Col. Douglas Drakeley, USAF (Ret.) serves as a Defense Advisory Board Member at Skylark Labs. A retired Colonel in the United States Air Force, Drakeley brings decades of military leadership experience spanning operations, technology acquisition, and strategic planning. His distinguished career in the Air Force provided him with deep expertise in the integration of advanced technology into military operations and the modernization of defense capabilities.
Throughout his military service, Colonel Drakeley held key leadership positions across multiple commands, overseeing critical missions in air operations, intelligence, and defense technology programs. His experience in managing complex technology programs and driving operational innovation within the Department of Defense gives him a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities of deploying AI systems in defense environments.
At Skylark Labs, Colonel Drakeley provides strategic counsel on defense market engagement, military requirements analysis, and the deployment of autonomous AI systems for Air Force and joint military applications. His firsthand understanding of military operational needs and technology acquisition processes makes him an invaluable advisor as Skylark Labs expands its defense portfolio.