Shayne has loved aviation since early childhood. He began flying at the age of 16 and has a Commercial, Multi-engine, Instrument rating in fixed wing aircraft, a private helicopter rating, and commercial SUAS certificates. He joined the Mississippi Army National Guard at the age of 17 and served as a communications specialist, AH-64A Apache Helicopter Mechanic, Unmanned Aircraft Systems Mechanic, Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator, Unmanned Aircraft Systems Warrant Officer, and retired at the rank of CW4 in 2022. He served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan as a Soldier and Government Contractor. He lives in South Mississippi with his AMAZING wife of 20 years and two teenage children. His son currently attends Tulane University on a full paid academic scholarship and is studying to be a Chemical Engineer. His daughter is a competitive gymnast who holds multiple state championships and hopes to receive a gymnastics scholarship at a college that allows her to live near Disney World.

Shayne’s affection for dogs came when he received his first pet as a child, a Black Labrador Retriever named Cindy. “She was the most loyal, intelligent, loving and protective dog a child could have and It was a true blessing to have grown up with her.” He hopes that his work with DIMC will afford others the opportunity to experience this same kind of relationship with their newly adopted dog.