Greg Agvent is the Senior Director of the CNN Aerial Imagery & Reporting unit, CNN Air. Agvent has led CNN’s domestic unmanned aerial systems (UAS) program since CNN initiated its research efforts in 2013. As a partner in the FAA’s Pathfinder program, Agvent led CNN’s successful research effort towards safe operations of UAS over people. Agvent also leads CNN’s UAS Integrated Pilot Program partnership. He has overseen the development of all facets of CNN’s aerial operations, including training, safety management systems, operations, risk management and expansion. CNN Air currently has 55 trained, licensed and equipped pilots operating in the U.S. Because of his demonstrated leadership in the field, Agvent was named to the Federal Drone Advisory Committee (DAC). He is also a member of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) and serves on the Advisory Boards of the Commercial UAV Expo, DroneResponders and CompTIA.

Prior to the launch of CNN Air, Agvent served as the Director of News Technology, providing the strategic vision bridging the editorial and technical worlds, with a focus on applied technologies; multi-platform production systems, newsgathering technologies, information management systems and other nascent technologies.

Based in Atlanta, he has worked extensively with both the Editorial and Technical leadership in developing and executing CNN’s coverage of virtually every significant domestic news story of the last 15 years. Agvent joined CNN in 1984. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from Purdue University.