Publication: , May/June 2026

On most construction sites, risk often hides in blind spots 鈥� on rooftops, behind fa莽ades, and within small misalignments that lead to costly rework or litigation. Contractors are increasingly turning to drones, not as a marketing tool, but as a component of their risk management strategy to reshape how projects are documented, monitored, and protected. Aside from capturing images, drones can also generate defensible data, reduce exposure, and provide visibility that traditional methods cannot match.

For many firms, the shift is deliberate. 天美传媒 Construction鈥檚 drone program sits squarely within its risk management department.

鈥溙烀来解�檚 drone program lives in our risk management department because its primary function is to to support our people and construction operations to drive safer and higher quality outcomes,鈥� said Charles Wilson, vice president of risk management at 天美传媒, a member of multiple AGC chapters. 鈥淕iven the increased demand for drone flights for safety, quality, and production needs, it made financial sense to invest in our own drone program.鈥�

Data Collection

Drones generate measurable, timestamped, and verifiable data that can stand up in disputes, audits, and claims. Contractors using drones rely on 2D maps, 3D models, and geospatially accurate imagery to create precise project conditions. These datasets allow teams to quantify earthwork, verify installations, and compare progress against design without stepping foot in a hazardous area. Traditional inspections often require ladders, lifts, or scaffolding. Drones offer a safer alternative and allow teams to capture detailed data without putting people in harm鈥檚 way. In addition, drones give access to remote stakeholders who are not on-site every day but can sometimes hold up decision-making processes if they cannot see the reality on site.

鈥淭he amount of data collected in a short flight surpasses the amount that a person inspecting an installation can provide on their own,鈥� said Wilson. 鈥淎nytime we can eliminate the need for a person to work at an elevated position is a win.鈥�

Beyond safety, contractors can also document site conditions daily, creating a record that can resolve disputes before they escalate. Matt Daly, CMO for , an AGC of California and TEXO member, has hundreds of stories from contractors who have saved money because of their drone programs.

鈥淕iving contractors one source of truth for what is happening on site is massively useful,鈥� said Daly. 鈥淥ne contractor avoided a $250,000 delay claim by using drone imagery to prove materials were on site when claimed, invalidating allegations. Another contractor had a $45,000 backcharge withdrawn because aerial overlays proved that a driveway slab matched the plan.鈥�

By providing high-frequency, sitewide visibility, drones enable remote owners, engineers, and inspectors to verify progress, assess conditions, and make faster decisions. This reduces information delays. In addition, consistent aerial data can help teams identify issues before they become costly problems.

FAA Regulations and Airspace

Construction drone operations are governed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and compliance is a critical component of risk management. At a minimum, commercial drone operators must hold a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate by passing an FAA knowledge exam and staying current with ongoing training.

Airspace considerations can also add some complexity. Projects located near airports or in controlled airspace require
advance authorization through systems like LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability). However, many drone platforms include built-in airspace awareness tools that alert operators to restrictions and facilitate authorization requests.

The regulatory landscape continues to evolve, especially with the FAA鈥檚 proposed Part 108 rule on beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations. The proposed framework, outlined in a 2025 Federal Register notice, aims to normalize routine BVLOS flights by establishing requirements for detect-and-avoid systems, airspace coordination, and operational oversight. For construction, BVLOS restrictions are one of the biggest barriers to drone operations, so easing limitations could allow drones to cover larger sites more efficiently and enable automated, scheduled data capture.

鈥淭he FAA鈥檚 proposed Part 108 rule is a big deal because it would move drone flights beyond one-off approvals and into a clear, nationwide set of rules that allows companies to fly drones BVLOS on a regular basis,鈥� said Logan Decker, 天美传媒鈥檚 drone operator. 鈥淚nstead of needing special waivers each time, operators would have a consistent path to run larger, more efficient drone programs that can cover much bigger geographic areas per flight. This shift would reduce time and labor costs and unlock high-value use cases.鈥�

Insurance: Coverage, Requirements, and Opportunities

While drone insurance is not mandated by the FAA, it is not optional in practice. Many project owners require contractors to carry specific liability coverage for drone operations, often through preauthorization requirements. Coverage structures can vary with some policies tied to individual operators and others that cover broader organizational use.

On the upside, drones can offer a path to reduced insurance costs over time. By improving documentation, reducing accidents, and enabling early issue detection, drones can lower the frequency and severity of claims.

