Profile – Drone Manager Nick Ross

Since joining the construction industry in 2023 as Granger Construction’s Drone Manager, Nick Ross has significantly elevated the capabilities and contributions of the firm’s in-house Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) program.

Nick did not come from a construction background. He was an Aviation Technology Specialist in the Air National Guard for nine years and had a passion for all things flying. After leaving the military in 2022, he obtained his license to fly drones and started his own company. As luck would have it, he contracted to shoot aerial photography for one of Granger’s projects. Shortly thereafter, Granger offered Nick a full-time position. 

In 2022, Granger’s drone services consisted primarily of capturing images of project progress and final photography. Under Nick’s guidance, the program has evolved into a multifaceted service unit utilizing industry-leading technology for a range of specialized tasks.  

Nick came in with a vision and it didn’t take long for him to start incorporating cutting-edge technology into the drone program, which allowed the firm to expand its capabilities and take visual capture services from an operational expense to a profitable service line. Under Nick’s direction, flights increased from 113 in 2023 to 215 in 2024, with billable hours increasing from 46% to 76% in that one year. This resulted in the program significantly exceeding its targeted revenue goals in 2024.  

“In just two years, Nick has completely transformed our in-house drone program, elevating it from a basic tool for progress tracking and aerial photography to a cutting-edge solution at the forefront of the industry,” said Darrah Dutton, Granger’s Director of VDC Services. “Through his leadership and expertise, we’ve integrated advanced technologies like drone-assisted LiDAR scanning, vastly improving our surveying capabilities, site analysis and overall project efficiency. His vision and dedication have been integral in ensuring we stay ahead of the curve, delivering higher precision and innovation in every phase of construction.”  

VDC Project Delivery

Granger’s visual capture services have played a key role in the successful delivery of some of the firm’s largest and most complex self-perform concrete projects. For example, when Granger was hired in early 2022 as the design-assist structural concrete subcontractor for the new Gun Lake Casino Hotel, the team had no idea the impact these services would have on helping meet strict project requirements for the 16-story concrete structure. Contractual obligations required Granger to provide 3D laser scans before each concrete slab pour, a service previously contracted to a third party. Nick utilized a drone with a 48-megapixel camera to collect data from the air and embedded location information into each image. These scans were crucial in documenting the locations of mechanical, electrical and plumbing conduits, rebar, post-tension cables and other components before they were concealed by concrete. The data can also be used to create accurate as-built documents for future reference and renovations, and to verify accurate craftsmanship or, conversely, identify potential problem areas early on when they are easier to fix. Utilizing an in-house drone service over the traditional tripod scanning system led to significant time and cost savings, as well as safety benefits. Additionally, it provides unparalleled flexibility, allowing the team to more easily adapt to schedule changes from pulling ahead work or falling behind due to inclement weather. This flexibility played a major role in helping avoid additional General Conditions costs on the project.

At the recently completed Genesee County Digester Plant project, our self-perform team had to construct two 45’-diameter, 62’-tall concrete digester tanks with steep cone-shaped bottoms. This was first-of-its-kind construction for the Granger team. Visual capture technology enabled the team to ensure the two 45’-diameter domed tank lids were prefabricated to the exact specifications BEFORE they were lifted into place – something that required a large crane to support the 45,000-pound steel lids. Anyone who works in concrete knows it’s nearly impossible to pour large tanks like these and end up with a perfect circle as shown in the specifications. Without this technology, a mistake would’ve added a tremendous amount of work in the field to modify and verify results before attempting to set it in place again, all the while paying steep costs for a crane to sit onsite while the modifications were being made.

Dozens of other Granger projects across market segments have benefitted from the visual capture services Nick was instrumental in implementing. These services include drone-assisted 3D scanning for floor flatness verification, topographic mapping and thermal imagining to help identify heat leaks, water intrusion, electrical issues and more. This technology helps project teams track quality and provide a valuable reference for future work and client inquiries.

“Nick’s forward-thinking approach has set Granger apart from our competitors,” says Ian Clutten, Granger’s Vice President of Preconstruction Services. “Not only has the integration of these advanced technologies helped improve our internal processes, but Nick continues to deliver exceptional value to our clients and further solidify the company’s reputation for innovation, quality and attention to detail.” 

Nick’s impact has been transformative, taking an existing service to new heights by leveraging advanced technology, increasing quality, safety and operational efficiency and generating new revenue opportunities. This evolution highlights his commitment to innovation and client satisfaction in the construction industry.