David Kovar
Founder and CEO of URSA
Throughout his career, David has created the software, systems, teams, and organizations that accurately collect and share verifiable, defensible, facts.
David and his team develop automated cybersecurity solutions for agribusiness, medical technology, critical infrastructure, and defense. His work directly addresses cybercrime, UAV airspace safety and security, and informs domestic and international policies and procedures.
David led Ernst and Young’s U.S. digital forensics and cybersecurity response program from 2012 to 2015, expanding Ernst and Young’s cybersecurity solutions and incident response procedures.
He founded the practice of UAV forensics in 2015 and is a recognized innovator, author, and thought leader in the field.
David has a Master’s Degree in International Relations from The Fletcher School at Tufts University.
He is a Director for the National Association For Search And Rescue, a CUAS analyst for Delaware Emergency Management Agency, and a private sector partner for New Hampshire’s Information and Analysis Center.
In all parts of his life, David works to provide fact based solutions that contribute to optimal outcomes for individuals, organizations, and society.
Robert Cutler
Chief Operations Officer and Director of Engineering
Over the past four years, in addition to his administrative duties, Robert has taken the lead role in designing and implementing applications in airspace analysis for both UAVs and manned aircraft, drone air corridor selection, real-time UAV sensor monitoring and control, and data ingestion and analysis for a variety of UAV sensors.
Prior to joining URSA, Robert was an entrepreneur in the fields of technology and education, owning and operating a software consulting firm for more than ten years, starting, operating, and selling a ISP in rural New England, and starting an innovative international private high school in the San Francisco Bay area. Robert earned his master’s degree in computer science from Purdue University and bachelors’ degrees in computer science and German from Dartmouth College.
John Allred
Chief Technology Officer
John Allred is the Chief Technology Officer at URSA Secure, where he leads the company’s advanced cybersecurity research and development initiatives related to Large Language Models and autonomous healing of compromised systems. With a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), John has been instrumental in pioneering technological advancements such as highly-scalable, real-time networked systems for military and civilian simulators.
Prior to joining URSA, John spent nearly eight years at Ernst & Young (EY), where he led Incident Response and Managed Detection and Response engagements for Fortune 100 clients. His earlier career includes senior roles at Cray, IBM, Microsoft, and other leading technology firms, focusing on High Performance Computing, cloud architecture, and enterprise security.
Ben Baron
Security Director
Ben Baron is responsible for leading cyber and physical security efforts, coordinating drone exploits, and is the lead contact for the DoD and law enforcement.
Ben brings 20 years of experience with defense acquisitions and 15 years of cyber security testing and exercise support to his role at URSA. He served honorably in the U.S. Army as a military police officer for five years and earned a bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems from Northeastern University. He also supported the TechStars program as a DoD mentor. Ben brings a drive for innovation and new ways of doing things to all of his work.
In his spare time, he enjoys skiing, boating, and outdoors activities. He lives in Eastern Massachusetts with his family.
