Electric utilities
10 drone operations program experts
These ten managers have run in-house drone and UAS (unmanned aircraft) programs and operations at utilities. A reader can learn from them how a company's own drone program is set up, staffed and run day to day.
Professionals to explore
01—10Aileen Gallagher
LinkedInExperience: UAS Manager · PECO
UAS Manager at PECO since October 2022; the profile says the role manages PECO's UAS (Uncrewed Aerial Systems) Team and is responsible for developing and executing the strategy for drone and robotics use at PECO. Former Senior Engineer, Reliability Reporting & Data Analytics (2021–2022) and General Engineer, Reliability Reporting & Data Analytics (2020–2021) at PECO.
Andy McCauley
LinkedInExperience: Manager - Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) · Baltimore Gas and Electric
Manager - Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) at Baltimore Gas and Electric since October 2021, a role the profile lists at manager level in the operations department. Former Sr. Engineer - UAS Program Lead (2019–2021) and General Engineer - Transmission Operations Support (2013–2019) at Baltimore Gas and Electric.
Brian Knights
LinkedInExperience: UAS (drone) Program Manager · MidAmerican Energy Company
UAS (drone) Program Manager at MidAmerican Energy Company since February 2018, managing a drone program that the profile says includes BVLOS operations, thermal inspections, mapping and storm damage assessments. Former Program Manager - Fleet (2012–2018) and Manager - Right-of-Way Services (2007–2012) at MidAmerican Energy Company.
Craig Stenberg
LinkedInExperience: Program Manager Remote Sensing and Unmanned Aircraft · Southern California Edison (SCE)
Program Manager Remote Sensing and Unmanned Aircraft at Southern California Edison (SCE) since October 2018, and also Founder and Chief Architect Remote Sensing and Unmanned Aircraft Programs there since October 2018. Former Flight Operations Manager (2015–2018) and Helicopter Operations Specialist (2011–2015) at Southern California Edison (SCE).
Cullen Chong
LinkedInExperience: Unmanned Aerial Systems Program Manager · Hawaiian Electric
Unmanned Aerial Systems Program Manager at Hawaiian Electric since January 2020; the profile describes the role as serving the company's team of remote pilots so they can be the best pilots they can be. Former Generation Engineer at Hawaiian Electric (2011–2020), and Instructor & Co-Founder at FlashPoint STEM LLC since 2016.
Dean Barefield
LinkedInExperience: Enterprise UAS Operations Manager · Southern Company
Enterprise UAS Operations Manager at Southern Company since December 2017. The profile describes scaling one of the nation's largest regulated utility UAS portfolios and leadership experience spanning defense aviation, unmanned systems (UAS) and enterprise operations, including former service as Brigade Aviation Officer 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), U.S. Army (2016–2017).
Jason Goodick
LinkedInExperience: Manager, Entergy Aviation UAS Program · Entergy
Manager, Entergy Aviation UAS Program at Entergy since July 2019 and Manager, Unmanned Aerial Systems there since April 2024. The profile describes a history of operating and managing large enterprise unmanned systems in the utilities industry. Former Aviation Maintenance Technician at Entergy Services, Inc. (2014–2019).
Kellen Kirk
LinkedInExperience: Principal Program Manager UAS Field Operations and Specialized Inspections · Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Former Principal Program Manager UAS Field Operations and Specialized Inspections at Pacific Gas and Electric Company (2019–2023), and Senior Manager, Aviation Operations there since March 2023. The profile describes accountability for enterprise aviation operations supporting electric and gas utility infrastructure across a statewide service territory, owning strategy, governance and performance for UAS and fixed-wing aircraft.
Walt Hodges
LinkedInExperience: Manager UAS Ops & Training · Tennessee Valley Authority
Manager UAS Ops & Training at Tennessee Valley Authority since July 2019, a role the profile says leads and executes the UAS (drone) operations and training program across the TVA enterprise. Manager Aerial Data at Tennessee Valley Authority since June 2025, and former Transmission ROW Forester there (2011–2019).
Zachary Roach
LinkedInExperience: Sr. UAS Program Manager · Xcel Energy
Sr. UAS Program Manager at Xcel Energy since October 2024 and Director of Remote Sensing there since September 2026. The profile says this work built and scaled an enterprise remote sensing program from emerging capability to operational infrastructure and led the strategy and execution of one-to-many BVLOS operations and remote UAS deployment. Former UAS Pilot and Program Instructor at Xcel Energy (2022–2024).
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's program stage to yours, since founding a new drone program, scaling flight operations and turning aerial imagery into usable data call for different experience. Check each person's dates to see whether their drone program role is current or in the past.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you build the business case for an in-house drone program instead of hiring drone service contractors?
- 02What does it take to get approval for and safely run beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations?
- 03How do you train, certify and manage a team of in-house drone pilots?
Reaching drone operations program experts
How can I contact one of these drone operations program experts?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 10 companies, including PECO, Baltimore Gas and Electric and MidAmerican Energy Company, based on profile data retrieved on October 3, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach drone operations program experts?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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