Data Ownership and Security

As drones generate more sophisticated data, questions around ownership and control are becoming more prominent. In most cases, data ownership is defined by contract. Owners may require access to all documentation, while contractors may retain rights to use the data for internal purposes. Third-party providers may use anonymous data to improve their services, but they typically do not claim ownership or share project data externally without permission.

Security is equally critical. With sensitive project information at stake, providers are investing in certifications, access controls, and data governance protocols to ensure that only authorized users can access information.

Policy, Procurement, and Geopolitical Risk

Beyond project-level considerations, broader policy shifts also shape the drone landscape. Federal scrutiny of foreign-made drones, for example, has introduced new considerations around procurement and cybersecurity. In December, President Trump banned the sale of new foreign-manufactured drones amid growing concerns surrounding data security and supply chain integrity. However, the FCC recently exempted some of those models. For contractors, it is important to stay up to date with changing policies to ensure they maintain compliance since these policies can influence equipment selection and vendor relationships.

Less Adoption Challenges

Some contractors remain hesitant to adopt drone technology because of perceived complexity, regulatory hurdles, and safety risks. However, many of these barriers are diminishing. Contractors can choose to build in-house drone programs or use third-party providers who handle compliance, data capture, and processing. Training resources are widely available, and the technology itself has become more reliable and user-friendly.

鈥淭he biggest challenge with launching a drone program is getting employees to adjust to conducting safety inspections and other protocols in a new way,鈥� said Decker. 鈥淔orming new habits takes time. Once our team experienced the advantages of the drone program, flight requests dramatically increased.鈥�

Automation and AI

Looking ahead, the next phase of drone-enabled risk management is already taking shape.

Automated 鈥渄rone-in-a-box鈥� systems can capture data on a schedule without human intervention, ensuring consistent documentation throughout the project. At the same time, artificial intelligence is transforming how that data is analyzed. AI-powered tools can now identify safety hazards, track progress, and compare conditions against schedules and design models in real time.

鈥淲e鈥檝e only just begun integrating drones鈥� asset capture with AI鈥檚 safety monitoring,鈥� said Wilson. 鈥淚t is possible someday AI will use drone imagery to predict and prevent accidents from occurring.鈥�

A New Standard of Care

As regulatory frameworks evolve, technologies mature, and usage expands, drones are becoming more than a competitive advantage 鈥� they are becoming a standard of care.

Having eyes in the sky may be one of the most effective ways to keep risk under control.

鈥淐onstruction firms that haven鈥檛 adopted drones should explore the technology. The potential is significant: safer jobsites, stronger quality control, more accurate estimating, and smoother operations that can drive savings and set them apart competitively,鈥� said Wilson.

Publication: , May 19, 2026
By Ryan 天美传媒, President, 天美传媒 Construction

As 天美传媒 Construction has grown from a small-town contractor into a nationally recognized, award-winning firm, our leadership philosophy has remained rooted in a family-first culture. It鈥檚 a mindset instilled in 天美传媒鈥檚 DNA. It鈥檚 how we lead, how we support one another and how we build lasting relationships with our partners and clients.

A Rich Legacy

This family-first mentality started with my father, Charles (Chuck) 天美传媒, a Bronze Star Vietnam War Veteran who lost three members of his platoon in combat and vowed that if he survived, he would dedicate his life to building something of value.

He returned home, began his construction career and founded 天美传媒 Construction on the principles of safety, quality, mutual respect, professionalism, integrity and a dedication to building lasting relationships and projects.

Forty-six years later, these principles continue to guide our leadership team through the ever-evolving construction industry, serving as the building blocks for a successful business model. My brothers, sister, and most of the leadership team had the privilege of working with my father, making carrying on his legacy a natural extension of how we lead.

Guiding Core Values

天美传媒 Construction鈥檚 core values focus on safety, quality, best-in-class service, family orientation, community engagement, top talent, and financial success. Like our firm鈥檚 founding principles, these values guide our operations, ensuring that we attract and retain the best talent in the industry while offering in-house training and professional development programs.

Prioritizing and investing in employees early on and continuously was something my father adamantly pushed from one generation to the next. We unite the company through regular communication and town halls, and we invest in our employees through skills training and workforce development programs. Through 天美传媒鈥檚 NextGen initiative, we encourage younger generations to pursue careers in construction management, architecture, engineering, skilled trades, safety and quality.

