Austen Clark
Chief Operating Officer & Board Member
Austen Clark serves as Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Board, bringing more than 15 years of leadership experience across aviation, agriculture, and technology-driven operations. His career is defined by building and scaling complex, safety-critical organizations while maintaining a strong focus on operational discipline, innovation, and long-term growth.
Prior to his current role, Austen was the owner, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Pilot of an aerial application company, where he led the organization through a period of rapid expansion. Growing the business by more than 100% through strategic planning, technology adoption, and operational optimization. In this role, he oversaw regulatory compliance, safety programs, capital planning, and day-to-day flight operations, bringing a systems-level approach to both risk management and performance.
Austen's aviation background spans high-consequence and mission-critical operations, including emergency medical services, government and public safety missions, aerial surveillance, and wildfire suppression. Having progressed from frontline pilot to executive leadership, he brings a rare operator's perspective to strategic decision-making, with a deep understanding of how policy, technology, and culture intersect in real-world operations.
Raised on a farm in northeast Iowa, Austen has a lifelong connection to agriculture and a strong appreciation for the challenges farmers face. He is passionate about advancing agricultural efficiency through safe, data-driven aviation and technology solutions that deliver measurable value while prioritizing safety and stewardship.
Austen lives in the Quad Cities with his wife and two children. Outside of work, he enjoys hunting, fishing, and traveling.
