Igor Pasternak is the Founder and CEO of Worldwide Aeros Corp. (Aeros), which has grown under his leadership to become a global destination for the design and manufacturing of lighter-than-air (LTA) aircraft since its inception more than 25 years ago. Pasternak has extensive experience in program and project management, as well as in the R&D, design, system integration, manufacturing, testing, and certification activities in the area of conventional airships, transport category hybrid airships, aerostats, and High Altitude Airships (HAA). Pasternak was born in Kazakhstan inside the Soviet Union, and formed a childhood fascination with LTA aircraft that has driven his life’s work. He formed his first company, Aeros Ltd., in the Ukraine. The Ukraine-based Aeros Ltd. built and delivered advertising blimps and tethered aerostats to customers across Europe. Pasternak then immigrated to the United States in 1993 and founded Worldwide Aeros Corp. As a U.S. citizen, Pasternak has since won international recognition as one of the world’s leading experts in the design and construction of FAA certified airships. As Aeros’ Chief Engineer, he is the architect of the Aeroscraft, the world’s first rigid-hull, variable-buoyancy air vehicle with true vertical take-off and landing capability at maximum payload, while operating without external ballast. Pasternak designed this aviation innovation to efficiently lift and transport massive freight cargos over vast distances, offering the U.S. military and global industry the most flexible and cost-effective solution for transporting large cargo rapidly and securely across urban, remote, and ecologically sensitive areas. He has twice been honored as Small Business Person of the Year, by the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. Today, Pasternak is focused on fleet production for the Aeroscraft to globally expand military mobility capability, aid global commerce and commercial cargo logistics, and reduce fuel consumption, as well as implementing other clean energy innovations.