Awards & Media

At Birds Eye Aerial Drones, we take pride in the recognition we’ve received from both industry leaders and the media. Our commitment to safety, innovation, and excellence has made us a trusted name in drone services, and the accolades we’ve earned reflect our dedication to going above and beyond for our clients and communities.

Below are some of our notable awards and media features that showcase the value we bring to industries such as utilities, construction, agriculture, and environmental management.

Awards & Recognitions

VALOR Veteran Spouse of the Year Nominee (2024)

Honoring Sheri Painter, co-founder of Birds Eye Aerial Drones, for her exceptional leadership, resilience, and contributions as a disabled veteran spouse.
This prestigious award celebrates our deep roots in the veteran community and commitment to creating a place of belonging for veterans transitioning to civilian careers.

2. Women in Leadership Award Nominee – East County Chamber of Commerce (2024)

Highlighting Sheri Painter‘s entrepreneurial spirit and impactful leadership in the drone services industry, this nomination recognizes her as a trailblazer for women in business.

Sheri Painter

Co Founder | Marketing Director - Bird Eye Aerial Drones

3. CVEP iHub Innovation Recognition (2024)

Recognized by the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership for our innovative use of drone technology in sectors such as renewable energy and precision agriculture, furthering regional economic growth.

4. BBB A+ Accreditation

Awarded an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau, reflecting our unwavering commitment to client satisfaction, trust, and transparency.

5. Tier 1 Safety Contractor Certification

Honored for our superior safety protocols, positioning us as a leader in risk mitigation for high-risk industries like utilities and construction.

Media Mentions

1. WE USA Women’s Entrepreneur Magazine
Featured in a profile of Sheri Painter, sharing her journey as a co-founder of Birds Eye Aerial Drones and a champion of innovation in a traditionally male-dominated industry.Read the inspiring article

2. UAV Life – “Innovators in Drone Utility Inspections”
Highlighted as a leading provider of drone solutions for utility infrastructure, demonstrating how BEAD leverages advanced LiDAR and thermal imaging to revolutionize inspections.

Scott Painter

Chief Executive Officer - Bird Eye Aerial Drones

3. Utility Dive – “Safer Inspections, Smarter Data: How Drones are Changing Utilities”
Recognized as a pioneer in drone technology for vegetation management and substation inspections, showcasing our commitment to safety and efficiency.

4. Press Release: Commercial UAV News – “Strategic Partnership with Datumate”
Birds Eye Aerial Drones proudly announced its strategic partnership with Datumate, as featured in Commercial UAV News. Together, the collaboration aims to revolutionize aerial surveying by combining BEAD’s advanced drone technology with Datumate’s cutting-edge data analytics solutions. This partnership enhances efficiency, accuracy, and safety in construction, infrastructure, and surveying projects, offering clients an unparalleled end-to-end aerial data solution. Read the full press release here.

5. California High-Speed Rail Authority – “Outstanding Small Business & VIB Advocate”
Recognized as an Outstanding Small Business and a dedicated advocate for Veteran and Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses (VIB) by the California High-Speed Rail Authority. This acknowledgment highlights our commitment to championing veteran entrepreneurship while supporting large-scale infrastructure projects with innovative drone solutions.

6. 2024 Leaders of Influence in Technology: Scott Painter, CEO of BEAD, and John Cooper, Director of Flight Operations, were honored as 2024 Leaders of Influence in Technology by SDBJ. This accolade highlights their pioneering work in drone technology and its transformative impact across various sectors. Birdseye Aerial Drones

7. TechCrunch – “Drone Services Shaping the Future of Construction”

Featured as a case study for BEAD’s role in providing real-time data for construction site monitoring and topographical surveys.

8. KESQ News Channel 3: In March 2024, BEAD was inducted into the Palm Springs iHub business incubator program by the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership (CVEP). Originally based in San Diego, BEAD relocated to the Coachella Valley to offer services such as 3D mapping and thermal imaging to local industries, including water management, construction, golf, and agriculture. The company emphasized its commitment to job creation in the region.

News Channel 3_BEAD

9. Collabs.io Magazine: An interview with Sheri Painter detailed the entrepreneurial journey of BEAD, highlighting the company’s expansion from a two-person operation to a team of over 150 within three years.

Collabs

10. Women and Drones: Sheri Painter shared her experiences in an article titled “Service, Strength and Self-Discovery,” reflecting on her transition from a Navy wife to an entrepreneur in the drone industry.

11. Geospatial World: The partnership between Datumate and BEAD was featured, emphasizing their collaborative efforts to transform surveying practices for engineering and construction firms worldwide. Geospatial World

12. Lead On Podcast – “Entrepreneurial Lessons and Military Spouse Insights”
Sheri Painter, Co-Founder of Birds Eye Aerial Drones, was featured on the Lead On – Lessons from Military Leaders podcast. In Episode 30, titled “Entrepreneurial Lessons and Military Spouse Insights,” Sheri shares her journey as a Navy veteran spouse, entrepreneur, and leader. She offers advice for military spouses entering the business world, insights into founding BEAD, and strategies for hiring and business development. This engaging episode highlights Sheri’s inspiring leadership and the innovative work of BEAD in advancing drone technology across industries. Listen to the episode here.

Why This Matters

Our awards and media recognition reflect not only our success but also our dedication to delivering innovative, client-focused drone & GIS solutions. From national honors to local accolades, these achievements reaffirm our commitment to:

Safety

Setting the gold standard for drone operations.

Innovation

Pioneering new applications for drone technology across diverse industries.

Integrity

Building trust with our clients through transparency and results.

Stay Updated

Check back often for updates on our latest awards, media features, and industry achievements. At Birds Eye Aerial Drones, we’re proud to be a trusted partner in innovation, safety, and excellence.

Want to learn more?

BEAD Global

1940 Joe Crosson Dr
El Cajon, CA 92020

Contact us

(619) 886-0100
info@bead.global

Instagram

Twitter

Facebook

YouTube

Stay in the loop with our regular newsletters

First and foremost, BEAD is an SDVOSB company providing turnkey aerial imaging solutions and consulting to help you improve your ROI. For example, do you require actionable aerial data for mapping & environmental monitoring? Perhaps aerial imagery for the entertainment, AEC, utility or communications industry? In fact, we’ve got just the right solution to meet your needs.
Above all, we observe all local, state & federal flight safety regulations, as applicable and are $10M insured.