Cloverland Electric’s CEO Appointed to State’s Unmanned Aerial Systems Task Force

DAFTER, Mich. (Dec. 6, 2021) – Cloverland Electric’s President and CEO, Mike Heise, has been re-appointed to Michigan’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) taskforce. Heise’s four-year term commenced Oct.15, 2021 and continues until July 25, 2025.

The 27-member task force is represented by a range of industries from across the state. Heise was nominated by the chairperson of the Michigan Public Service Commission to represent utilities serving the Upper Peninsula. The task force provides guidance to Governor Whitmer as Michigan prepares for the future of private and commercial drone use.

“I am proud to represent Upper Peninsula utilities on the UAS task-force,” Heise states. “Unmanned aerial systems are an asset to Michigan utilities, including Cloverland and we are excited about integrating drones in our work at the co-op

As Cloverland Electric Cooperative’s CEO, Heise championed the need for a drone program at the cooperative. Launching the program in 2021, cooperative employees have been training to understand flight dynamics, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules and regulations, drone operations and privacy standards to best serve the membership. Drone technology provides many applications such as equipment inspection, line inspection, storm damage assessment, vegetation management evaluation and videography. UAS technology is ever evolving and with a strong training base, Cloverland employees are best positioned to use this technology in the cooperative’s mission of providing safe and reliable electricity to all 34,000 members.