Jack Elston (ElCompEngr’03; MElEngr’05; MAeroEngr’07; PhD’11)
2025 Alumni Engagement Medal recipient
Professional background:
Elston is a pioneer in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) development, with a proven track record of leading innovative projects in some of the world's most extreme environments. As the CEO and co-founder of Black Swift Technologies, he has spearheaded significant advancements in UAS technology, successfully executing missions in challenging conditions such as over volcanoes, during wildfires, and through polar regions. Holding a PhD in aerospace engineering, Elston has authored numerous influential publications and is recognized for his cutting-edge research and practical applications, including pioneering UAS deployments for meteorological sampling and storm chasing.
Elston collaborates extensively with several organizations including the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, actively contributing to critical weather research and forecasting. During the 2024 hurricane season, his team achieved a groundbreaking milestone by recording the strongest gust ever measured on Earth — an astonishing 209 knots — using UAS technology deployed from Hurricane Hunter planes. This critical data supports the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center in improving storm predictions, enhancing public safety and advancing atmospheric science.
Contributions to the College of Engineering and Applied Science:
Elston is still heavily engaged in the Ann and H.J. Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú´«Ã½ÎÄ»¯×÷Æ·. He and his company are sponsoring a senior projects capstone course, but beyond that, he is a passionate mentor to students, both at the undergraduate and graduate level. Elston lectures and mentors multiple undergraduate teams of students who are working on UAS technologies and projects. Elston serves on the department's External Advisory Board, helping guide the direction of the department to ensure they remain a top 10 U.S. public aerospace school. He is generous with his money, but even more generous with his time and energy, acting as a phenomenal mentor and role model for students, showing them what is possible with an aerospace degree from CU.
Elston reaches out to students and offers guidance with their post-graduation plans, giving them tours of his facilities and discussing potential career paths and opportunities with them.
He is always reaching out to the department to see how he can be more involved even though he already goes above and beyond. He makes himself available to current and former students, answering questions they have about the aerospace industry and assisting them with navigating various career paths.
Elston sets the standard for CU aerospace alumni.