Justin Selfridge, PhD, is Founder and CEO of Devorto Corporation. Devorto is developing a breakthrough high-altitude platform called the Tethered Uni-Rotor Network, or TURN—a completely new aircraft architecture designed to combine the vertical lift and loitering capability of a helicopter with the aerodynamic efficiency of an airplane, enabling long-duration, solar-powered flight in the stratosphere.

At Devorto, leads the development of this next-generation persistent drone technology. Backed by both private investment and government support from organizations like NASA, the U.S. Air Force, and the U.S. Space Force, Justin and his team are working to redefine how we think about high-altitude operations, with the potential to disrupt both satellite and traditional aerial platform markets.

In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Justin talks about why the stratosphere is such a critical domain for future aviation systems, how the TURN platform works and what makes it different from anything we've seen before, and the real-world applications and impact this technology could have across commercial and defense sectors.

Federico Borsari is a Non-Resident Fellow with the Transatlantic Defense and Security Program at the Center for European Policy Analysis, or CEPA for short. The Center for European Policy Analysis is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy institution headquartered in Washington, DC, with hubs in London and Brussels. The organization focuses on strengthening the transatlantic alliance through research, analysis, and programs. CEPA provides insight on trends affecting democracy, security, and defense to government officials and agencies, helps transatlantic businesses navigate changing strategic landscapes, and builds networks of future leaders committed to transatlantic cooperation.

At CEPA, Federico focuses on issues at the intersection of technology and international security, with particular emphasis on unmanned systems and autonomy. His work also covers NATO and transatlantic defense and security. He has authored several analyses and publications on the use and security implications of unmanned aerial systems by both state and non-state actors, and recently co-authored the first-ever report on drone warfare and its implications for NATO.

Federico previously served as a Pan-European Fellow and later a Visiting Fellow with the European Council on Foreign Relations, and until October 2021 he worked as an analyst and project officer at the International Institute for International Political Studies in Milan, where he also helped organize the last three editions of the Mediterranean Dialogues Conference.

He holds a BA in History from the University of Modena and an MA in International Relations and Strategic Studies from the University of Bologna. He also earned a second MA in Middle Eastern Studies from the Catholic University in Milan, and conducted fieldwork in Iraqi Kurdistan for a research project on the institutionalization and depoliticization of the Peshmarga.

Federico is a frequent commentator on defense and drone technology in national and international media, and he regularly participates in conferences on defense technology and the use of drones.

In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Federico talks about how uncrewed systems are being used in the Arctic, and the challenges and opportunities they present for security, monitoring, and protecting critical infrastructure in this increasingly strategic region.

Melissa Swisher is Chief Revenue Officer at SkySafe, a company delivering the intelligence organizations need to detect, analyze, and act in today's increasingly complex airspace environment.

SkySafe specializes in airspace intelligence — providing real-time drone detection, analytics, and forensic capabilities that help organizations determine whether a drone is authorized, where it originated, how it's flying, and in some cases, who is operating it. The company works with state agencies, public safety organizations, and major event operators to bring greater visibility and accountability to the skies above critical infrastructure and large public gatherings.

As Chief Revenue Officer, Melissa leads SkySafe's strategic partnerships and revenue growth initiatives, helping expand the company's footprint across government and commercial markets. She brings extensive C-level experience, having played key roles in two successful IPOs — SuccessFactors and Castlight Health — as well as multiple strategic acquisitions. Prior to SkySafe, she co-founded Socrates.ai, which was recently acquired by Simpplr. Known for building high-performing teams and driving customer-focused growth, Melissa combines operational expertise with a deep understanding of scaling emerging technologies.

In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Melissa discusses the evolution of airspace intelligence, the biggest gaps in current drone defense systems, what new legislation means for local law enforcement, and how organizations are preparing for large-scale global events in an era of rapidly expanding drone activity.