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Bozeman high-tech firm provides jobs for veterans and Montana State University graduates

Half of employees are veterans
Posted at 3:04 PM, Aug 20, 2019
and last updated 2019-08-20 17:04:10-04

Tim Sheehy is a combat-wounded veteran who returned home with a vision.

"After my tours overseas, I recognized there was a need for enhanced aerials supervision capability to be applied to the public safety sector," said Sheehy, CEO of Bridger Aerospace and Ascent Vision Technologies. "Whether that’s border security, whether that’s law enforcement, or whether that’s wildfire mitigation. "

Bridger Aerospace provides advanced aerial fire fighting services in Montana and across the country. They assist the Forest Service and other agencies year round in wildfire response and suppression.

The company started in 2014 with one plane and two people. Today they have twenty planes and more than 100 people working for the company.

Housed under the same roof is Ascent Vision Technologies, which specializes in the manufacturing of gyro-stabilized camera systems.

"Whether its Bridger Aerospace or Ascent Vision, the focus is principally on giving the maximum benefit to the critical people on the ground that we can, whether it’s a war fighter, soldier, sailor, marine, firefighter — everything we make is designed to make their jobs easier and their lives more protected," said Sheehy.

Bridger Aerospace and Ascent Vision Technologies provide the area with high paying, high-tech jobs. Many of the people that work here either are veterans or graduates of Montana State University.

"It’s incredible that our footprint here in Bozeman, Montana is making and helping the, not only military customers, but commercial customers across the world," said Ben Keeley, Engineering Manager with Ascent Vision Technologies. "In a global footprint, and really making an impact to National Security and global security."

The Gallatin Valley-based firm made national headlines recently after their technology brought down an Iranian drone that came within 1000 yards of a Navy ship in the Strait of Hormuz.

"Ascent Vision Technologies here in Bozeman has been a critical development part of the U.S Marine Corps and other parts of the U.S. Military in creating this system," said Sheehy. "It’s designed built and manufactured here in Bozeman and shipped worldwide for support of our men and women in uniform."