James L. Grimsley

James Grimsley serves as Executive Director of Advanced Technology Initiatives for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. He is recognized nationally as an authority on aviation policy and technology for advanced aviation and advanced air mobility — including drones, autonomy, and autonomous systems.

His leadership extends well beyond aviation. He brings significant experience in semiconductor research, commercialization, and economic development — including service as Regional Innovation Officer for the Texoma Semiconductor Tech Hub — and has worked at the intersection of emerging technology, transportation policy, higher education, and entrepreneurship, shaping the policy frameworks that carry innovation safely to scale.

Mr. Grimsley holds a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering and an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma. He has held positions in higher education at the University of Oklahoma and Southern Methodist University (SMU), and as an entrepreneur has founded and grown technology ventures while leading the commercialization of advanced research.