Professional Drone Service Providers
Omaha, Nebraska

James R. Schneider II & Dr. Jay Thomas

James R. Schneider II

Co-Founder | Chief Operating Officer (COO)

James Schneider is a co-founder of Blue Nose Aerial of Omaha and serves as the company’s Chief Operating Officer, responsible for day-to-day operations, flight execution, safety compliance, and technical performance. He brings deep operational discipline shaped by military service, federal law enforcement experience, and hands-on business leadership.

James is a combat veteran with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan and has served in the Iowa Air National Guard Security Forces as well as as a federal police officer for the U.S. Department of the Air Force at Offutt Air Force Base. These roles required strict adherence to federal regulations, operational precision, detailed documentation, and real-time decision-making under pressure—capabilities that directly translate into safe, compliant, and reliable aerial operations.

In addition to his public service, James has owned and operated a separate business focused on production, logistics, and client fulfillment. That experience strengthened his ability to manage workflows, oversee equipment and personnel, and maintain consistent quality standards—skills that directly support Blue Nose Aerial Imaging’s operational execution.

As COO, James oversees mission planning, equipment readiness, field execution, and quality assurance. His focus is on ensuring every operation meets FAA requirements while delivering dependable, professional results for clients across commercial and institutional sectors.



Dr. Jay Thomas, DBA

Co-Founder | Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Dr. Jay Thomas is a co-founder of Blue Nose Aerial Imaging of Omaha and serves as the company’s Chief Financial Officer, overseeing financial strategy, risk management, compliance, and long-term growth planning. With a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) and an MBA, Jay brings disciplined financial leadership grounded in both academic rigor and extensive real-world executive experience.

Jay is a United States Army combat veteran with multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, where he led soldiers in complex operational environments and earned multiple awards for valor, including the Bronze Star Medal. His military experience instilled a leadership philosophy centered on accountability, precision, and mission-focused execution—principles that now guide the financial and governance framework of Blue Nose Aerial Imaging.

Professionally, Jay has built, scaled, and advised multiple businesses across service, technology, franchising, and consulting sectors. He has led multi-state expansions, managed acquisitions, structured scalable operating models, and implemented financial controls designed to support sustainable growth. His expertise includes financial modeling, cost control, regulatory compliance, performance analytics, and enterprise-level reporting.

As CFO, Jay ensures Blue Nose Aerial operates with strong financial discipline, transparent pricing structures, and data-driven decision-making. His role is focused on protecting the integrity of the business while positioning the company for strategic expansion, long-term stability, and trusted partnerships across commercial and institutional clients.



Leadership Built to Execute

Blue Nose Aerial Imaging of Omaha was founded on a shared background of military service, leadership under pressure, and operational discipline. Together, James and Jay provide a complementary leadership structure—operational control and technical execution paired with financial governance and strategic oversight.

This structure allows Blue Nose Aerial to deliver not just aerial imagery and data, but a level of professionalism, accountability, and reliability expected by serious commercial, industrial, and public-sector clients.