Thomas Reese serves as the Chief Pilot for Crown Castle, the nation’s largest provider of shared communications infrastructure. In this role, Thomas leads the strategic direction and operational oversight of Crown Castle’s Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) program, supporting a network of over 160 internal pilots and their equipment nationwide. He is responsible for fleet management, pilot training, regulatory compliance, and UAS safety protocols that enhance the reliability and efficiency of infrastructure inspections and maintenance.
With over 1,600 hours of unmanned flight time and more than a decade of experience in UAS operations, Thomas has worked across both the commercial and defense sectors. A certified Part 107 remote pilot and an FAA-certified commercial pilot and aircraft mechanic, Thomas holds a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Science from LeTourneau University. His leadership in drone education, regulatory compliance, and enterprise UAS integration has made him a respected voice in the industry. He has spoken at numerous industry conferences, advocating for safe, scalable UAS programs in critical infrastructure sectors.