Vern Raburn tapped to lead unmanned aircraft startup
Vern Raburn never left Albuquerque.
He just left the jet-setting world behind, and has been living with his wife in Moriarty so he can be close to the small airport in the mountains, fly his Mooney airplane and compete in international sailplane competitions.
But he can’t shake startups. Or planes.
This week, aviation startup firm Titan Aerospace in the East Mountains said Raburn will become its CEO.
“It is a startup. It’s what I do best,” Raburn, who many remember as the founder of Eclipse Aviation, told Albuquerque Business First.
Titan, he says, will make what it calls “atmospheric satellites,” giant solar-powered unmanned flying vehicles. The production model has a planned 165-foot wingspan, the same as a Boeing 787.
But, Raburn said, they won’t carry people — only 250 pounds of payload. They can fly for weeks, months, and eventually, Raburn said, years.
“It’s something I’ve been looking for,” Raburn said. “To some extent Titan happened. When you’re not looking for love, love finds you. What I’ve spent most of my career, I’ve always worked in startups. I’ve done startups as a kid. I’ve always been somebody who says, ‘Hey, let’s do this.’”
Raburn was an early part of one of the most successful startups ever, Microsoft. He also served as CEO of the computer security firm Symantec.
Titan, he said, combines both his loves, technology and aircraft. The lightweight planes are made of carbon fiber and coated in solar cells, and Titan will target communications companies and researchers. The company was founded by Max Yaney, now CTO.
“Vern’s passion for our mission is infectious and his leadership experience will be instrumental in helping us realize the tremendous market opportunity ahead for Titan,” Yaney said in a company announcement.