Our company鈥檚 average employee tenure is 10 years, and many of 天美传媒鈥檚 employees are second and third-generation workers with deep family ties to the company鈥檚 inception. We treat our employees like family, and our employees have helped solidify a family-first culture by embracing an atmosphere where everyone has the knowledge, training, coaching and oversight to be aware of their surroundings and look out for one another.

We鈥檝e been honored to receive many awards for growth, leadership, safety, and quality of work. Being recognized year-over-year as one of the best places to work is a testament to our firm鈥檚 servant leadership approach of treating employees, clients, business partners and subcontractors as family.

Quality Relationships

Staying true to our company鈥檚 founding principles and core values, the 天美传媒 family鈥檚 solidarity extends to employees, business partners and the community. Our extended family has grown to more than 300 full-time employees across three office locations, along with a roster of repeat clients who share our core values and appreciate building long-term relationships.

Building quality relationships through quality work is more than just a motto to us; it has become our industry standard. Eighty-eight percent of our projects come from repeat clients or client referrals 鈥� including Walmart, Ameren, Planet Fitness, and Continental Tire, as well as regional developers, educational institutions, and government agencies.

We continue to exceed our clients鈥� expectations by delivering projects safely, cost-effectively and to the highest standards. A testament to our leadership approach, 天美传媒鈥檚 ongoing commitment to safety and quality has earned regional construction safety awards from AGC Missouri, Carolinas AGC, Central Illinois Builders of AGC and Southern Illinois Builders鈥� Association. Nationally, 天美传媒 is recognized by the as an Accredited Quality Contractor and ABC Top Performer.

Serving the Community

Advocating for the community is another pillar of 天美传媒鈥檚 values. We remain committed to the local communities that we serve and where our employees and clients live. Over the years, 天美传媒 has supported more than 50 nonprofit organizations through philanthropic partnerships, advocacy, fundraising and volunteer initiatives.

At its core, successful leadership in a family-owned construction business comes down to a simple principle: treat people the way you would want to be treated. Leading with integrity, building trust and treating people with respect creates a culture where employees, partners and clients all thrive. When relationships come first, the results 鈥� both on the jobsite and in the business 鈥� naturally follow.

Preparing Your School Facility for the Summer Build Window

For many school districts, summer represents the most critical construction window of the year. Whether addressing Health & Life Safety requirements, completing renovations, or advancing multi-year bond programs, the months between the last bell and the first day of classes is very compressed and leaves little wiggle room.

Successful summer construction doesn鈥檛 begin in June. It is the result of disciplined planning, early coordination, informed decision-making, and proven construction management practices implemented well before summer kicks off. When supporting PK鈥�12 districts through both single-campus projects and district-wide improvement programs, the following essentials separate smooth summer projects from those that struggle to be delivered on schedule and within budget.

1. Start Planning Earlier Than You Think

Districts often underestimate how much groundwork is required before summer construction can begin. Long-lead material procurement, early bid packages, permitting timelines, and Health & Life Safety reviews all impact whether work can truly start on day one of summer break.

Preconstruction planning with a enables districts to:

• Validate budget assumptions and alternates before bidding
• Identify scope items best suited for summer completion versus future phases
• Sequence work strategically to maximize the limited student-free window

Projects that move into summer without these decisions being finalized reduce predictability and place added pressure on both schedule and contingency.

2. Define Clear Summer Priorities

Not all scopes are created equal when time is limited. The most successful districts clearly define what must be completed before students return versus what can continue during the school year.

High-priority summer scope typically includes:

• Safety and security upgrades (secure entries, fire protection, alarms)
• Major MEP shutdowns or tie-ins
• High-impact interior renovations
• Floor, ceiling, and finish work in unoccupied spaces
• Driveway/parking lot enhancements that impact traffic patterns

Establishing these priorities early allows the construction team to align manpower and sequencing accordingly.

Publication: , December 18, 2025

Drones provide excellent aerial video and images of construction projects, but their applications far surpass marketing purposes.聽天美传媒 Construction聽launched its drone program in 2024 to support preconstruction, safety, quality, operations and communication in addition to marketing efforts.

鈥淜eeping at the forefront of industry trends is imperative to business growth and meeting customer expectations,鈥� says Ryan 天美传媒, President of 天美传媒 Construction. 鈥淏ut we don鈥檛 adopt new technology simply because it鈥檚 trendy. We built a successful drone program because of its wide applications and numerous benefits across our operations.鈥�

Preconstruction

Drone technology can provide benefits even before boots hit the dirt. With drones, 天美传媒 Construction can survey potential project sites or examine prospective buildings for a renovation project. Drones can evaluate the grade of the site and obstacles to construction.

