Jason Duckworth
Technical Operations Lead


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Jason Duckworth
Part 107 UAV Pilot & AI Implementation Director
Bridging maritime leadership with cutting-edge technology. 30+ years of experience spanning from U.S. Merchant Marine Captain to advanced drone operations and cybersecurity innovation.
About Jason
A unique professional journey from maritime leadership to cutting-edge technology innovation

From Maritime to Technology
My career began as a U.S. Merchant Marine Captain with 15+ years navigating vessels through unpredictable waters, making critical decisions in high-risk environments. This foundation of crisis leadership and operational excellence has shaped every aspect of my professional journey.
Technical Innovation Leader
Most recently employed as technical drone operations lead by Quest Corporation of America, I specialize in advanced drone operations, GIS mapping, and infrastructure documentation. My work with Florida Department of Transportation projects demonstrates expertise in translating complex technical requirements into actionable solutions.
AI + Cybersecurity Evolution
My passion for protection has evolved from safeguarding physical environments to securing digital landscapes. While pursuing the Google Cybersecurity Professional Certification, I am building hands-on experience in threat analysis, incident response, and security auditing, with a dedicated focus on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are revolutionizing these domains.
"Driven by a lifelong dedication to service, protection, and operational excellence, I apply a lifetime of leadership and technical expertise to defend the digital assets and infrastructures that power our modern world."
Years Experience
Commercial UAV Flight Hours
ESRI Certificates
Team Members Led
Professional Experience
Three decades of leadership evolution from maritime operations to cutting-edge technology
Technical Operations Lead / GIS Specialist
Key Achievements
- Subject matter expert for all drone operations including 2D/3D mapping, aerial thermography, and multispectral analysis
- Developed and implemented comprehensive SOPs for drone pilots across multiple project types
- Led drone videography and GIS data management for statewide FDOT, CFX, and Kiewit Infrastructure initiatives
- Performed technical GIS data application and maintenance for transportation infrastructure projects
- Advanced AI-powered solutions and information security implementations
Notable Projects
- Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) - Statewide motorcycle safety program
- Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) - SR 429 capacity improvements
- Hurricane Helene and Milton emergency response - 2D mapping with drones
- Multiple FDOT District projects including Hurricane Helene response documentation
- Kiewit Infrastructure - Pumping station mapping and documentation
Operations Manager
Key Achievements
- Managed daily operations for 30-employee ship construction, fabrication, and repair company
- Recruited, trained, and supervised specialized maritime crews including welders and shipfitters
- Pioneered company's drone program for aerial surveys and vessel inspections
- Managed sales inquiries, contract bidding, and client collaboration
- Maintained safety protocols and quality control in high-risk maritime environment
Notable Projects
- Led 21-year transformation of traditional maritime operations
- Successfully integrated emerging drone technology into established maritime workflows
- Developed comprehensive safety and training protocols for maritime operations
Co-founder & Network Administrator
Key Achievements
- Co-founded and scaled ISP technical support company serving 250+ ISPs across Florida
- Led team of 24 service technicians providing comprehensive technical support
- Designed and administered Windows-based network infrastructure
- Developed comprehensive knowledge base and standardized support protocols
- Successfully established company as regional leader in ISP technical services
Notable Projects
- Built scalable technical support infrastructure from ground up
- Established standardized processes that served as industry model
- Created training programs adopted by multiple ISP service providers
U.S. Merchant Marine Captain
Key Achievements
- USCG 100-Ton Merchant Marine Captain certification and operations
- Navigated vessels through unpredictable waters with critical decision-making authority
- Crisis leadership and emergency response in dynamic, high-risk maritime environments
- Mission-critical accountability for vessel safety and crew management
- Developed expertise in maritime navigation, weather analysis, and risk assessment
Notable Projects
- Successfully completed numerous high-stakes maritime operations
- Maintained perfect safety record throughout maritime career
- Developed leadership skills that translate across all professional environments
Technical Expertise
Comprehensive skill set spanning drone operations, GIS technology, Procore construction management, cybersecurity, AI power user capabilities, and leadership
AI & Data Science
Drone Operations & Aerial Services
GIS & Mapping Technologies
Procore Construction Management
Cybersecurity & IT Systems
Leadership & Operations
Professional Certifications And Licenses
FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot
Federal Aviation Administration
UAS Thermography, NDT Techniques, and Mapping
Specialized Certification
Google Cybersecurity Professional
Google (In Progress)
20+ ESRI ArcGIS Certificates
ESRI
Procore Project Manager Certification
Procore Technologies
Procore Admin Certification
Procore Technologies
Procore BIM Manager Certification
Procore Technologies
Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator
Microsoft (not current)
CompTIA A+ Certified Professional
CompTIA (not current)
USCG 100-Ton Merchant Marine Captain
U.S. Coast Guard
Featured Projects
Hands-on cybersecurity projects and major infrastructure operations demonstrating technical expertise
Vibe Coding Projects
Interactive Job Search App
A dynamic web application for job searching with AI-powered recommendations and real-time filtering capabilities.
- Built responsive job search interface with real-time filters
- Integrated AI-powered job matching algorithms
- Deployed to production with automated recommendations
Florida Cities Population Heatmap
Interactive data visualization tool showing population density across Florida cities with dynamic filtering and geographic insights.
- Created dynamic population density visualization
- Integrated GIS data for geographic accuracy
- Built interactive filtering and zoom capabilities
6-Month AI Learning Plan
Comprehensive strategic learning roadmap for AI skill development, including milestone tracking and resource optimization.
- Designed comprehensive AI learning curriculum
- Created milestone-based progress tracking system
- Integrated practical project implementations
Major Infrastructure Projects

