AUVSI Names Heather Lee Acting President and CEO as Michael Robbins Plans Departure

Robbins will leave AUVSI on September 30 to lead the Semiconductor Industry Association; the AUVSI Board has launched a search for a permanent successor.

The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) has announced a leadership transition effective this fall. President and CEO Michael Robbins will leave the organization on September 30, 2026. Chief Operating Officer Heather Lee will become Acting President and CEO on October 1.

Robbins will become President and CEO of the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA). The AUVSI Board of Directors has launched a search for the association’s next permanent President and CEO.

“Michael’s selection to lead SIA is a testament to the profile AUVSI has built on Capitol Hill, the Executive Branch, and across the industry,” said John “JC” Coffey, Chairperson of the AUVSI Board of Directors and Executive Director at Cherokee Nation Federal. “He came up through this organization’s advocacy ranks and has been a transformative leader for AUVSI. I want to thank him for the vision, energy, and stability he brought to the organization. Having anchored AUVSI’s operations and organizational growth for years, Heather Lee has the Board’s complete confidence to guide our continued forward progress.”

Robbins Moves to Semiconductor Industry Association

Robbins joined AUVSI in 2020 as Chief Advocacy Officer. The organization named him President and CEO in 2024.

During his tenure, AUVSI expanded its advocacy work in Washington and its engagement with policymakers in support of the development of a robust U.S.-based drone ecosystem. According to the association, AUVSI representatives testified before Congress eight times during his leadership.

AUVSI also expanded its work across defense, commercial drones, and ground and maritime autonomous systems. The association said its current policy priorities and programs will continue through the leadership change.

“AUVSI has given me the opportunity of a lifetime, and I’m proud of what our team has built together,” said Robbins. “To our members, our committee volunteers, and everyone across the industry who put their trust in AUVSI and in me – thank you. I will leave this organization with a deep bench of policy and operational talent, and I have complete confidence in Heather and the rest of the leadership team to keep AUVSI’s momentum going. I look forward to the industry’s continued success, and I remain an enduring champion and advocate for its strategic importance.”

Robbins will remain in his current role through September 30.

Heather Lee to Lead During Search

Lee currently serves as AUVSI’s Chief Operating Officer. Before joining AUVSI, Lee spent nearly two decades at CTIA – The Wireless Association. Her work there included leadership of the association’s Super Mobility event.

“Michael built this team to last, and that’s exactly what you’re seeing right now,” said Lee. “Our policy priorities, committee structure, and government relations strategy remain through this transition. October 1 doesn’t change how we operate. Our members, Hill offices, and agency partners should expect to see the same level of engagement, the same responsiveness, and the same results they’ve come to expect from AUVSI.”

The leadership change comes as AUVSI continues its policy and industry work across the growing autonomous systems sector. The organization represents companies and other stakeholders working in uncrewed systems, robotics, and autonomous technologies.

The AUVSI Board said it plans to conduct a “thorough and efficient” search for the association’s next President and CEO. Lee will lead the organization during that process.

Read more:

• AUVSI’s Michael Robbins on Why Regional Autonomy Hubs Are Critical to U.S. Drone Leadership
• At XPONENTIAL 2026, AUVSI Signals a New Phase for the Drone Industry
• AUVSI Op-Ed: The Time for Decisive Action is Now