Ft Myers Beach - Good Neighbor

FMBGN-Biz-Ascension Drone Services: Documenting Paradise Before the Storm

• "Cabo" Jim Schaller • Season 5 • Episode 14

Share episode

The resilience of coastal communities is put to the test when natural disasters strike, but it's in these challenging moments that true innovation and human spirit emerge. Jack Walker's story exemplifies this perfectly, as he transforms personal adversity into opportunity through his drone technology business on Fort Myers Beach.

Eight years ago, Jack and his wife made the leap from a Chicago suburb to the sunny shores of Fort Myers Beach, drawn by its beauty and community. Like many residents, Hurricane Ian dramatically altered their lives, but instead of defeat, Jack found purpose. Drawing on his 30+ years of insurance industry experience, he launched Ascension Drone Services to address a critical need: documenting property conditions before and after storms to streamline insurance claims. "A picture tells a story of a thousand words," Jack explains, highlighting how drone footage can capture comprehensive evidence of roofing, AC units, and structural elements that proves invaluable during claims processing.

What makes Jack's vision particularly compelling is his forward-thinking approach. While currently focused on documentation and dramatic real estate marketing videos, he's positioning his company to revolutionize roof cleaning through drone technology. This innovation would eliminate the dangers faced by workers who currently risk falls and damage to fragile tile roofs. Though battery limitations mean this vision is still developing, it represents the kind of creative problem-solving that rebuilding communities need.

Beyond business, Jack's story reveals the deeper transformation many experience after disaster. His faith deepened substantially after Ian, giving him a new perspective on life and community. His wife Trista's extensive volunteer work with the Red Cross, delivering meals to shocked residents, illustrates the community bonds that make Fort Myers Beach special. Despite facing multiple hurricanes in recent years, Jack remains remarkably optimistic: "In five years this place is going to be a gold mine." To learn more about Ascension Drone Services or connect with Jack, call 239-851-5900 or email happyjackwalker@gmail.com.

Ascension Drone Services
Jack Walker
239-851-5900
happyjackwalker@gmail.com

Ft Myers Beach-Good Neighbor
To Nominate Someone to be Featured
Or
To Subscribe to the Newsletter
CLICK HERE
https://cabowabojim.com/listen-to-podcasts/

Speaker 1:

Welcome to the Fort Myers Beach Good Neighbor podcast, where the sun's always shining and the stories are even brighter. Each episode we bring you closer to the neighbors, local legends and beachside businesses that make Fort Myers Beach the slice of paradise we all love. Pull up a beach chair, grab a drink and let's meet the people who make this island feel like home. We want to send out some island love to Eric Tibbs from Edward Jones State Insurance USA and Home Well Care Services Fort Myers. Welcome to Fort Myers Beach good neighbors.

Speaker 2:

We're all about no shade just sunshine, drama-free, positive vibes only right. So let's get. Today we have good neighbor Jack Walker from Ascension Drone Services. Welcome, Thank you. Yeah, pleasure to have you on, let's just jump right into it. Why don't you share a little bit about your story and what you do here in Fort Myers Beach?

Speaker 3:

Sure, yeah, we moved down to Fort Myers Beach about eight years ago from a Chicago suburb, arlington Heights, illinois, and you know we had always loved southwest Florida and had vacation down here quite often, have both friends and family in Cape Coral. So we knew the area pretty well. And actually my company was in the process, my insurance agency was in the process of getting bought by a larger firm and my wife and I thought, boy, if we're ever going to move down, this is the time. So we went ahead and took the plunge and actually we were looking at homes in Cape Coral and a friend from Cape Coral said, hey, you know, you really ought to check out Fort Myers Beach. And so I did.

Speaker 3:

I came down kind of by myself, because I was, you know, started working another job down here. My wife was still in Illinois and sure enough, there was a place that was available off season for six months right on the beach and um, so I kind of swooped it up and, uh, told my wife the good news and you know she couldn't believe it at first that we were going to be right on the beach. And she said you know, by the way, if you're, if you're kidding me right now I'm divorcing you. So luckily I wasn't kidding. And uh, she came down and just could not believe the community we had.

