Wade Hawkins is an accomplished professional with an extensive background in Geospatial and Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) technology, Education, and Research spanning over 28 years. Over the course of his career, Wade has been at the forefront of numerous groundbreaking applied research and development initiatives, collaborating closely with industry partners, as well as governmental and non-governmental agencies.

Currently serving as the Research Chair for the Centre for Innovation and Research in Unmanned Systems (CIRUS) at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Calgary, Alberta, Wade leads a dynamic team of professionals. This team includes Principal Investigators, Research Technicians, Advanced Drone Pilots, and Geospatial Experts. Together, they focus on integrating drones, sensors, and analytics to address the applied research needs of clients.

Outside of his professional commitments, Wade is actively engaged in volunteering. He serves as a board member for both the Fernie Trails Alliance and the Western Sky Land Trust, demonstrating his dedication to environmental and community causes. Despite his busy schedule, Wade prioritizes spending quality time with his family, enjoying outdoor activities like mountain biking, wake surfing and skiing.