Dreamer lands powerful career
April 2025
Kaleb Jeffries helps represent Sentinel Robotic Solutions at the 2024 Gaff-n-Go Rodeo. (photos by Jim Robertson)
by Jim Robertson, Staff Writer
Less than two years ago, Kaleb Jeffries was featured in Cooperative Living as a young man fixated on his future with only dreams of a real career. Today, he’s living out that dream following a fruitful internship with Sentinel Robotic Solutions. Thanks to a strong commitment to community embraced by the Sentinel team and the electric cooperatives they serve, Jeffries joined the Wallops Island, Va., company full-time in January 2024 as an engineering technician.
“It has been exciting to see his growth within the company,” says Jason Taylor, director of UAS programs for Sentinel Robotic Solutions.
Jeffries conducts online searches for relevant business opportunities for his employer at state and national levels. His responsibilities include reviewing both facility maintenance issues and engineering lab projects and tool organization. He assists with preparations for upcoming UAS classes and missions, while supporting company product sales.
“Kaleb approaches each of these tasks with a structured mindset, developing checklists to ensure every item is completed efficiently,” says Taylor.
Jeffries, diagnosed as a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, grew up in Chincoteague on the Virginia Eastern Shore with a passion for weather patterns and events. He turned the fixation caused by his condition into an advantage as he pursued his interests.
“My experience with SRS has been wonderful. I love working with drones!” exclaims Jeffries, who serves as Taylor’s secondary pilot in command and visual observer on missions. As a vital part of the flight crew, the visual observer assists the remote pilot by watching for other aircraft and objects while following the drone. One project planned during March included aerial inspections over 10 miles of transmission power lines for a cooperative in Kentucky, during which Jeffries would serve as the visual observer.
Jeffries also provides the meteorological aerodrome report during a mission.
“Being part of Kaleb’s journey in the UAS industry has been incredibly rewarding for our team,” says Taylor. “His enthusiasm for learning and his ability to adapt to new challenges make him a valuable member of our organization. We look forward to his continued growth as he takes on greater responsibilities in the future.”
Robin Sexauer, certified vocational rehab counselor for the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, played an instrumental role in connecting Jeffries with the right people and opportunities while attending Eastern Shore Community College, thus preparing him for his future career.
“He has more confidence and is becoming more independent,” says Kara Jeffries of her son, who recently earned his driver’s license and now drives himself to work each day. “I am so proud of him.”
Sentinel Robotic Solutions provides electric cooperatives with aerial system inspections and training for the Unmanned Aircraft Systems certification. To date, approximately 200 drone operators within the 16 member co-ops in Virginia, Maryland and Delaware have trained and earned their Part 107 UAS license.
