By Steffen Klenk
The Atlantic County Economic Alliance (ACEA) announced on Wednesday, March 1, that it has received congressionally directed funding to help veterans enter the workforce. The funding comes in the amount of $150,000 and will assist veterans in training to become drone pilots and seek employment in the state’s ever-growing aviation and film industries. Leaders gathered at the National Aerospace Research & Technology Park in Egg Harbor Township for the announcement.
Joining the press conference via livestream was Senator Cory Booker, who aided in securing funds through the program, which will be administered by the U.S. Department of Labor. “Showing gratitude for our veterans means providing them with the support and resources they need to thrive in civilian life,” Sen. Booker said in a statement. “I’m proud to secure funding for ACEA’s drone training program to provide veterans with in-demand skills training and job opportunities, as well as strengthen New Jersey’s aviation and film industries.”
Also on-hand for Wednesday’s press conference was Lisa Regina, a licensed drone pilot, filmmaker, and veterans advocate. Regina’s non-profit, A Write to Heal, focuses on offering training opportunities to veterans in drone and aviation technologies. She has also developed the Veterans Apprenticeship program, allowing those out of service to seek new opportunities the ever-growing drone and aviation field. The funds secured will cover the cost of training veterans in receiving their Part 107 commercial drone pilot’s license and allow those individuals to seek work in the field of aviation and film, as well as mentoring.
Regina has used drones extensively in filmmaking and plans to utilize them for production of a new television video series called “Heroic Episodes,” a new feature to be filmed in and around the Atlantic City area. Participants in the Veterans Film Apprenticeship program will be given opportunities to have filmmaking experience working on the series.
For people, like Air Force veteran Frank Sean Johnson, he is taking his drone pilots experience to the next level. Johnson formerly served in Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield, and lost use of one of his legs due to complications from a road rage incident twenty years ago. “My journey has never been easy; it could have always been harder.” He has since taken an interest in photography and acting and has since obtained his drone pilot’s license. “You see more drone activity out there, and this is leading edge stuff and something I want to be a part of.”
Retired U.S. Army Capt. Leslie Smith shared her experience with the audience. A member of the 29th Infantry, Smith was flown to Bosnia as part of Operation Joint Forge. She developed a blood clot during deployment and was admitted to Walter Reed. Overcoming a slew of challenges, Smith defeated the odds and survived, all while losing her left leg and most of her vision. In the years since, she followed her heart and pursued acting classes shortly thereafter, a bucket list item according to Smith. “I came to understand that it is truly a gift and a blessing to be given a second chance.”
Other attendees included Tony-Award-winning and director Joe Mantegna. Appearing remotely, he shared his gratitude and support for veterans in the workforce. Mantegna shared his involvement in the National Memorial Day Concert in Washington, D.C. in 2002. “That experience really changed my life, and created that hot button for people who have done so much for us.”
In a statement, ACEA President Lauren Moore says that additional training opportunities will soon be coming to the Aviation Innovation Hub very soon. The ACEA has teamed up with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Atlantic Cape Community College, and U.S. Air Force 305th Maintenance Group in a partnership to co-develop the Aviation Training Academy of the Future (ATAF). The facility will be located at Atlantic City International Airport, with authorization for funding recently approved in the National Defense Authorization Act.
More information on the Veterans Film Apprenticeship program and Write to Heal is available online at awritetoheal.com or by calling (609) 468-7474. The program is currently seeking partnerships in the community. To learn more about the ACEA and all their initiatives, go to www.aceanj.com.
