Rashid Mattar Al Manai

Rashid Mattar Al Manai is the Chief Executive Officer of LODD Autonomous, an Abu Dhabi–based company pioneering advanced air mobility and autonomous logistics. Under his leadership, LODD has developed the Hili Hybrid VTOL cargo aircraft — the first of its kind fully engineered and manufactured in the UAE. Al Manai has built a distinguished career in aerospace over more than 25 years, spanning engineering, operations, and executive leadership. He began as a lead engineer on the F-16 Block 60 program, directing aerodynamics and structural design. He was part of the core team that established ADASI, later serving as COO and building its commercial operations, and went on to serve as Board Member and Executive Committee Chairman of Tawazun Dynamics, guiding its growth in aerial defense systems. Al Manai holds a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering (Summa Cum Laude) from the University of Arizona, an M.Sc. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington, and a Master of Engineer