector General and as a managing director at Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD). He also worked as a chief executive officer commanding the U.S. Army Aviation Battalion Japan, which won the 2019 Battalion All Army Safety Award. John’s experience as a project manager for the Army Joint Test Element (AJTE) working on cruise missile defense and cyber insider threat strategic defense projects brings considerable depth to the growing ARI team.
John holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with an Aerospace focus from the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point. He also holds a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from Webster University and a Master’s in Strategic Studies (MSS) from Air University (Air War College). John also holds an FAA Commercial/Instrument Rotorcraft Certificate. John likes all things aviation and enjoys metal detecting, traveling, and fishing in his spare time.
John is a recently retired Army Senior Aviator and UH-60 Blackhawk Pilot-In-Command, a CH-47 Pilot, and a combat veteran. John has credentialed executive experience as an Army Command Inspector General and as a managing director at Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD). He also worked as a chief executive officer commanding the U.S. Army Aviation Battalion Japan, which won the 2019 Battalion All Army Safety Award. John’s experience as a project manager for the Army Joint Test Element (AJTE) working on cruise missile defense and cyber insider threat strategic defense projects brings considerable depth to the growing ARI team.
John holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with an Aerospace focus from the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point. He also holds a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from Webster University and a Master’s in Strategic Studies (MSS) from Air University (Air War College). John also holds an FAA Commercial/Instrument Rotorcraft Certificate. John likes all things aviation and enjoys metal detecting, traveling, and fishing in his spare time.