Our Team

Dr. Mark Collins serves as the Chief Operations Officer of DroneXperts, bringing a wealth of experience in unmanned systems and aviation to the company. With a Ph.D. in Unmanned Systems from Capital Technology University, Dr. Collins previously held the position of Associate Professor and Director of Unmanned Systems (UMS) at Indiana State University (ISU).

At ISU, Dr. Collins was responsible for instructing UMS courses to undergraduate students, developing new curricula, advising students, securing grant opportunities, and conducting research on the integration of unmanned cargo aircraft (UCA) into the National Airspace. His academic background also includes an M.S. in Aviation & Transportation from Lewis University and a B.S. in Industrial Technology from Southern Illinois University (SIU).

Dr. Collins holds several FAA certifications, including:

• Remote Drone Pilot

• Private Pilot

• Airframe & Powerplant Certificates

As an entrepreneur, Dr. Collins has founded and operated multiple businesses, including two sign companies and a property management venture spanning three states and two countries. His professional experience extends to the cargo airline industry, where he worked at Atlas Air Cargo Airline from 1999 to 2003. In this role, he served as an aircraft heavy check site representative and purchasing manager, overseeing labor and fuel procurement for over 50 Boeing 747 aircraft across international locations such as Singapore, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, Germany, and mainland China.

Prior to his time at Atlas Air, Dr. Collins worked as a Site Representative at AAR Allen Aircraft in Wood Dale, IL from 1995 to 1999. He also served in the Army Illinois National Guard from 1990 to 1996, further enhancing his leadership and operational skills.

Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Collins is an active member of his community. He is a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus at his local church and is happily married to Sulasa Bell. His diverse background in academia, industry, and entrepreneurship makes him an invaluable asset to the DroneXperts management team, bringing a unique blend of theoretical knowledge and practical experience to drive the company's operational success.

Matt Hatcher Lead Agriculture Spray Drone Instructor

FAA Part 107 & Part 137 Certified | Owner, Hatcher Farms LLC & Terraplex Great River

Matt Hatcher brings over two decades of agricultural and technical expertise to DroneXperts as the Lead Instructor for the Agriculture Drone & Sensor Course. A lifelong Iowan from Garnavillo, Matt combines a passion for farming, technology, and innovation to help producers integrate drones into modern agricultural operations.

Matt holds FAA Part 107 and Part 137 certifications, operating his own aerial application business, Hatcher Farms LLC, where he applies between 8,000–10,000 acres annually, including fungicide and cover crop treatments. Through his partnership with Terraplex Great River, Matt also conducts large-scale precision agriculture drone operations using advanced platforms such as the DJI Agras T50 and XAG P100.

His formal education includes an Associate of Applied Science in Dairy Science, an Associate of Applied Science in John Deere Ag Technology, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. Before returning to Northeast Iowa, Matt spent 15 years with John Deere, holding positions such as Instrumentation and Engineering Technician, Product Support Specialist, Field Product Expert, Training Instructor, and Territory Sales Manager.

Matt’s lifelong interest in technology began early—he built his first computer at age 14 and purchased his first drone in 2012. Today, he continues to explore how cutting-edge drone technologies can enhance productivity, sustainability, and profitability in agriculture.

When he’s not in the field or the classroom, Matt works with Oberbroeckling Family Farms and Oberbroeckling Enterprises, applying drone solutions that bridge innovation and real-world farming practices.