Meet Our Team

Bruce McPherson

Founder & CEO 

Bruce brings over three decades of entrepreneurial leadership and technical innovation to Clarion Drone Academy, combining deep aviation expertise with proven business acumen across multiple technology sectors.

As a serial entrepreneur, Bruce has founded and scaled successful technology companies throughout his career. He established Medsoft Canada, building it into a recognized player in the medical technology sector before strategically positioning for acquisition. His ability to identify emerging markets and build companies that deliver real-world solutions has been a consistent thread throughout his business ventures.

Bruce’s aviation journey began with his acquisition of Pointer Avionics Ltd., where he recognized an opportunity to address a critical safety gap in the aviation industry. Under his leadership, Pointer developed Canada’s only domestically-produced aircraft emergency beacon technology—a breakthrough that required navigating complex regulatory landscapes and building credibility with the world’s most demanding aviation authorities. The successful certification of this technology with Transport Canada, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) demonstrated Bruce’s unique ability to bridge technical innovation with regulatory compliance.

This experience proved invaluable when Bruce identified the transformative potential of unmanned aerial systems. Recognizing that the drone industry would follow aviation’s established regulatory framework, he founded Clarion Drone Academy to address a critical market need: professional-grade training that prepares operators not just to fly drones, but to navigate complex regulatory environments and execute mission-critical operations.

Bruce’s technical foundation in electronics and automation engineering informs his strategic approach to drone technology. His hands-on technical involvement ensures Clarion stays at the forefront of technological advancement while maintaining focus on practical operational requirements.

Under Bruce’s leadership, Clarion Drone Academy has strategically positioned itself in high-value market segments including search and rescue operations, law enforcement applications, infrastructure inspection, and precision mapping. His business development approach focuses on building long-term relationships with government agencies, military units, and corporate clients who require the highest levels of operational proficiency and regulatory compliance.

Bruce’s strategic vision extends beyond training delivery. He has cultivated partnerships with leading drone manufacturers and technology providers, ensuring Clarion’s students train on cutting-edge equipment while maintaining access to technical support and integration services. This ecosystem approach delivers comprehensive solutions rather than standalone training programs.

His regulatory expertise—honed through years of certification projects across multiple aviation authorities—positions Clarion as a trusted advisor to clients navigating Transport Canada’s evolving RPAS regulations. Bruce maintains active engagement with regulatory bodies, contributing to industry discussions and ensuring Clarion’s curriculum anticipates rather than reacts to regulatory changes.

As CEO, Bruce has built Clarion’s reputation for operational discretion and confidentiality, understanding that many government and military clients conduct sensitive operations. This client-first approach, combined with consistently delivered results, has established Clarion as the preferred training provider for organizations where operational failure is not an option.

Bruce’s entrepreneurial philosophy centers on identifying underserved markets, building teams of exceptional talent, and delivering solutions that create genuine value. At Clarion, this translates to developing RPAS pilots who don’t just meet minimum certification requirements—they excel in demanding operational environments across the globe.

His mission: position Clarion Drone Academy as the global leader in advanced RPAS training while continuing to push the boundaries of drone technology application across industries where precision, safety, and regulatory compliance are non-negotiable.

Bill Furniss

COO and Vice President

Bill serves as Chief Operating Officer and Vice President at Clarion Drone Academy, leveraging over 35 years of senior leadership experience across security, law enforcement, and emergency management to drive operational excellence and government sector growth.

Bill’s distinguished career spans counterintelligence operations, intelligence analysis, and enforcement leadership roles across multiple government agencies. His service with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, and various provincial law enforcement agencies provided deep insight into government operational requirements, procurement processes, and the unique challenges facing public safety organizations.

As COO, Bill oversees all operational aspects of Clarion’s training delivery, ensuring programs meet the rigorous standards government and military clients demand. His expertise in project management and strategic planning enables efficient execution of complex, customized training programs tailored to specific agency requirements.

Bill’s contract negotiation capabilities have been instrumental in establishing Clarion’s government client portfolio. He navigates procurement frameworks, understands government funding mechanisms, and communicates effectively with decision-makers—skills developed through decades of government service rather than private sector consulting.

His comprehensive certifications—spanning law enforcement operations, firearms, tactical response, emergency medical care, and communications systems—reflect genuine operational capability. This hands-on experience informs curriculum development and provides credibility with the law enforcement and military communities Clarion serves.

Bill’s emergency management background proves particularly valuable in developing search and rescue and disaster response training programs. His experience coordinating multi-agency operations ensures Clarion’s training addresses not just technical drone operation but effective integration within broader emergency management frameworks.

