Brendan Groves is the Vice President of Regulatory and Policy Affairs at Skydio, the largest U.S. drone manufacturer and world leader in autonomous flight. Brendan works with policy makers and regulators in the U.S. and international markets to unlock safe and effective autonomous operations. Under his leadership, Skydio has also become a leader in the development of ethical frameworks on the responsible use of drones and AI.

Before joining Skydio, he held senior positions in the federal government, most recently as Associate Deputy Attorney General in the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). In that role, he managed DOJ’s national security policy portfolio, including intelligence and counterintelligence, counterterrorism, cyber operations, reviews of foreign investments, and export controls. In particular, he oversaw the Department’s contributions to the White House National Security Council process.

He also led DOJ’s drone program and helped to shape national policy on drones as a member of the FAA’s Executive Committee on UAS. Brendan played a central leadership role in the effort to counter the threat posed by malicious drones, spearheading the development and passage of legislation—known as the Preventing Emerging Threats Act—authorizing federal law enforcement officials to detect and disrupt drone threats nationwide.

Brendan’s career began as an officer in the U.S. Air Force, where he deployed to Afghanistan with joint special operations forces and served as the chief prosecutor of a military installation. Following his military service, Brendan served as the Special Counsel to the General Counsel of the National Security Agency and clerked on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. 

He has received the Bronze Star Medal, the Attorney General’s John Marshall Award for the Handling of Legislation, the National Security Division’s Award for Excellence, and two national awards from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, including the National Intelligence Community Junior Attorney of the Year. Brendan is a graduate of Yale Law School and Pepperdine University.