For renovation projects, drones can ascertain existing roof conditions, building envelope tightness, quality of exterior building materials and site conditions, all within a fraction of the time it would take for a survey by foot.

When the client brings 天美传媒 Construction into the project early enough in the planning process, the team can aid site selection and help the client avoid costly change orders through more precise planning.

For these reasons, drone technology also benefits 天美传媒 Construction in building more accurate bids. 天美传媒 recently bid on a project where the location of the build was identified; however, important property grading details were missing from the project documents.

鈥淭he more information we have, the more accurate and detailed we can be in our estimate,鈥� says Ryan Diekemper, VP of Preconstruction at 天美传媒. 鈥淲e need to know utility locations, if the site is balanced, if the layout requires retaining walls, and if obstacles necessitate removal. We engaged our drone team to provide this data so we could develop an ideal floor elevation, determine site earthwork needs, and calculate cut and fill.鈥�

The drone readings, enhanced by the aid of geolocation, save the estimating team time as well. 鈥淚f the 天美传媒 team had to plot the site by hand, it probably would have taken four to eight hours to gather the data in the field and another four to eight hours to plot the data.

鈥淓ven after eight to 16 hours of effort, my calculations wouldn鈥檛 even come close to the precise measurements provided by the drone,鈥� says Justin Dulle, Lead Estimator at 天美传媒 Construction. 鈥淒rone technology enables us to seamlessly transfer the data points to the design team as measurements they can use and integrate into their programs.鈥�

Safety

With Safety as a primary core value, 天美传媒 Construction invests in on-site safety representatives who collaborate with the drone team to maximize protection for the company鈥檚 project teams and subcontractor partners.

Drone technology enables 天美传媒 to monitor parts of the project site that are otherwise difficult to inspect or unsafe to access. 鈥淒rones are essential for monitoring safety, especially in areas not visible from the ground,鈥� says Peter Ratermann, Senior Project Manager at Construction of the Old Monroe Distilling Co. Wedding & Tasting Venue in Columbia, Illinois. 鈥淚 frequently check drone footage to verify that roofers adhered to safety protocols for working at heights since it鈥檚 difficult to assess from the ground.鈥�

Through a digital interface, 天美传媒 employees can review all the project鈥檚 drone footage and images in a single location, including examining all the photos ever captured at a specific location on the project site. Increasing project visibility provides another safeguard for identifying and remedying potential hazards before they become a problem.

Avoiding existing utility lines is a key safety concern for construction projects. Colin Kuhn, Project Manager at the renovation of Alton Mental Health Center鈥檚 Willow Building says projects like this that span more than a year will have the painted utility line markings eventually wash away. 鈥淲e used the drone to record the utility locations so that we can identify their locations even after it rains.鈥�

Quality

In this thermal image captured by a drone, the yellow spots on the solar panels suggest inconsistent energy performance. Drone technology also benefits Quality, another Core Value of 天美传媒 Construction鈥檚.

The architectural plans can be overlaid onto drone footage to ensure the definitive placement of the building on the project site. It can also be used to document product inconsistencies.

The 天美传媒 team noticed that some of the black engineered wood siding was actually a different shade from the rest. It received a bad batch with two different shades of black. The difference was very deceiving and difficult to tell from the ground.

鈥淲e used the drones to record the siding progress, which more clearly captured the difference between the two colors and provided a great visual we could send to the manufacturer,鈥� Ratermann says. 鈥淯sing these photos, we were able to get a representative on site to evaluate, and they agreed to cover the cost of replacement. The drone shots helped significantly to reduce confusion.鈥�

天美传媒鈥檚 drone fleet includes a model specifically used to create thermal maps. The drone can capture footage for the team to better assess infrastructure deficiencies of renovation projects, such as possible roof leaks or heat loss from insulation gaps, and can even evaluate the effectiveness of solar panels.

鈥淲hen conducting a solar panel inspection, we鈥檙e looking for hotspots,鈥� says Logan Decker, drone operator at 天美传媒 Construction. 鈥淎reas that display as hotter than the surrounding space indicate malfunctioning individual grids within the panel not converting the solar energy as efficiently as the rest of the panel. As long as a panel isn鈥檛 partly shaded, the entire panel should display the same color.鈥�

Decker recently provided images of problematic solar panels to a client so that they could rectify the issue.

