USA Drone Port Chairman Scott Alexander and Executive Director Bart Massey announced today that U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao will deliver the keynote address at the USA Drone Port’s First Responder Drone Conference on Saturday, March 30, held at Hazard Community and Technical College. SOAR Principal Officers Congressman Harold Rogers and Gov. Matt Bevin also will speak.  The USA Drone Port is a Blueprint Partner of SOAR.

The public is invited to hear the address and attend an 11 a.m. luncheon; however, those attending the luncheon should pre-pay the $15 fee.

Registration is going on now. Visit the website www.usadroneport.com for details. The link to the program https://www.usadroneport.com/program/

The link for the conference https://www.usadroneport.com/uas-1st-con-19/

Executive Director Bart Massey noted, “This is an opportunity for people throughout the nation to see that we are transitioning to a new economy. We are embracing and leading in technology.” The work of the USA Drone Port has been recognized by locate, state, and federal leaders. “We are exceptionally excited to see the interest from so many,” he said.

“This is an opportunity to see what work has been involved in preparation for the last two years and what is to come in creating a brighter future,” Massey said. “We have created a nationally-recognized training for First Responders and have attracted people from around the country for a premier learning experience. We are grateful for the amazing response and are exceptionally excited to have our friends in the industry to join us in the coal fields on Saturday, March 30,” Massey said.

Hazard Community and Technical College President, Dr. Jennifer Lindon, stated that she is pleased to have Secretary Chao, Congressman Rogers, and Governor Bevin on the Hazard Campus of HCTC.  Dr. Lindon shared, “HCTC has been a founding partner in the establishment of the USA Drone Port and is quickly becoming a national educational leader in unmanned systems technologies. HCTC currently offers four short-term certificates in the UST area including Remote Drone Pilot, Unmanned Systems Technology, First Responder Specialist, and GIS/Unmanned Systems Specialist.” 

The USA Drone Port’s work aligns with SOAR’s Regional Blueprint to train a 21st Century Workforce.