Andrew Zimmitti
Part 107 Exam Prep Course - Regulation
Andrew Zimmitti is our legal instructor here at Drone Launch Academy. Andrew has been practicing law for over 20 years and is currently a partner at the law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips in Washington, DC.
In addition to advising and representing clients in legal matters relating to Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Mr. Zimmitti is also a private pilot. He is currently working on his instrument rating. Andrew received his juris doctor degree from Georgetown Law and previously served in the United States Navy as a judge advocate.
We are thrilled to have Andrew bring his legal expertise to Drone Launch Academy and have our students learn from his experience.
Maj. Nathan Green
(USAF Ret.)
Part 107 Exam Prep Course - Weather
Major Green is another of Drone Launch Academy’s weather instructors. As the Meteorological Operations Manager for TruWeather Solution, Nathan is in a unique position to see how weather specifically impacts drone operations.
Nathan began his career in meteorology with the United States Air Force (USAF), where he led weather operations for Air Force One and the Air Force Chief of Staff, was a Staff Weather Officer at the Pentagon, and led major weather operations on the battlefield, supporting more than 120 aircraft and 15,000 soldiers. Major Green is a Purple Heart veteran who participated in US military operations in both the Iraq and Afghanistan. After retiring from the military, Nathan contributed to the Federal Aviation Administration’s key weather modernization program, NEXGEN Network Enabled Weather (NNEW), instrumental for enhancing future passenger airline safety and reducing system-wide weather delays.
Nathan holds a bachelors degree in meteorology and a masters degree in geosciences. We are thrilled to count Major Green among our distinguished Drone Launch Academy instructors.
Part 107 Exam Prep Course - Weather
Colonel Berchoff is one of our weather instructors at Drone Launch Academy. As CEO of TruWeather Solutions, Don is engaged in operational weather by leading a company that provides the transportation industry (including UAVs) tailored, real-time and forecast weather information to improve safety, and operations efficiency and effectiveness. Prior to leading TruWeather Solutions, Don served as the Director of Science and Technology at the National Weather Service where he worked with the Federal Aviation Administration to implement the Next Generation Air Traffic Management System Weather Concept of Operations.
Don started his career in the United States Air Force (USAF.) In his military career, Don earned non-rated crewmember wings for over 300 hours as an airborne meteorologist on EC-135 command and control aircraft. He served as Air Force One meteorologist for President H.W. Bush and led several large weather operations centers focused on providing mission critical weather services to Air Force and Army operations. Don also led the Chairmen, Joint Chief of Staff, Afghanistan military policy and strategy from 2002-2004 and was the Base Commander at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, where he led 1,500 coalition forces and Kyrgyz contractors in staging personnel in and out of Afghanistan and supporting air refueling combat missions over Afghanistan.
Don brings amazing experience and expertise to Drone Launch Academy. We are excited for our students to be able to learn and benefit from one of the foremost experts in aviation weather today. He can be reached at don.berchoff@truweathersolutions.com.
Josh Howard
Part 107 Exam Prep Course - Curriculum
Josh Howard is an active, full-time commercial pilot who flies several passenger routes per week. In his spare time, he is the Part 107 Curriculum Instructor here at Drone Launch Academy. He comes to DLA with a wide range of aviation knowledge and experience.
Josh holds his Remote Pilot Certificate (“Part 107” license), Airline Transport Pilot Certificate, Commercial Pilot Certificate for single and multi-engine aircraft, Certified Flight Instructor Certificate and Instrument Instructor Certificate.
Before Josh’s current job as an airline pilot, he worked as a Certified Flight Instructor logging over 3,500 hours of student instruction.
We are excited to have Josh on the DLA team and be able to make his vast knowledge and experience available to our students.
Alex Harris
Aerial Photo Pro & Aerial Video A to Z
Alex Harris is an accomplished videographer, editor, photographer, and commercial drone pilot. In addition to filming for networks such as HGTV, ESPN, and Discovery Health, Alex also has experience in filming live performances of artists like Pitbull and Benny Bennasi.
