With controller in hand and an eye to the sky, Jimmy Hackett can’t help but reflect on the years of patience and hard work that got him to this very moment. As his drone flies with precision alongside one of the very school buildings that helped shape his future, he’s reminded that the path to success doesn’t always look the way you imagined it - and sometimes, it brings you right back home.
As the founder and CEO of Northeast Hydro Pros, Class of 2016 graduate Jimmy Hackett spends his days bringing commercial and residential properties back to life with an innovative and unique approach. What started out as a hands-on local pressure washing service has grown into something much bigger.
“We quickly learned that the biggest challenge in the exterior cleaning industry is safely accessing high, vertical, or fragile surfaces,” said Hackett.
That’s where an idea sparked. Rather than using lifts or other major pieces of construction equipment, Hackett turned to something a bit smaller … drones.
“Embracing innovative drone technology completely changed the game for us. Today, we bridge the gap between heavy-duty commercial cleaning and friendly, personalized local service across the Southern Tier and beyond,” said Hackett.
This innovation opened an entirely new avenue for Hackett. Rather than relying solely on traditional ground-based methods and equipment, he now has the ability to take to the sky with a safer, more efficient approach – using drones to reach and clean hard to access areas.
“We introduced drones because we wanted to solve the biggest headache in our industry: safely reaching high, awkward surfaces without putting technicians at risk. By pairing specialized heavy-lift drones with our custom chemical soft-wash systems, we brought a totally unique service to Broome County. The innovation isn't just about the cool factor of flying a drone; it’s about efficiency,” said Hackett.
Hackett and his team can now clean roofs, stadiums and high-rise siding safely and efficiently. He previously completed a project at Visions Veterans Memorial Arena and, most recently, at Maine-Endwell Middle School - a job that held special meaning for him.
“Working on the project at Maine-Endwell was an incredibly special, full-circle moment for me. Coming back to the place where so much of my foundation was built but this time bringing our advanced drone technology was truly surreal. It’s one thing to provide cutting edge service for a client, but it’s an entirely different level of rewarding when you're preserving and restoring a staple of your own community,” said Hackett.
He continued, “Being able to look up at the structures I used to walk past years ago and know that our team safely and flawlessly revitalized them makes this project one of our absolute favorites,” said Hackett.
While Hackett may not have envisioned himself becoming a business owner during his high school years, he credits his strong work ethic and drive to build something of his own for helping him get to where he is today.
“There is nothing quite like building a team from scratch, solving unique problems for our clients, and seeing the direct impact of our hard work in the community every single day. It has pushed me to grow in ways I never expected,” said Hackett.
His time at M-E also left him with lasting memories, including being part of the Spartan cross-country team, which finished second overall in the Class B state championships.
Looking back, Hackett encourages today's students not to feel pressured to have their entire futures figured out before graduation. Instead, he advises them to focus on developing a strong work ethic, learning how to solve problems and treating others with respect.
“Don’t feel like you have to have your entire life mapped out before you cross the graduation stage. Those skills translate to absolutely any industry. If you have an interest in business or a unique idea, don't be afraid to take a calculated risk and start small. The landscape is changing fast, especially with technology and trade skills, so keep an open mind about where your path might lead,” said Hackett.
Taking that advice to heart, Hackett has built a business that combines hard work, problem-solving and a willingness to embrace new ideas. While he may not have known exactly where his path would lead when he walked the halls of M-E, he has found success by creating his own opportunities - bringing his journey full circle by returning to the community that helped shape him.