Today, we are talking to Jamie Reford, Unmanned Sales Manager at Phase One. Jamie shares insights into his role, his fascination with the industry, and what he enjoys outside of work.
Jamie, can you share a bit about your journey and what led you to your current role at Phase One?
My first drone op was in 2019. I was scrambling to complete a Master of Landscape Architecture thesis, and there was no open-source data available for a high-res basemap that was critical to my project. A frantic internet search led me to impulse-buy a used Mavic Pro with the idea that I could map the site myself. I am eternally grateful to the pioneers of the commercial drone industry (you know who you are). These gurus battled through trial and error with hacked solutions and still succeeded in generating useable data. They were also generous enough to share their experience in online forums – providing enough of a blueprint that I could pull off a successful photogrammetry mission with ZERO prior experience. I was captivated with drones from this moment onward and have built a career in the industry ever since. It's been a deeply fulfilling journey to this point. I've made every mistake a drone operator can make along the way. Sharing these insights with Phase One customers and stakeholders is the best part of my day.
What fascinates you most about the drone industry?
The people. I can't think of another industry powered by such a consistently non-standard workforce. Everyone in the industry seems to bring unique backgrounds and insights, which makes this a compelling and often chaotic industry to be a part of.
Collaboration and the success of our customers is key. Can you tell us about an upcoming project or partnership that you are excited about?
Absolutely! We recently launched our new P5 payload in partnership with Quantum Systems. The quality and geospatial accuracy of the initial raw data and processed deliverables is astounding – especially given the P5 is small enough to fit in the palm of my hand. Bringing this product to market has been an exciting and rewarding process, and the initial feedback from customers has been overwhelmingly positive.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work to maintain a healthy work-life balance?
Exploring the rivers and backwoods of Oregon with my wife. We moved to Portland, OR from Toronto two years ago, and haven't stopped exploring since. Hiking, rafting, and fly fishing never get old.
#PhaseOne #career