Speaker 3:

We had been to Fort Myers Beach many occasion via boat and you know, do the usual Lonnie Kai thing and hang out by boat there. And you know we're aware of fort myers beach. But we weren't totally aware. And so we, um, we stated that we rented that place for six months and we found more permanent location and um, you know then, uh, as it turned out, uh, ian hit us, of course, three years ago, as everybody knows, and that kind of changed everything for us, and so we're slowly but surely kind of making our way back.

Speaker 2:

That's the way to do it. It's about the community and coming together and helping each other. And yeah, you're right, you hit the nail on the head there. You know it is a great community and once you become involved in it you realize how great the people are and how supportive the people are. You know, it's funny you mention I'm from Illinois too.

Speaker 3:

Actually.

Speaker 2:

I lived in LA tonight for a little while. I went to grade school there.

Speaker 3:

Yep, you're a Packers fan and a Brewers fan, right?

Speaker 2:

Well, you know, yes, I like the Packers, I support the Packers, but they weren't very good when I was growing up, so I became a Cowboy fan. So, hey, cheerleaders, can you blame me? I don't know, right. But I think they're Brewers right now. So I'm sorry about the Cubs, but the brewers are doing great.

Speaker 3:

So they're, they're on fire Free burgers. I saw George.

Speaker 2:

Webb Got to love that Right, See Wisconsin. Yeah, yeah, you do so you started your own business down here now.

Speaker 3:

Yes.

Speaker 2:

Ascension Drone Services. What's that all about?

Speaker 3:

Yes, French and drone services. What's that all about? Yes, we're really excited about it. I guess phase one of our company involves insurance work and I've been, of course, in the insurance industry for 30 plus years and I know how claims work and document documentation is the key, and you've got to do that with video equipment if possible, so that's always been the rule. You know, everybody has heard the stories before about agents saying hey, look, document all your property, all your possessions inside your house and make sure that the company is aware of that. The company's aware of that. It's the same idea for homeowners and building owners condo buildings.

Speaker 3:

We want to document the condition of the building before a storm and make sure that we've got all of the roofing equipment, the AC units, the terraces, the balconies, the lanais, all of that equipment. We want to show that's in perfect condition prior to the storm. And then you know, hopefully we don't have another storm, but if we do, our company will come back out and do another documentation of the damage. And you know, a picture tells a story of a thousand words. It becomes very easy for the carriers to see the insurance companies, to see what the damage is and they can have also a real good idea of what the cost to replace that's going to be. And you know it definitely will make the claims process much smoother and really carriers are looking, the insurance companies are looking for that too and kind of surprisingly, it's underutilized. I think people are starting to get the idea that you know, maybe we ought to take some pictures of our roofs or of our buildings, but a lot of times it doesn't get done, or if it does, it's just a few snapshots, you know, on the ground, which doesn't get a full picture of the roof. So that's that's idea.

Speaker 3:

That's the first phase, along with real estate and marketing work, because we're doing some kind of dramatic videos with our, with our drones. We've got an FPV drone. It's just like riding a roller coaster and does some really cool stuff. You can take it inside and get footage inside and you know it's just it's it's some really cool things going on with technology and want to be involved in that really cool things going on with technology and want to be involved in that.

Speaker 3:

And then phase two of our company is going to be washing, cleaning tile roofs with a drone, because right now, you know, workers get up there and they break tiles and it's a dangerous job. They fall off and it's just. It's's a tough gig and it takes a while doing it the way that they're doing it now. With the drone you could do it a lot quicker and easier and a lot safer too, and we're not quite there yet with the technology. The battery life on these drones is not quite where it needs to be to go full force on that yet, but we want to be on the cutting edge of drone technology and be involved in that. As soon as the technology is a little bit better, when the battery life increases which it will in a couple of years, I'm betting on it then we'll be ready to rock and roll.

Speaker 2:

That's exciting stuff, you know. Technology is always, you know, some people dread it, but most people embrace it because it does make things a lot easier and, like you said, especially in this scenario, uh, safer for people as well too so, and it's a lot more dramatic too, the footage.

Speaker 3:

Just the cameras are so great on these drones and you can get some incredible shots. And, just again, the technology is amazing and it brings things really to life. And with the documentation as well, yeah, I can get inches away from a roof if I need to and you know, show exactly the condition and that's what's kind of cool.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, that aerial view really helps. And you said, hey, you don't have to get up on a ladder and get up on a roof and whip the camera out. Right, it's a lot easier. Yeah, so Fort Myers Beach, are there things that you're involved with or maybe like to be involved with, as far as maybe giving back to the community or supporting the community?

