Reliable Robotics has appointed Russ Elmer as general counsel as the autonomous-aircraft developer prepares to expand in commercial and defense aviation. The company announced the hire on October 9, adding a legal executive with more than three decades of experience in regulated markets.
Elmer previously held legal leadership roles at ServiceNow, LendingClub, PayPal, eBay and E*TRADE Financial. ServiceNow’s biography says he served as general counsel and secretary from 2018 to 2025, overseeing legal, ethics and compliance as the enterprise-software business grew.
At Reliable, he will oversee legal operations and build the infrastructure needed for physical expansion, Federal Aviation Administration certification and commercialization. The remit covers both civilian and defense markets as the Mountain View, California-based company works to bring its flight-automation technology into service.
CEO and co-founder Robert Rose linked the appointment to Reliable’s certification and commercial ambitions. Elmer said his priority is helping translate autonomous-aviation technology into certified flights. The announcement did not disclose a new regulatory approval or a date for completing certification.
Reliable’s focus on certification places the hire alongside a broader push to commercialize aviation autonomy. RobotsBeat previously covered DoorDash Air, whose FAA air-carrier certification supported a separate drone-delivery program. The projects involve different aircraft and operating models, but both depend on regulatory progress as well as technology development.
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