Launching UAS Careers through Philanthropy

For Embry-Riddle students stepping into the fast-moving world of unmanned systems, opportunity often begins with access — to real clients, real problems, and mentors who understand how emerging industries actually work. For many, Sheri and Scott Painter are part of that first doorway.

When Sheri and Scott Painter (’18) founded Birds Eye Aerial Drones (BEAD) in 2014, they weren’t just launching a business; they were charting a course in an industry that was barely defined. At the time, drones were considered fringe technology — a curiosity in Hollywood, a novelty in real estate. Regulations were murky. Public understanding was limited. But for the Painters, the potential was unmistakable.

Scott, a 24-year Navy veteran with deep aviation experience, had seen firsthand what unmanned aerial systems could accomplish in combat zones. Sheri, a creative force and small business strategist, knew how to build something from the ground up.

Sheri, whose father flew for FedEx, is no stranger to aviation, though she has no interest in flying herself. “I love being around it. But I’m a creator, not a pilot,” she said.

Together, they transformed BEAD into one of California’s most versatile and trusted drone operations — and, through their involvement with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, into a proving ground where students can test classroom learning against real-world demands.

More than a decade later, the Painters are not only innovators in unmanned systems — they are mentors, educators, and philanthropists. Through internships, Eagle Consulting projects, and council leadership, they invest directly in the next generation of engineers and entrepreneurs, opening pathways that help students translate theory into practice.

From Cockpit to Code

Scott Painter’s journey began in the Navy, where he worked in aviation maintenance and flight operations. After retiring, he deployed to Afghanistan as part of Lockheed Martin’s defense operations. There, unmanned systems weren’t speculative — they were essential. He began building remote-controlled aircraft in his downtime and returned home determined to bring those lessons to the civilian world. BEAD officially launched in San Diego in 2014.

“I realized if I wanted the company to grow, I had to grow myself first, as a leader,” Scott said. That commitment led him to Embry-Riddle’s MBA program — not just for a credential, but to better understand the business forces shaping aviation technology. Today, his work on the College of Aviation Philanthropy Council reflects a belief that students deserve the same kind of industry-grounded education he experienced.

Sheri pursued her own professional development, earning a scholarship to UCLA’s Management Development for Entrepreneurs program. Her capstone project — a business improvement plan for BEAD — boosted proposal success rates and contract value by 75%. She also completed a year-long civic leadership course focused on East County, where their headquarters are based.

“I’m a lifelong learner,” she said. “And I’m most energized when I’m creating — whether it’s opportunities, relationships, or strategy.”

Drone First, Drone Always

While many firms entered the field by adapting existing services, BEAD was built from the ground up as a drone company.

“We’re not adapting to drone technology — we were founded on it,” Sheri said. “It’s what we do. It’s what we’ve always done.”

Their clients include major utilities, transportation agencies, and engineering firms across California. Drone-based inspections, imaging, and analytics have helped modernize infrastructure monitoring while reducing risk to pilots — a shift the Painters helped accelerate through early adoption and persistent advocacy.

From the start, the company emphasized safety and ethics. “We turned down more work than we accepted early on,” Sheri said. “If it wasn’t compliant, we passed. And that’s why we earned trust.”

Flight Meets Purpose

BEAD operates a hangar in San Diego housing more than 100 drones across multiple platforms, supporting projects ranging from fire mitigation to cultural resource surveys. Their work continues to push technical boundaries, including research supported by a Small Business Innovation Research grant exploring new methods for remote soil sampling.

But for the Painters, innovation is as much about people as technology.

“We don’t just want to be good at flying drones,” Sheri said. “We want to be useful.”

Giving It Back

For Embry-Riddle students, that usefulness translates into direct experience.

Through internships and Eagle Consulting projects, students work inside BEAD’s active operations — reviewing proposals, shaping communications, and contributing ideas to projects serving real clients. For many, it is their first exposure to the pace and expectations of a company built entirely around emerging technology.

“They’re more innovative than I gave them credit for,” Sheri said. “Now, I give them a prompt and step back. They take the lead.”

Both Painters serve on Embry-Riddle College Philanthropy Councils — Scott with the College of Aviation and Sheri with the College of Business, Security and Intelligence — helping guide initiatives that reduce barriers to entry in the unmanned systems field and expand experiential learning opportunities.

Their service ethic extends beyond campus. Since founding BEAD, the Painters have donated services annually to nonprofits and invited students to participate, offering a firsthand view of how technical expertise can serve communities — from supporting leadership development programs to documenting Navy traditions through aerial imagery.

“I love helping students think like entrepreneurs,” Sheri said. “Especially those who don’t know yet that they’re capable of leading.”

Legacy in Flight

In a rapidly evolving field, the Painters continue to help shape the future of unmanned systems while strengthening ties to Embry-Riddle — including opportunities for graduates through a satellite office positioned to recruit Prescott alumni.

Looking ahead, they hope their legacy reflects both technical progress and the people who carry it forward.

“We’ve helped drive drone acceptance for over a decade,” Sheri said. “And we’ve done it by showing up, doing the work, and sharing what we learn.”

For students entering the field, that example offers something equally important: a reminder that careers are built not only on innovation, but on mentorship, curiosity, and a willingness to open doors for those who follow.