As a former Hollywood editor for network TV and film, Alex has edited everything from animated features to broadcast television to commercials. His work has carried him all over the world, working on projects from LA to Europe.
Alex is excited to partner with Drone Launch Academy in order to make professional aerial cinematography, video editing, and photography skills accessible to everyone, even those who don’t have any experience working with drones or professional editing software.
Aerial Roof Inspection Pro & Solar Roof Inspection Pro
Sinuhe is Co-Founder & CEO of DroneQuote, a company that uses drones to inspect and survey roofs for the purpose of installing solar or new roofing. Sinuhe was indirectly introduced to drones while on deployment to Iraq when his unit used drone imagery to assess road conditions looking for improvised explosive devices. As a result, Sinuhe has an appreciation of having benefitted greatly from drone technology.
In the civilian sector, while working for a solar and roofing installer — Sinuhe found himself constantly climbing up and down ladders to measure and inspect roofs. In 2014, Sinuhe purchased a multi-copter and immediately saw how using drone technology could make his life easier and help develop the solar and roofing business.
Since then, Sinuhe has created new methods and protocols to perfect the process of using drones for roof inspections. He is dedicated to further developing best practices to help train drone pilots by adding another valuable skill to their toolbelts.
Riley Wiggins
Aerial Roof Inspection Pro
Riley is the Co-Founder & COO of DroneQuote, a company that uses drones when helping homeowners invest in solar roofing for their homes. Riley was originally introduced to drones in the recreational and hobby scene as a younger man. This led him to find a passion for all flying machines and he obtained a general aviation license.
Before co-founding DroneQuote, Riley worked for a large-scale installer helping homeowners buy solar and other roofing. He rose through the ranks of the sales department and later found himself working–and excelling–in the engineering department designing solar systems. During this time, Riley created methods and protocols for efficiency and higher-level customer service.
Riley is dedicated to further developing new and innovative methods in using drones for solar and roofing to benefit both the installer and customer. He enjoys creating new tools for pilots to improve the overall industry and generate new business.
Cody Retlich
Drone Business Mastery
Cody is the founder of Midwest Aerial Productions, a drone company that specializes in providing photography, videography, 3D models, mapping, and thermal imaging services.
Cody decided to quit his sales job at an IT company to focus on building his drone business full-time. Within his first year of full-time drone work, he made six figures!
In the Drone Business Mastery program, Cody will share his experiences and advice about building a business.
Anthony ("AJ") Duesler
Drone Business Mastery
AJ has over a decade of experience as a CPA. Over the years, he worked for accounting firms and had worked his way up to becoming the Tax Manager for a regional CPA firm before he decided to start his own tax practice. (AJ actually does Drone Launch Academy’s business taxes, as well as David’s personal taxes, so we definitely trust him!)
In the Drone Business Mastery program, AJ will walk you through the process of setting up your business entity, bookkeeping, and filing and paying business taxes.
Dominic Wilkerson
Drone Business Mastery
Dominic provides photography, videography, and virtual tour services for the real estate industry. His work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times.
In the Drone Business Mastery program, Dominic will give you advice for building professional relationships and show you exactly how he has built and scaled his business through Instagram.
Jeremiah Oschwald
Drone Business Mastery
Jeremiah is the founder of Beard House Media, which is a drone services business that specializes in real estate video tours. Jeremiah also owns an outdoor lifestyle marketing company called Overland Pioneers.
In the Drone Business Mastery program, Jeremiah will teach you about what it’s like to work in the real estate industry, how to break into the market, and how to land clients.
Rut Patel
Drone Mapping and Modeling Fundamentals and Pro
Rut is the founder of Voyager Industries, a company that uses drones to provide asset management and inspection services for infrastructure, energy, and agriculture companies.
In the Drone Business Mastery program, Rut will teach you about the benefits of using drones in the construction industry, how to network with construction decision-makers and close deals, and how to provide them with deliverables that will help them keep their projects on track.
