We are a team of problem solvers with a passion to overcome many of the toughest challenges facing communities across the globe.
The Spright team is comprised of industry professionals including UAS pilots and mechanics, project managers, subject matter experts, and QA professionals. Our scope and breadth of experience allow us to adapt and elevate our solutions above typical drone services.
Leadership
Joseph Resnik
President
Joe Resnik is the President of Spright, and concurrently the Senior Vice President of Safety at Air Methods, the nation’s leading air medical service provider.
In 2018, Joe joined the Air Methods family, and in 2020 he launched Spright as their new drone subsidiary. Spright’s mission includes providing critical medical services and utility inspection solutions.
Joe’s aviation career includes over 26 years of experience leading Safety, Maintenance, Quality, and Engineering organizations at both regional and main-line Part 121 air carriers, as well Part 145 repair stations. He has previously held Senior Executive roles at commercial carriers including American Eagle Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Mesa Airlines.
Joe holds a BS in Aeronautical Studies, as well as degrees in both Aircraft Maintenance, and Aviation Maintenance Technology from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL. He is an FAA certified mechanic, fixed-wing pilot, and UAS remote pilot.
Justin Steinke
SVP, Commercial Business
Justin Steinke is the Senior Vice President of Commercial Business at Spright where he is focused on delivering scalable unmanned solutions into medical use cases as well as providing turnkey inspection services to electric utilities.
With 20 years of aviation experience and start up leadership, Justin brings experience in system design, manufacturing, analytic solutions and communication systems for the DoD and UAS industries. Prior to Spright, Justin led teams at Volair, LLC, GE Aviation AiRXOS, Data Into Knowledge (DN2K) and Simulyze, Inc., where he was responsible for solutions engineering, product management and strategic business development.
Justin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Technology & Finance and is a Commercial Rated Pilot and former Flight Instructor.
Jim Rector
Vice President of Operations
Jim Rector is Vice President of Operations where he is responsible for developing and executing strategic and global unmanned solutions across Spright’s logistics and inspection business lines.
With over 30 years of aviation experience, Jim has managed manned and unmanned aerospace portfolios and headed product management activities across both large companies and tech start-ups. Prior to Spright, Jim served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a naval aviator, Defense Acquisition Professional, and leader in several commercial ventures. In these roles, Jim was responsible for managing complex risk and delivering solutions for dynamic defense programs and commercial enterprise customers. He led the U.S. Navy/Marine Corps Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program Officer prior to leaving active duty in 2017.
Jim holds a Master of Science degree in Business Administration, DAWIA Level 3 in Program Management and has commercial ratings in both airplane and rotorcraft with flight experience in fixed-wing, helicopters and tilt-rotor aircraft.
Diena Seeger
Vice President of Business Development
Diena Seeger is the Vice President of Business Development where she focuses on connecting leading organizations with the value of Spright’s cutting-edge drone delivery solutions for improved healthcare and enhanced durability and reliability of electric power systems.
Diena is an innovation champion with broad industry experience working at the forefront of aviation and healthcare as both founder and executive leader for several investor backed healthcare and tech startups, as well as an analyst focused on safely integrating emerging technologies into US and European airspaces for the FAA and Eurocontrol. Through prior efforts with clients and partners such as Mayo Clinic, Healthways, Merck, Qualcomm, and Verizon she was responsible for strategic planning and business development, client relationship management, and product development.
Diena holds a BS in Mathematics and a MS in Statistics.
Travis Petet
Vice President of Technical Operations
Travis Petet is the Vice President of Technical Operations for Spright and holds the 14 CFR 119 role of Director of Maintenance for the Part 135 Certificate.
As a 25-year aviation professional he holds an AAS in Aircraft Maintenance from Idaho State University, an AAS in Aviation Maintenance from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, and a BAS in Aviation Maintenance, with a specialization in Safety, from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.
As an FAA certified mechanic and UAS remote pilot his career has included maintenance, quality, and engineering senior leadership and executive roles spanning Part 91, 121, 135, and 145 operations including Mesa Airlines and JetRight.
Through his ingenuity and drive to improve the safety, quality and performance of every operation he has been a part of, Travis has earned multiple NBAA Flying Safety Awards, and was a 2017 Top 40 under 40 Next Gen Award recipient.
Sam McDowell
Vice President Financial Planning and Analysis
Sam is the Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis, joining Spright in March 2022, after 20 years in international postings for US companies in a variety of settings spanning Asia, North Africa, Europe and the Middle East.
Sam’s career has included senior financial roles in a range of industries highly relevant to Spright’s major markets, including aviation, health care, energy, and geographic information systems. Prior to joining Spright, Sam served as CFO of a hospital in Abu Dhabi. His aviation experience includes 6 years as Director of Finance Asia Pacific for Continental Airlines.
Sam holds an MBA from the Olin School at Washington University and a BS in Cartography from the University of Wisconsin Madison. He is a licensed private pilot.