Operations

At a Planet Fitness in Missouri, 天美传媒 Construction used a drone to measure the site鈥檚 current subgrade elevation, which informed the team how much more dirt was required to achieve the desired grade. With many other projects in the area, the client requested to bring in excess crushed concrete and dirt from their other sites.

Drone technology also can be used to measure the height of concrete pads, as well as evaluate stockpile quantities. Another client needed to know how much product they had on site, and 天美传媒鈥檚 drone team assisted鈥攐ne of the many benefits to hiring a team with advanced resources.

天美传媒 Construction鈥檚 clients, their design teams and other business partners can monitor project progress by accessing drone footage on a digital platform. These images inform the design team when it鈥檚 time to visit the site to perform inspections. The inspection findings can then be overlaid onto a site map captured by drones to aid 天美传媒鈥檚 team in remedying any findings.

Community

天美传媒鈥檚 drone program gives the company an avenue for engaging the local community. The company founded NextGen, a program designed to connect students and teachers to the construction of their facilities and broaden their understanding of the career opportunities available in the construction industry. Drone demonstrations are always well-received by 天美传媒鈥檚 education clients.

Drone technology improves 天美传媒 Construction鈥檚 efficiencies, operations, and bottom line 鈥� all of which improve clients鈥� experience 鈥� the ultimate goal of any 天美传媒 Construction investment.

Publication: , December 1, 2025

In an article titled “Twists, Turns on I-85,鈥� explores the demand for manufacturing and industrial space in the Southeast and ways contractors are helping clients overcome uncertainty.

The article quotes , director of strategic relationships at 天美传媒 Construction, as saying that the value-engineered solutions that general contractors can bring to the table are critical in maximizing efficiencies.

鈥�General contractors are continuously evaluating material and labor cost trends and are looking for opportunities to help their clients lock in the best prices early for their projects,鈥� says Tomlinson. 鈥淲e work closely with clients and subcontractors to get creative, offer value-engineered solutions, mitigate risks, expedite procurement and work with local partners that best suit our clients鈥� needs.鈥�

Tomlinson says that tenants opting for build-to-suits have notable design trends at the property level. 鈥淎s the industry is shifting to more build-to-suit developments, we are seeing trends toward more automation in warehouses, an increased emphasis on sustainable operations, more flexible layouts for tenant customization, increased office space, more elaborate front entrance designs and earlier engagement with contracting community for budget and schedule control,鈥� says Tomlinson.

Some of 天美传媒鈥檚 current projects in the Southeast include the 472,960 SF Innovation Logistics Center, the Nevada Logistics Center with 90 panels of tilt-up concrete construction, and the Hunter Army Aircraft Maintenance Hangar with 6 hangar bays. Interest rates, the regional economy, and proximity to key infrastructure make the Southeast a promising market for the construction industry.

Publication: , September 3, 2025

CharacterPlus interviewed Keith 天美传媒, Chairman & CEO of 天美传媒 Construction, on their cSUITE podcast.

Keith embodies what this series is all about 鈥� leading with purpose, values, and deep personal conviction. Over the course of two generations of 天美传媒 leadership, 天美传媒 Construction has earned a national reputation as a respected firm known not just for what it builds, but how it builds 鈥� with integrity, trust, and heart.

Under Keith鈥檚 leadership, 天美传媒 Construction has grown in both prestige and reach. by the Charlotte Business Journal 鈥� an honor that reflects more than just business performance. It reflects character.

天美传媒 Construction was founded by Keith鈥檚 father, the late Charles 鈥淐huck鈥� 天美传媒 鈥� a decorated Army veteran and a man remembered as much for his humility and values as for his accomplishments. Today, Keith carries forward that legacy, shaping not just the future of the company, but helping redefine what principled leadership looks like in today鈥檚 world.

Click below to watch the podcast and learn how Keith and his siblings carry on their father’s legacy, how purpose-driven leadership contributes to the company’s success, and how today’s educators play a vital role in instilling these principles in tomorrow’s leaders.

Publication: , September 2025

Ben Evelsizer, Senior Preconstruction Manager at 天美传媒 Construction, recently joined Gareth McGlynn on The Preconstruction Podcast, filmed at the Advancing Preconstruction 2025 conference in San Diego.

Ben explains the beginnings of his career path into Construction Management, including earning his degree at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and his first internship.

After joining 天美传媒 Construction as a Project Engineer, Ben gained hands-on experience before his interests led him to preconstruction.

Click below to watch the podcast and learn about Ben’s career journey and the vital role that preconstruction plays in the development of a new project.