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SCiDUC is nonprofit organization managed my South Carolina state employees for South Carolina state employees. If you are interested in connecting with our members to expand your brand and support the SCiDUC mission, please contact us using the form below
SCiDUC is nonprofit organization managed my South Carolina state employees for South Carolina state employees. If you are interested in connecting with our members to expand your brand and support the SCiDUC mission, please contact us using the form below
Symposium Speakers
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Welcome and Opening of Symposium
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Nathan Hogue, Chief Information Officer (CIO), has worked with the South Carolina Department of Administration (Admin) — and its predecessor, the South Carolina Budget and Control Board — since 2001. Nathan’s career in state government began with an entry-level Service Desk position and since that time has served in a variety of IT-related areas including account management, contract management, customer service and leading the team responsible for the management of the state’s telephone system.
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Nathan most recently served as Admin’s IT Director, where he helped lead many of the agency’s technology projects and initiatives, including the successful launch and management of the Program Management Office (PMO). Throughout his professional career, Nathan has placed an emphasis on the development and fostering of strong relationships with his fellow state agencies. As CIO, he looks forward to continuing this emphasis and placing renewed importance on customer relations, business growth and retention, and the timely delivery of services.
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Be Air Aware: Cybersecurity Strategies for UAS in Critical Infrastructure
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Michael Lees has worked for the Federal Government for over 12 years in both a military and civilian capacity. He is currently a Program Specialist for the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Security Branch in CISA’s Infrastructure Security Division, where he serves as the team lead for the UAS Cybersecurity Line of Effort. In this role, Michael works to protect UAS operated by critical infrastructure, federal agencies, and SLTT from cybersecurity threats, and to identify and mitigate UAS-specific cyberattack threat vectors.
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Michael Lees
Department of Homeland Security
UAS Security Branch, CISA.
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Prior to his current position, Michael most recently supported Idaho National Laboratory's ROUNDS (Remote-Operable Unmanned Navigation of Drones) program where he assisted in the development of technology that enables sUAS to autonomously navigate complex indoor industrial environments without the use of a GPS signal. Prior to this, he served in the U.S. Coast Guard as an active-duty Petty Officer for 11 years. In this capacity he worked to protect the nation's critical infrastructure and was involved in the Coast Guard's Group 1 UAS Prototype Program Initiative (GUPPI), where he conducted and evaluated a variety of operational sUAS missions and trained other remote pilots for the program.
Michael holds a Master of Science degree in information systems, a bachelor's degree in Technical Management, and a FAA Part 107 Remote UAS Pilot Certification. He is currently pursuing a second master’s degree in disaster management.
Innovation and Defense: Joint Base Charleston’s sUAS and C-sUAS Programs
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Bradley Chase Barron is an accomplished Geospatial Program Manager and technical leader with extensive experience in geographic information systems (GIS), geospatial integration, survey data collection and program management. Based in Charleston, South Carolina, Chase serves as the Geospatial Integration Officer for Joint Base Charleston, overseeing the GeoBase geospatial program office. With over 15 years of expertise, Chase has led teams of military and civilian personnel, pioneered innovative geospatial applications, and modernized technical infrastructure, including securing over $2M in additional funding for data and contracts to support the GeoBase program at Joint Base Charleston. His contributions have spanned various roles, including engineering technician, GIS analyst, and project manager, where he supported vital infrastructure and operational missions for the U.S. Air Force and Army.
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Bradley Chase Barron
GeoBase Program Manager
Joint Base Charleston
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His contributions extend beyond technical achievements, including briefing senior leadership on programmatic changes, establishing enterprise geospatial policies, and driving collaboration across departments to meet and exceed organizational goals. Recognized for his excellence, Chase has received multiple awards, including Civilian Achievement Medals and the 628th ABW Civilian Cat II of the Year Award in 2023.
Chase’s leadership, technical expertise, and dedication to operational success have made him an invaluable asset in supporting military infrastructure and strategic mission objectives.
UAS Integration – Outreach and Education
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Diana Robinson is a Project Manager with the FAA in the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Office. Her focus is on outreach and engagement and she leads the FAA's UAS- Collegiate Training Initiative. Prior to the FAA, Diana worked as an Energy and Sustainability Manager for a local government in Florida and implemented a UAS program during her time there. She has a B.S. in Alternative and Renewable Energy Management, an MBA, and is a Part 107 certified remote pilot. Diana’s other experience includes a full career at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) where she was an Environmental, Safety and Health Compliance trainer during her last few years with ORNL.
