DRONERESPONDERS Announces Launch of North Carolina Chapter Leadership Team at NC DRONE CON

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DRONERESPONDERS Announces Launch of North Carolina Chapter Leadership Team at NC DRONE CON

Miami, FL – September 13, 2025 – The DRONERESPONDERS Public Safety Alliance, an initiative of AIRT (Airborne International Response Team), is proud to announce that the leadership team for the newly established North Carolina Chapter of DRONERESPONDERS (NCGRU) will be introduced at NC DRONE CON in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on September 22–23, 2025.

The announcement underscores the growing commitment to advancing public safety drone operations across North Carolina. The NCGRU will provide local first responders and public safety agencies with training, resources, and networking opportunities to strengthen drone operations that enhance community safety and resilience.

The newly announced NCGRU leadership team and steering committee represents a diverse group of experienced public safety professionals from across the state. The NCGRU will have Co-Chairs in three regions: Central, Eastern, and Western. In Central North Carolina, Captain M. Knight, of the Winston-Salem Police Department Criminal Intelligence Bureau, will lead as Co-Chair. He is joined by Corporal David A. Shaver, Drone Team Supervisor with the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, and Assistant Chief & Drone Program Manager David Kivett of the Lewisville Fire Department. Representing Central and Eastern North Carolina, Emergency Management Coordinator Zach Shean of Harnett County, will act a Co-Chair and is joined by Master Deputy Sheriff John Mills of the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office Air Operations, and Kim Breeden, Senior Crime Scene Investigator & UAS Program Manager with the Wilmington Police Department. In Western North Carolina, Captain Brandon Moore, Co-Chair, and Douglas Oeser, Co-Chair, both from the Asheville Police Department. Also in Western North Carolina Chief Steve Kelley and Assistant Chief Tony Pope of the North Canton Fire Department will join the steering committee. The team is supported by Business Manager, Amy Wiegand, of Earhart Alden & Associates, a longtime DRONERESPONDERS volunteer who recognized the need for a statewide structure after Hurricane Helene. Wiegand coordinated the project by successfully kick-starting the first regional NCGRU event in July 2025 in Asheville, NC, laying the foundation for this new chapter of collaboration and innovation in public safety drone operations.

“On behalf of DRONERESPONDERS, we are excited to launch the NC Chapter leadership team at NC DRONE CON,” said Charles Werner, DRONERESPONDERS Director. “This milestone represents an important step in building a strong statewide network to support safe, effective, and innovative use of drones in public safety.”

Conference attendees are encouraged to visit the DRONERESPONDERS booth to learn more about the organization and connect with the NCGRU leadership team.

Event & Contact Information

● NC DRONE CON Registration: Register Here

● NC DRONE CON on LinkedIn: Follow Here

● Event Inquiries: info@ncdronecon.com

● NCGRU Inquiries: amy@earhartalden.com

● DRONERESPONDERS: www.droneresponders.org

○ Charles Werner - charles@dronereponders.org

For those unable to attend NC DRONE CON, the NCGRU will host monthly virtual calls on the third Wednesday of each month beginning October 15, 2025 and will begin planning a NCGRU CON in 2026. If you are interested in joining the leadership team in North Carolina, please contact Charles Werner at charles@dronereponders.org.