Brent Laing Joins Ondas Networks Board

Brent Laing

Canadian National

SUNNYVALE, Calif. - Brent Laing joins Ondas Networks Board to help accelerate adoption of dot16 in North America.

Laing will serve as an independent board member and advisor for Ondas Networks. Ondas Holdings Inc. is a provider of autonomous aerial and ground robot intelligence, and dot16 allows for enhanced reliability for wayside and onboard applications, including advanced train control, real-time diagnostics, video, and emerging automation use cases, according to Ondas.

In September, The Association of American Railroads (AAR) Wireless Communications Committee (WCC) announced that dot16 will “serve as the upgrade path for the legacy 160 MHz LMR voice network, joining the 900 MHz and 450 MHz networks where dot16 has already been formally adopted.”

Already serving on AREMA’s Board of Governors, Laing has held executive roles at Canadian National and Canadian Pacific over the last few decades. Currently, Laing is President at Laing Railway Consulting Ltd. In September 2023, Brent Laing was also named Railway Track & Structures‘ Engineer of the Year.

Laing said he is “excited to join the Board of Directors at Ondas Networks. . . Ondas Networks is an innovative companying advancing mission-critical wireless connectivity and industrial automation. I believe the dot16 wireless platform directly addresses the rail industry’s critical requirements as we modernize networks to support the next generation of operating and safety technologies. I look forward to contributing my experience and supporting the team as we advance this important mission. I’m truly energized by the opportunities ahead.”

Chairman and CEO of Ondas and Chairman of Ondas Networks, Eric Brock said, “Brent’s deep understanding of railroad infrastructure and his credibility across the Class 1 community will be instrumental in accelerating adoption of dot16 as the new standard for mission-critical rail communications. . . His railroading expertise and long-standing leadership in engineering and operations come at a pivotal moment for the industry. We’re grateful to have Brent join the Ondas Networks Board and are excited to have his guidance as we help advance the next germination of rail safety and operational readiness.”

Ondas Networks CEO Marks Nottelmann said, “I’m thrilled to welcome Brent to the Ondas Networks Board. . . Brent’s deep experience leading engineering organizations at Class 1 railroads, and his long track record of driving operational improvements through technology gives him a rare and valuable perspective on what the industry needs as it modernizes. His insight will be invaluable as we continue supporting the rail sector’s transition to IEEE 802.16, enabling a more robust communications infrastructure and a broad range of wayside and onboard applications that enhance safety, efficiency, and reliability across railroad operations.”