Speaker 3:

Yeah, we've been involved pretty heavily. My wife especially with the Red Cross. She delivered, kind of boy countless meals to people. You know, after the two storms last year, especially Milton, you know when people were kind of in a state of shock and you know working on their homes just shoveling stuff out again and doing all that dirty work and a lot of times they wouldn't take a degree. We're really out there and helping people out. My wife, trista Walker, and you know she's been been part with Alex King Group and they did a great job of, like I said, delivering those, those meals and water and and trying to bring some good cheer because that was a tough time.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, I mean, you dread going through it one time, but going through it three different times, you know, within a matter of years, is not fun in any aspect at all. No, but appreciative of the support that, like I said, the community and the businesses around it have given as well too.

Speaker 3:

So great way to give back.

Speaker 2:

So you mentioned boating as an activity like doing outside. I mean, obviously you're from Illinois, you know snow sports are ideal down here. But when you get a moment of free time, what do you enjoy doing outside of work? What do you?

Speaker 3:

enjoy doing outside of work. You know we've been very much into fishing, boating, kayaking, paddle boarding, kind of all the great water sports that we've got just right here, and we love doing that kind of stuff Any of that stuff is just a joy, joy, yep.

Speaker 2:

That's why we live down here, so we can get out and enjoy it year round, right? Not just during the summer season. For that short little window yeah, yeah exactly. I never understood why people owned a boat up north. Because you use it for you know you store it for what nine months and use it for three months.

Speaker 3:

Yep, well, I mean, boaters are a different breed. They just love the water and any chance they get they're going to be out there. I get it, I get it.

Speaker 2:

So is there one thing you wish our listeners knew about what you do, or maybe just the Fort Myers Beach community in general that they wouldn't be too familiar with?

Speaker 3:

I didn't catch that question quite.

Speaker 2:

Is there one thing that you wish our listeners knew about you that maybe they wouldn't be too familiar with?

Speaker 3:

Well, you know, certainly everybody on this island you know went through a change after Ian. I could pretty much guarantee that and you know my change personally was faith based and I became that much closer to God and to Christ after certainly after the storm and really changed my way of thinking.

Speaker 2:

Because you have a different perspective, doesn't it? Oh, absolutely thinking yeah, because you have a different perspective, doesn't it? Oh, absolutely, Definitely yeah. So final question how would our listeners go about contacting you if they had some questions about your drone service or needed that assistance?

Speaker 3:

Yeah, first thing they can do is just call me on my cell phone. Yeah, and I can 239-851 on my cell phone and I can 239-851-5900 for Ascension, and then right now my email for Ascension, because we're just kind of starting out the last couple months it's happyjackwalker at gmailcom and we're in the process. Actually, we're finalizing this weekend our website, so I'll have somebody wanted to call me or or shoot me a email. I can get get more information on the on the website too after this weekend very nice, very nice things are looking up yeah unintended right yeah, you're right.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, we're taking off right you go.

Speaker 2:

Any last words for our listeners today.

Speaker 3:

I'm sorry.

Speaker 2:

Any last words for our listeners today.

Speaker 3:

No, just like I said, this community is very resilient and it's taken some time to get where we're at. But you know I've said it a million times it feels like in five years this place is going to be a gold mine, and what a place to be it really is. It's going to be pretty cool the next few years to see the growth.

Speaker 2:

Yep, it's changing. It'll be better. It'll be better for sure. So looking forward to that, but appreciate you being such a good neighbor and we'll see you on the beach soon.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, sounds good, thank you.

Speaker 1:

Thanks for tuning in to the Fort Myers beach Good neighbor podcast, where community meets paradise. If you love what you heard, share it with a friend and keep the good vibes going until next time. Stay sunny, stay salty and keep being a good neighbor. Also, to nominate your favorite neighbors, local legends, heroes or island businesses to be on the show, go to CaboWaboGymcom. That's CaboWaboGymcom, or call 239-427-4100. We want to send out some island love to Eric Tibbs from Edward Jones State Insurance USA and Home Well Care Services Fort Myers. They are the businesses that allow us to share the soul of our community with every listener, from local stories to the positive vibe of island life. Here's to celebrating all that makes Fort Myers Beach the slice of paradise we all love.