Dallas – October 27, 2026 -- XTI Aerospace (Nasdaq: XTIA) appointed Dr. Allan Evans, CEO of rival-adjacent drone company Unusual Machines (NYSE American: UMAC), as a director and Chairman of its Board, restoring the board to five members.
Ornstein moves to Vice Chairman as Evans takes the chair
The Board designated Jonathan Ornstein as Vice Chairman in connection with Evans' appointment. Ornstein said Evans brings engineering expertise, business development and corporate strategy experience, and firsthand knowledge of the domestic supply chain for the U.S. drone industry.
Evans has led drone businesses since 2017
Evans, 43, has served as CEO and a director of Unusual Machines since December 2023. He was Chief Operating Officer of Red Cat Holdings from 2021 to 2023. Before that, he was CEO of Fat Shark from 2017 until Red Cat acquired it in 2020. He holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan.
XTI targets U.S. enterprise drone market through Drone Nerds
Interim CEO Jeremy Schneiderman said XTI and its subsidiary Drone Nerds aim to expand their leadership in the U.S. enterprise drone market. Drone Nerds serves public safety, agriculture, construction and energy customers.
Evans described the market as undergoing a "critical transition away from foreign manufacturers" and said the company has an opportunity to grow its business significantly.
Foreign supplier reliance remains a disclosed risk
XTI's forward-looking statements cite trends in customer demand for domestically manufactured and NDAA-compliant drones. They also list Drone Nerds' reliance on DJI and other foreign suppliers, and U.S. regulatory restrictions on foreign-manufactured drones and components, as risks to results.