As Vice President, Bill drives strategic planning and business development in government and military markets. His extensive network across federal, provincial, and municipal agencies provides Clarion with insight into emerging opportunities and evolving operational requirements. He maintains active engagement with industry associations and law enforcement networks, positioning Clarion at the forefront of public safety drone applications.

Bill’s expertise in unmanned systems stems from practical evaluation of RPAS technology in public safety contexts. He understands operational requirements, integration challenges, and the organizational change management necessary when traditional agencies adopt new technological capabilities.

Under Bill’s operational leadership, Clarion has established itself as the preferred training provider for government agencies requiring discretion, professionalism, and measurable operational outcomes. His government credibility ensures Clarion speaks the language of its public safety clients and delivers training that translates directly to mission effectiveness.

Darren Clarke

Chief RPAS Pilot and Systems Trainer

Darren Clarke serves as Chief RPAS Pilot and Systems Trainer at Clarion Drone Academy, where he leads advanced pilot training programs for government, military, and corporate clients worldwide. With over a decade of specialized RPAS experience, Darren has established himself as one of Canada’s leading authorities in Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations and complex unmanned aerial systems.

As a certified RPAS Flight Instructor and Transport Canada Flight Reviewer, Darren holds the Level 1 BVLOS Transport Canada Pilot Certificate for RPAS and maintains accreditation as a ROC-A Radio Examiner with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED). His dual expertise in both traditional aviation and unmanned systems provides students with comprehensive operational knowledge grounded in established aviation safety culture and regulatory frameworks.

Darren’s aviation background includes extensive experience in airport operations at Toronto Pearson International Airport (CYYZ), where he worked alongside large aircraft operations including Boeing 737, 747, and 777 platforms. This exposure to high-density airspace management and complex aviation environments informs his instruction on airspace integration, risk mitigation, and operational safety protocols critical to advanced RPAS missions.

Throughout his career, Darren has provided specialized training and operational support to military units, law enforcement agencies, and government organizations across multiple continents. His work spans tactical surveillance operations, infrastructure inspection programs, environmental monitoring initiatives, and search and rescue applications. He has successfully prepared RPAS operators for missions in challenging environments ranging from dense urban airspace to remote wilderness areas.

Darren’s training philosophy emphasizes practical application of regulatory knowledge, systematic risk assessment, and mission-specific operational planning. He specializes in preparing operators for Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC) applications and complex approval processes, ensuring clients achieve full regulatory compliance while maintaining operational flexibility.

His technical expertise extends beyond flight operations to include advanced sensor integration, payload management, and systems troubleshooting across multiple drone platforms. Darren works closely with select clients on hardware integration projects, bridging the gap between off-the-shelf systems and mission-specific requirements.

As Chief RPAS Pilot, Darren continues to conduct operational flights, maintaining current proficiency across various platforms and operational scenarios. This hands-on approach ensures his instruction reflects the latest operational realities, technological advances, and evolving regulatory landscape.

Darren’s mission is straightforward: to develop highly competent, safety-conscious RPAS pilots who operate with precision and professionalism in the global drone industry. His graduates serve in critical roles across government agencies, military units, law enforcement services, and private sector organizations worldwide, consistently meeting the highest operational standards demanded by their missions.

David MacDonald

ISR & Military Drone Operations Specialist

Military Background

• 25 years of service in the Canadian Armed Forces (Retired 2010), specializing in Air Defence Artillery.
• Extensive experience in domestic and international operations, including training, security, and command roles.
• Commander of Readiness Training Flight, 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta, responsible for training 3,000 Air Force personnel for overseas deployment.
• Commander, Air Space Operations Coordination Centre, Kandahar, Afghanistan (2008-2009) – Oversaw all drone operations in Kandahar Province.
• ISR & Drone Operations Expertise
• 14+ years of private sector experience in Large RPAS BVLOS flight operations & training.
• Accumulated 1,000+ flight hours in support of Canadian military operations in Afghanistan and naval missions in the Indian Ocean aboard a Canadian Naval Ship.
• SCANEAGLE UAV Qualified – Basic flight operations, maintenance, and maritime applications.
• Transport Canada RPAS Instructor & Flight Reviewer.
• Holds Restricted Operator Certificate – Air (ROC-A).
• Professional Experience
• Field Service Representative, ING Robotic Aviation (2010-2014) – Provided ISR and UAV operations support.
• Operations Manager, Drone Delivery Canada (2018-2019) – Managed UAV-based logistics and operations.
• Operations & Training Manager, ING Robotic Aviation, Ottawa (2019-2022) – Led training and operational readiness for UAV deployments.
• Senior Manager, CFMWS, NATO Operations, Camp Adazi, Latvia (2022-2023) – Provided morale and welfare support for NATO forces.
• Independent Contractor, CALIAN (2024-Present) – Delivering simulation training at the Canadian Army Simulation Centre (CASC).

