Corey Hitchcock is the Chief UAS Pilot for Southern Company. As part of the Southern Company Aerial Services department he oversees the development of methods, doctrine, and safety management for the UAS fleet across Southern Company. His background includes 12 years of transmission and distribution line experience as a lineman for Georgia Power. He holds a part 61 and part 107 certificate. While serving as a Paratrooper in the Georgia National Guard, he was exposed to UAS and immediately saw the significance of the technology and its potential for use across many industries in the civilian world. In 2015, upon his completion of service, he returned to Southern Company and became a student of the UAS industry, participating in the early chapter 333 work at Southern Company. In 2016 the UAS effort was formalized within the company and placed in the corporate aviation department.