Florida Hurricane Helene Response
Rapid deployment drone operations to document hurricane damage and support emergency response efforts.
- Provided critical damage assessment data
- Supported emergency response coordination
- Delivered real-time documentation for recovery planning

Central Florida Expressway Authority Projects
Advanced 3D mapping and documentation of major expressway capacity improvements and bridge construction.
- Created detailed 3D maps for project planning
- Documented bridge construction progress
- Provided visual content for stakeholder engagement

Statewide FDOT Projects Portfolio
Comprehensive drone operations and GIS services across multiple FDOT districts for various infrastructure projects.
- Successfully completed projects across 7 FDOT districts
- Provided GIS data for community outreach initiatives
- Supported major infrastructure development projects
Cybersecurity Projects

SQL Query Filtering for Security Analysis
Applied advanced SQL filters to analyze failed login attempts and identify potential security threats.
Technologies Used:
Key Achievements:
- Identified patterns in failed authentication attempts
- Optimized query performance for real-time threat detection
- Developed automated filtering protocols

DoS Attack Analysis - SYN FLOOD
Analyzed and mitigated SYN flood attack targeting critical infrastructure, blocking malicious IP addresses.
Technologies Used:
Key Achievements:
- Successfully identified attacker IP (203.0.113.0)
- Implemented blocking protocols
- Documented attack vectors and mitigation strategies
Botium Toys Security Audit
Conducted high-risk (Level 8) comprehensive security audit identifying critical vulnerabilities.
Technologies Used:
Key Achievements:
- Identified critical security gaps
- Provided comprehensive remediation roadmap
- Established ongoing monitoring protocols

YUMMYRECIPESFORME.COM Investigation
Investigated website compromise involving DNS attacks and malicious JavaScript injection.
Technologies Used:
Key Achievements:
- Identified brute force attack vector
- Discovered malicious JavaScript redirects
- Traced attack to compromised admin access
- Restored website functionality and security

OS Hardening Implementation
Implementation of advanced OS hardening techniques to enhance system security and vulnerability mitigation.
Technologies Used:
Key Achievements:
- Deployed secure Ubuntu VM environment
- Implemented comprehensive security policies
- Established continuous monitoring systems
Get In Touch
Ready to discuss drone operations, GIS projects, AI implementation, or cybersecurity initiatives? Let's connect and explore opportunities.
Contact Information
Professional Focus Areas
- Drone Operations & Aerial Mapping
- GIS Analysis & Infrastructure Projects
- AI Workflow Strategies
- Cybersecurity & IT Systems
- Operations Management & Leadership
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