Meet the Team
We believe in the best. Which is why we have hired a team that looks at every task as a golden opportunity.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Jacob Howard
Jacob (call sign Crimson King) entered the drone industry in 2016, quickly learning and upgrading gear until he found he couldn't stop. As CEO, he focuses on two core principles: running a stable, sustainable business and ensuring the company adapts to continually meet industry needs.
Jacob sets the tone for direction and innovation. When he's not focused on strategy, he's likely imagining some new way to wow the next audience (last time he made the drones do backflips)!
Email: jacob@illuminatedrones.com
Lead Pilot and Warehouse Team
Tongi Finau
Tongi’s (call sign Tongolian) journey into the drone world has been one of serendipity. He had no idea what he was getting into, but now he’s ready to Illuminate the skies with us. From the ground up, you can count on Tongi being involved. His go-getter attitude has made him a valuable part of the team and you can always count on him to get the job done right.
When he’s not in the warehouse or out on the field, you can probably find Tongi in the kitchen. He’s an avid cook and baker with a natural spice for life! Once you get Tongi excited for something, there is no stopping him!
Chief Drone Light Show Designer
Nihat Algingul
Nihat Algingul (call sign The Hat) is responsible for overseeing all show files—from animations to lighting effects. As Chief Designer, he constantly experiments with new ideas and adds innovative touches to the shows, thus earning his call sign for all the magic tricks he pulls out of the hat.
Outside of design, he’s always sketching and exploring new concepts on his digital canvas, and frequently shares his ideas with the team. His hobbies include designing, experimenting with different visual concepts, creating short animations, and working on inspiring projects.
Pilot and Designer
Dalton Sessumes
Dalton (call-sign Drizzle) is a seasoned entertainment professional with experience piloting, directing, and performing in shows around the world. He has been an integral part of getting the company into the air since the early days.
Drawing on his unique background, which spans from the spectacular stages of Cirque du Soleil to his intense studies in quantum physics, his core passion is uniting high-level entertainment with cutting-edge technology.
Director of Awesomeness
Griffin Howard
Not only does he come with automatic skills being the CEO's son, Griffin also brings a contagious joy and attitude to every job he helps with. As one of the very first helpers in helping his Papa to fly his first test shows, Griffin has years of experience that even experts in this field don't have.
When he isn't Directing all the Awesomeness, he is being awesome at building Lego airplanes and absolutely killing it at Fortnite during Family Fortnite sessions.
Chief Cuteness Officer
Chloe Howard
As the Chief Cuteness Officer, Chloe has developed quite an affinity for the color pink and has guided that many a indoor drone show be "pink with pink" for coloring. However, her "Princess Bucket" technique for gathering batteries in the early days of indoor drone shows saved many a back from brokenness.
When Chloe isn't Directing the Cuteness, she is being cute by saying the silliest things, calling everything adorable and trying to pet any kitten that walks by. She also kills it at Fortnite!
Quinton Hansen
In loving memory of our good friend
Quinton Hansen was Illuminate's first hire and a fantastic person. As one of the world's best FPV racing pilots, Quinton brought a passion for drones and learning new things that has been sorely missed. Known for his room-filling laugh (you could hear him across neighborhoods!), Quinton had an energy for life that was contagious and genuine to a fault.
Fly high, QT!
