STATE

Kansas Department of Transportation names Air Force vet as state's first drone director

Bob Brock is a Pittsburg native

Luke Ranker
Bob Brock, a Pittsburg native who retired from the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel, will oversee policy and procedures for the operation of UAS, or drones.

The Kansas Department of Transportation has selected a U.S. Air Force veteran for the state’s first Director of unmanned aircraft systems.

Bob Brock, a Pittsburg native who retired from the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel, will oversee policy and procedures for the operation of UAS, or drones.

While in the Air Force, Brock gained experience in drone operations and training and served as a flight safety officer and instructor pilot.

“Bob has extraordinary experience with UAS and will play a pivotal role in helping develop our program in Kansas,” said Kansas Transportation Secretary Mike King in a department release. “Under his guidance, the state will become a national leader in the industry.”

Protecting the privacy and public safety of Kansans as drones become more common will be Brock’s top priority, the release said.

Drone offices will be maintained Kansas Department of Transportation headquarters in Topeka and at the Kansas State University Polytechnic Campus in Salina, which has a nationally ranked UAS program.