Chris Bley
VP Board of Directors & Co-Founder
Chris Bley is a Santa Cruz-based serial entrepreneur and co-founder of drone innovation hub, Airspace Integration. Chris has been active in the wind energy industry for 19 years since founding Rope Partner, a rope access service company located in Santa Cruz. Rope Partner currently has 10 supporting staff and 90 technicians that use rope access on utility scale wind turbines throughout the world for inspection, maintenance and repair. In 2012 cofounded InspecTools, to apply emerging drone, database and software capabilities in solving wind energy, solar and utility industries problems. Following years of InspecTools was acquired by PrecisionHawk in September of 2018,, who continues to develop unique solutions in the Monterey Bay region. Chris is currently focused on several additional drone related projects including Monterey Bay DART (a non-profit focused on supporting and connecting drone innovators), Insight Up Solutions (drone and sensor resale) and AirSpace Integration (provides shared work spaces, air spaces and training). These companies are located in the Monterey Bay region, La Selva Beach and the Marina Airport. Chris holds a BA in Biology from UC Santa Cruz.
Marina, California, United States
Aerospace
Established in California’s Monterey Bay region, DART is a nonprofit organization committed to advancing the aerospace economy through strategic development and collaboration.
Emerging technologies in aerospace are reshaping a wide range of sectors—including transportation, national defense, public safety, natural resources, energy, and climate resiliency. As these technologies rapidly evolve, they generate an urgent need for coordinated, future-ready support systems that can adapt to shifting demands. DART addresses this need by empowering businesses through innovative strategies that strengthen capacity, foster resilience, and promote long-term economic vitality.
Emerging technologies in aerospace are reshaping a wide range of sectors—including transportation, national defense, public safety, natural resources, energy, and climate resiliency. As these technologies rapidly evolve, they generate an urgent need for coordinated, future-ready support systems that can adapt to shifting demands. DART addresses this need by empowering businesses through innovative strategies that strengthen capacity, foster resilience, and promote long-term economic vitality.
