Leadership | AURA TECHNOLIGIES

top of page

OUR PRODUCTS

Powering Progress in Your Hands

AURA's cutting-edge product suite provides a range of innovative solutions designed to streamline processes, enhance efficiency, and unlock new possibilities. We offer a diverse portfolio empowering you to achieve your goals. Explore our products to discover how AURA's technology can transform your organization.

AURA'S TEAM

Our CEOs

AURA is led by Douglas and Anna Bennett, who are passionate about harnessing technology in order to make the world a safer and better place. Douglas’s expertise and experience in defense and advanced technology and Anna’s expertise and experience in the commercial and healthcare sector are regularly leveraged for the benefit of all clients.

Co-CEO

Douglas Bennett

Co-CEO

WHO WE ARE

Leadership Team

At AURA, we are privileged to be surrounded by an extraordinary team of individuals driving innovation. Their combined skills and passion help us reimagine the boundaries of possibility every single day.

Chief Innovator

Dr. Alex Blate

20+ years in software, hardware & embedded systems (AR speciality, Ph.D. UNC Chapel Hill). Led software architecture at CA Technologies (Broadcom).

Head of Data Science

Michael Costanzo

Leads AI/ML infrastructure at AURA (Head of Data Science). 25+ years in critical business systems (public & private). Managed teams (NC Treasurer, Raleigh, Teladoc). PMP, CSM certified.

EVP of Software Programs

William Harvey

20+ years in tech leadership (CTO, CPO). Fintech innovator (Lantern Credit, SoFi). Managed apps & HIPAA network (Integrated Behavioral Health). Veteran (US Marine Corps). Led marketing for $57B in sales (eBay Enterprise). (BA Communication, Portland State).

Vice President of Operations

Hilary Leggette

14+ years in operations leadership (AURA, NC State). Manages core functions, compliance, and employee well-being. Expertise in change management and growth strategy. (BA, NC State; MA, SCAD).

Head of Marketing

Kathy Lajvardi

Kathy Lajvardi: Head of Marketing, AURA. 24+ years in creative marketing & branding (commercial & government). Expertise in digital experiences.

EVP Defense Programs

Mark Maxwell

Captain Mark Maxwell (US Navy Ret.) led Navy aircraft maintenance for 25+ years. Expertise in advanced manufacturing & quality control. Managed aviation programs & served as Naval Reservist.

ADVISORS

AURA Technical Advisors

AURA takes pride in its impressive lineup of technical advisors, each with a wealth of experience in their respective fields, ranging from initial SARS reporting and decades of technical management to cutting-edge visualization techniques at Boeing, veteran NASA leadership, and extensive civil service within the U.S. Army.

Frm Boeing Senior Tech Fellow

Dave Kasik

(ret. Boeing - Visualization & 3D Graphics): Pioneered user interfaces & visual analytics. Mastered digital management of manufacturing data.

Frm Comm. Int'l Space Station

Frank Culbertson

(Ret. Navy Captain & Astronaut): Commanded ISS in 2001. Led human spaceflight & science programs at Northrop Grumman. Inducted into US Astronaut Hall of Fame.

Senior Medical Advisor

Stephen Cunnion

Dr. Steve Cunnion, a retired Navy Captain with over 40 years in infectious disease, is a renowned expert. He co-founded iJet.com, serves as Senior Medical Advisor for AURA Technologies, and previously alerted the world to the SARS outbreak.

Frm. Chair, Joint Munitions Technical Adv. Board

Vince Matrisciano

With over 32 years as a US Army civilian, brings expertise in military systems across their lifecycle to AURA. He has experience with various weapons systems and led project management efforts. Vince also chaired a DoD advisory board.

ADVISORS

AURA Advisory Board Members

AURA’s Advisory Board consists of a highly experienced team with expertise in various fields like advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. Their backgrounds include prestigious roles such as the developer behind Amazon’s Alexa technology, Former Assistant Director for Advanced Manufacturing at the Office of Science and Technology Policy in the U.S. Executive Office, and leadership positions in the U.S. Air Force and notable cybersecurity firms.

Founder & CEO of Pryon, Inc

Igor Jablokav

AI leader Igor Jablokov founded Yap (acquired by Amazon for Alexa) and now leads Pryon. He has experience in government, research, and business, with a background in speech recognition and AI.

Col. USAF, Ret.

Phillip Lacombe

Security leader Phillip Lacombe brings experience from co-founding Secure Missions Solutions to leading cyber initiatives at Parsons Corporation, Veridian, GD, SAIC, and Olive Group. He also served in government cyber roles and founded the IT-ISAC. A retired Air Force Colonel with advanced degrees.

Board of Trustees, MT Connect Institute

Thomas R. Kurfess

Dr. Thomas Kurfess, a mechanical/ electrical engineering Ph.D. from MIT and chaired professor at Georgia Tech, has extensive experience in government, academia, and industry. He serves on multiple manufacturing boards and has won numerous awards for his research and leadership.

ADVISORS

AURA Advisory Board Members Emeritus

The emeritus member of the AURA Advisory Board possesses impressive credentials, including an executive role at the National Academy of Engineering and a history of leadership in Advanced Development Programs at Lockheed Martin.

Exec. Officer of Nat'l Academy of Engineering

Alton D. Romig, Jr. (Emeritus)

Dr. Alton Romig leads the National Academy of Engineering, advising the US government on engineering and technology. Previously, he led Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works® and held senior roles at Sandia National Laboratories. A materials science expert, he's a National Academy of Engineering member with a distinguished career.

Ready To Talk To The Experts At AURA Technologies?

+

Creating Your Future With Ground-breaking Technology Solutions Today

bottom of page