Military Awards & Commendations

• Canadian Service Medals (Afghanistan, 2008-2013).
• NATO Commendation (2005-2007) – Recognized for excellence in NATO Tactical Training.
• United States Army Meritorious Service Medal (2005-2006) – For exceptional instructor standards in military training.

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Rafael Padilla

ISR & Defense Solutions Specialist, South America

With a background in industrial engineering from Javeriana University in Bogotá, Rafael t brings a wealth of experience in aerospace maintenance, security systems, and UAV integration.

• Aviation & Defense Experience: Began career as a maintenance engineer with Avianca, Colombia’s national airline. Later served as a reservist in the Colombian Army Aviation Corps, reinforcing expertise in military aviation operations.
• Security & Technology Leadership: Held key regional roles, including Regional Manager for Bosch Security & Integration Systems LATAM and Country Manager for Colombia & Ecuador at ANIXTER, a Fortune 500 IT distributor specializing in high-security solutions.
• UAV & ISR Specialization: A recognized leader in unmanned systems, co-founded the Colombia UAV Association and maintains active memberships in AUVSI, ALAS, ACIEM, and others. As President of the World UAV Federation’s Colombia Chapter—the first in Latin America—he drives innovation in UAV deployment for defense, infrastructure, and critical asset protection.
• Advanced ISR & IoT Integration: Currently leading consulting and solutions design for drone-based IoT applications, including the deployment of the region’s first active Drone Dock Station for oil pipeline inspection—enhancing security, automation, and operational intelligence in high-risk environments.

Rafael’s expertise aligns with Clarion ISR’s mission to provide cutting-edge intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) solutions for military, law enforcement, and government agencies worldwide.

William Bolton

Transport Canada UAV Examiner & Search and Rescue Specialist

William Bolton brings over four decades of operational experience spanning military service, law enforcement, and emergency response to his role as a Transport Canada UAV examiner. His career represents a unique convergence of tactical expertise, aviation operations, and community service that has positioned him as a recognized authority in unmanned aviation systems across Canada.

Bolton’s foundation in high-stakes operations began in the 1970s serving as both a combat soldier and paramedic, providing frontline medical treatment and coordinating evacuations under pressure. After immigrating to Canada in 1980, he joined the Waterloo Regional Police Services where he served for 18 years, in the auxiliary advancing from patrol operations to the training department where he developed recruit training programs. Throughout his law enforcement career, he maintained frontline experience through traffic unit patrol, developing expertise in accident reconstruction. Concurrently, he served as a certified CPR and First Aid instructor with the Red Cross for over a decade.

In 2013, recognizing a critical gap in regional emergency response capabilities, Bolton founded a volunteer search and rescue group. Drawing on his military and police experience, he developed training programs meeting international standards while addressing local operational needs. His expertise expanded to include canine search operations with certifications in tracking, air scent, and human remains detection. He advanced to instructor status, teaching advanced canine training techniques.

Bolton’s recognition of unmanned aviation systems’ potential for search and rescue led him to become one of the early certified UAV pilots in Canada, obtaining both FAA Part 107 and Transport Canada certifications. His expertise resulted in his appointment as a Transport Canada UAV examiner, where he tests and certifies advanced-level commercial pilots. He also serves as a certified aviation radio examiner for the ROC-A since 2015.

His search and rescue operations have been extensive, participating in as many as 23 searches annually. Bolton has taught aviation, ground search and rescue courses, and canine training while collaborating with teams across Canada and internationally. He served as Canadian Director for Community United Efforts (CUE) until 2025. His certifications include Ground Penetrating Radar for human remains detection and multiple FEMA courses in disaster relief operations.

In 2019, Bolton expanded into comprehensive disaster relief operations, designing a self-contained system featuring solar power, water purification, cellular distribution, and satellite communications. This infrastructure enables isolated communities to maintain contact during emergencies and provides emergency services with critical communication capabilities when conventional systems fail.

Bolton maintains currency in both traditional and modern navigation techniques, integrating compass and map navigation with advanced GPS technology in training and operational deployments. Beyond his primary emergency response work, he remains active in the broader public safety community, working with dog rescue organizations and maintaining strong relationships with emergency services across multiple jurisdictions.

Bolton’s role as a Transport Canada UAV examiner represents decades spent mastering the intersection of aviation operations, tactical decision-making, and emergency response—the expertise that defines excellence in advanced unmanned aviation systems operations.