Jeff Carrillo
Drone Business Mastery
Jeff owns Tarillo Vue, which is a drone photography and videography company. He also owns IR Aerials, which is a company that specializes in using drones to conduct thermal imaging inspection services.
In the Drone Business Mastery program, Jeff will teach you how to be successful with drone thermal imaging. He will teach you how to conduct drone thermal inspections, how to use the data you collect to create a report that will provide the maximum benefit for your clients, how to network, and how to scale your business.
Ilan Yusim
Drone Business Mastery
During his time at Skywatch.ai, Ilan helped create and market the world’s first on-demand, telemetry-based insurance solutions for mobility in the drone industry.
Ilan will teach you about different drone insurance policies (and their prices), how to choose the right insurance for your jobs, and the inevitability of crashing your drone (and what to do when it happens!).
Dan Hindley
Drone Business Mastery
Since 2005, Dan has been working in the world of digital marketing. Currently, he is the director of a marketing and advertising agency called Right Shout.
During his 15+ years of experience, Dan has had the opportunity to work with both large and small businesses (a number of which in the drone industry), where he’s managed over $30 million dollars in advertising spending on Google and Facebook. He’s even managed almost $1 million of Drone Launch Academy’s advertising budget over the years.
In the Drone Business Mastery program, Dan will teach you all about Google Ads, which will help you reach potential clients that are looking for the services you provide. Having run many successful Google ad campaigns in the drone industry, Dan is the perfect person to learn from!
David Young
Founder and CEO
David is the founder of Drone Launch Academy. He is a drone enthusiast and an FAA-certified Advanced Ground Instructor, which means he has been tested and approved by the FAA to help students take and pass their FAA knowledge exams, such as the Unmanned Aircraft exam required for the Remote Pilot Certificate (what you need to fly drones commercially). David has held a FAA Private Pilot Certificate since 2007, which he obtained while studying at the College of Aeronautics at the Florida Institute of Technology.
Previously, David worked for the FBI as a forensic accountant and financial analyst. He also previously owned DCY Consulting, LLC, a finance and analytics firm that consulted with Fortune 50 companies such as Google and various start up companies such as SoapBox Soaps, Razoo, and From the Farmer. Mr. Young holds a masters degree in Finance from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelors degree in Finance and Accounting from Florida State University.
David is excited and humbled to have the opportunity to serve the amazing drone community and to train the newest wave of remote pilots.
Steve Russell
Director of Finance and Analytics
Steve is the Director of Finance and Analytics at Drone Launch Academy. He is here to make the backend of the company run like a well-oiled machine. Whether that’s overseeing projects, taking care of internal business issues, or making sure our affiliate partners get paid out on time, Steve is here to make sure things are working as efficiently as possible.
Steve comes from the finance world where he previously worked as an analyst for Prudential Global Investment Management, and later as an analyst at the Department of Justice. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University.
Audrey Snow-Brine
Marketing Manager
Audrey is the Marketing Manager here at Drone Launch Academy. Her main responsibilities include assisting with course promotions, email communications, and content creation. She enjoys using her writing skills and creativity to educate our community of drone enthusiasts.
Audrey has a Bachelor’s degree in marketing communications from Southeastern University.
Andrew Hicks
Customer Support Representative
Andrew is a Customer Support Representative at Drone Launch Academy. His role primarily includes responding to student questions via email or phone, reviewing course content, and providing overall excellent support to Drone Launch Academy students.
Andrew holds his Remote Pilot Certificate and is pursuing a BS in Business Analytics from Central Florida University. Andrew loves to travel and also owns and operates his own drone services business.
Dusty Jolley
Community Manager
Dusty is the Drone Launch Connect community manager. He’s responsible for setting up and running the community.
Dusty is an independent contractor that works with a production company & a local DSP in Arkansas. He focuses on mapping, cinematography, & FPV drones. He has had the opportunity to do a variety of drone work, from extensive mapping jobs, music videos, & projects for Amazon.
He’s been a Part 107-licensed pilot for 3 years & has 15 years of experience in sales.