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Diana Robinson
FAA - UAS Integration Office
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Agency Lightning Talk
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Tyler S. Jones is a GIS Administrator for the City of Clemson, where he oversees ArcGIS Enterprise administration, geospatial workflows, data management, and third-party integrations. A Certified GIS Professional (GISP) and FAA-licensed drone pilot, he focuses on discovering and implementing new mapping technologies, integrating systems into city operations, and enhancing asset management, utility geolocation, and drone-based surveys. He holds a Master of Forest Resources from Clemson University and a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology with a concentration in Sustainable Development from Appalachian State University. Before his GIS career, Tyler served as a Certified Arborist for Clemson University, managing tree inventories, risk assessments, and long-term vegetation management.
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Uwe Klauck is Uwe Klauck is an UAS Specialist and lead drone pilot for the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SC DES). Uwe earned his FAA Part 107 certification in 2016 and was DHEC’s first certificated pilot. After Uwe demonstrated the capabilities of the drone as a tool for safely and efficiently monitoring conditions at a waste tire recycling facility in 2016, SC DHEC chose to pursue the UAS technology and expand drone use into the various program areas within the agency. As part of DHEC’s UAV Workgroup, he played a lead role in developing the Department’s drone program. After the SC DHEC agency split, Uwe continues to work as part of an experienced team to help grow the SC DES program and train new agency pilots.
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Chad Beam is a seasoned public safety leader with nearly 20 years of experience in Fire and EMS. His career began in 2005 with South Greenville Fire District and Pelzer EMS before advancing to Greenville County EMS as a Field Training Officer and Rescue Technician. In 2012, he joined South Carolina Task Force 1 (SC-TF1) as a medical specialist, transitioning to a full-time role in 2015. Chad has also served as a SWAT medic and Deputy Director for Laurens County EMS.
Now an Assistant Chief at State Fire, he oversees Emergency Response, including Urban Search and Rescue, SC-HART, and firefighter mobilization. A Clemson MPA graduate, Chad has responded to over 20 federally declared incidents and serves in leadership roles with state and national search and rescue organizations.
Panel Discussion: How to Start a UAS Program
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Bill McMurrer Sergeant Bill McMurrer leads the Greenville County Sheriff's Office Drone Program, managing 50+ Part 107 certified pilots. With 28 years in law enforcement, he holds a Master’s in Criminal Justice and an MBA. Since 2022, he has expanded the program, enabling 24/7 drone deployment for patrol, search and rescue, and emergencies, revolutionizing aerial support across the agency.
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Lieutenant Andrew Godowns has worked for South Carolina Department of Natural Resources for 17 years as a Law Enforcement Officer. Lieutenant Godowns supervises six of the southern counties (Jasper, Hampton, Beaufort, Colleton, Dorchester, and Charleston Counties) in South Carolina. During Lieutenant Godowns's career he was selected as a Serve & Connect Gregory Alia Award Finalist, the State Officer of the Year for SC, NWTF Officer of the Year, Beaufort Rotary Officer of the Year, NASBLA Boating Officer of the Year, and the Shikar Safari International Wildlife Officer of the Year.
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Scott Newsome is the Director of Police Fleet, Infrastructure, and Air Operations for the City of Charleston Police Department. With 39 years of aviation experience, he is a commercial pilot for single-engine land and rotorcraft and an FAA-certified sUAS remote pilot. Scott has expertise in SAR, law enforcement, powerline surveys, prescribed burns, fire attacks, and TV/film aerial operations. He founded the Charleston Police Department’s UAS unit and serves as a FAASTeam Representative, earning the 2020 FAASTeam Representative of the Year award. Scott is also a member of the FAA Rotorcraft Collective Helicopter Safety Production Team.
Industry Presenters
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Scott Cullinane is the leader of Skydio's Critical Infrastructure and Transportation team. He specializes in helping transportation agencies integrate autonomous drone technology into transportation infrastructure management. With extensive experience collaborating with transportation agencies nationwide, he has facilitated the adoption of innovative solutions to enhance safety and efficiency in infrastructure inspections. Scott's expertise has been instrumental in modernizing inspection processes, resulting in improved data collection and operational effectiveness for agencies across the country.
