Joseph Gates, 42, of Vernon, Connecticut, had built a bright career as a lighting and video system technician in the entertainment industry. Then the pandemic struck and his career turned dark. He was halfway through his work at the Belding Theater in Hartford when Covid shut things down completely.
Out or work and out of money, Gates was unable to find a job until he landed one at Aquiline Drones ”” the first drone manufacturing and assembly plant in Connecticut ”” as a drone technician. After only two weeks, he was promoted to production supervisor managing a team of 23 employees.
“I was terrified that my skills would not be a fit for a manufacturing tech position,” said Gates. “But I soon realized that all of my skills ”¦are applicable to this job.”
Similarly, Stephanie Hernandez, 34, of East Hartford never envisioned a career in high tech manufacturing, but when she connected with Barry Alexander, founder and chairman of Aquiline Drones (AD) in Hartford, the prospect of joining the growing drone enterprise was an opportunity that Hernandez couldn”™t pass up.
“It was perfect timing as I had lost my passion (she was working for the Harford Police Department) and was excited for a change in environment and career. I believe in Barry”™s vision for Aquiline Drones and I know it will be successful.”
Hernandez and Gates are two of the 25 newly hired technicians working in AD”™s manufacturing and assembly lab.
The company will continue hiring for additional production technicians as well as positions at a soon-to-be-opened showroom and retail store in Hartford, plus manufacturing positions at a larger facility within the state. For job inquiries, please contact info@aquilinedrones.com.
