Jonathan Herman

Mr. Jonathan Herman serves as the Manager of the UAS and Counter-UAS (C-UAS) Security Group within the FAA's System Operations Security organization.

Over the course of more than 20 years in aviation, Mr. Herman has established himself as a leading authority in C-UAS operations and policy. As a C-UAS Program Manager, he has led the planning and execution of nationwide C-UAS deployments in close partnership with the Departments of Homeland Security, Justice, War, and Energy, strengthening the federal government's ability to address emerging UAS threats.

A recognized leader in national security policy, Mr. Herman served as the FAA's representative on the White House Task Force responsible for developing the C-UAS Master Plan, which established interagency roles and responsibilities for securing the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Most recently, his team deployed across all 11 host cities, overseeing airspace security and deconfliction efforts for matches, fan zones, and team base camps. The operation successfully identified and mitigated hundreds of unauthorized UAS activities, coordinated with hundreds of operators, and supported numerous law enforcement actions, demonstrating the effectiveness of a coordinated federal approach to protecting one of the world's largest sporting events.

Mr. Herman regularly advises senior FAA leadership during White House National Security Council deliberations, helping shape national C-UAS policy in support of Presidential Executive Orders, regulatory initiatives, and emerging security priorities. By maintaining close awareness of rapidly evolving UAS and C-UAS technologies, he positions the FAA to anticipate and address future threats to our National Airspace System (NAS).

An internationally recognized subject matter expert, Mr. Herman frequently represents the FAA at global aviation security forums and collaborates with North American partners on securing shared borders. He participated in the inaugural ICAO Counter-UAS Workshop in Kraków, Poland, where government and industry leaders collaborated on strategies to detect, deter, and respond to unmanned aircraft threats to commercial aviation.

Mr. Herman also represents the FAA at the Department of State's International Security Events Group (ISEG), providing expertise in security planning and C-UAS operations for International Special Security Events (ISSEs). His work supports major international events, including the Munich Security Conference, the upcoming FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil, and the Pan and Parapan American Games in Lima, Peru.

Mr. Herman brings a unique combination of operational, technical, engineering, and program management expertise to the FAA's security mission. His experience includes combat service as a U.S. Army veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, followed by service as an Air National Guard Radar Approach Controller, providing him with a strong operational foundation that continues to inform his leadership in protecting the NAS.