Director of the NC Public Safety Drone Academy
Riley has been employed with the NC Community College System at Montgomery Community College for 17 years. Overseeing the college’s Public Safety and Emergency Services Department, Riley saw a true need for UAV/UAS education within the public safety sector and formed the NC Public Safety Drone Academy. The Academy hosts 20+ classes focused on teaching emergency responders anything from basic flight, search and rescue, natural disaster operations, active shooter, to advanced multi-agency operations. Most importantly, by establishing his Academy within the North Carolina Community College System, classes are 100% tuition free for all North Carolina public safety and emergency service members, departments, and agencies!
The Academy is a part of the NC Department of Transportation: Division of Aviation’s emergency flight team that has gained global recognition for their efforts during Hurricane Florence, medical package delivery and other events. Over the past three years the NC Public Safety Drone Academy has assisted the NC Division of Aviation in providing free educational workshops, demonstrations, classes, and meetings across the state in an effort to better educate all people to this growing industry and its possibilities. The NC Public Safety Drone Academy has also had the honor of being selected to run and facilitate all outdoor demonstrations for the rapidly growing NC Drone Summit held in Greensboro, NC every year.
Riley’s vision of creating the NC Public Safety Drone Academy has proven to be very successful; providing hands-on training by known pilots and industry leaders it continues to be a valuable training resource across North Carolina for various agencies, working groups, departments, and pilots. Riley believes that education and teamwork are the pillars of all UAS/UAV advancements, and will allow operators the ability to maximize the true potential of this growing technology.
Outside of Riley’s UAS training, he holds Bachelors of Science Degrees in Sports Management, Health Care Administration, a minor in Business Administration from Methodist University in Fayetteville, NC, along with a Master’s in Education Administration Degree from Western Carolina University. Riley is also a North Carolina certified fireman and holds various certifications and trainings in emergency management/public safety.
Currently Scheduled: Day 1 Session 2: Drones Save Lives
