We are ParkIndy: 5 Questions with Devin – Maintenance Tech, Drone Pilot, Lizard Dad, Storm Chaser

As part of our “We are ParkIndy” campaign, we’re proud to introduce Devin. By day, he’s a Maintenance Technician who keeps Indianapolis’s parking equipment up and running. But outside of work, Devin is just as busy—with a household of reptiles, a passion for drones, and a love of storm chasing. His mix of technical skill, curiosity, and courage defines who he is both on and off the job.

We asked Devin five questions. Here’s how he responded:

Q: How did you get into reptiles? Do they have names?

A: I actually started with reptiles during the pandemic, when I was spending more time at home. My first was a lizard named FEMA, after my degree in emergency management. That opened the door to rescuing others, and now I have quite a collection. My favorite is Sir Silky, a blue-tongue skink. We thought she was a male at first—but then one day, she surprised us with nine babies.

Q: What’s the most surprising thing your pets have done?

A: Reptiles communicate in their own ways. For example, my tortoise tells me he’s hungry by nipping at my fingers. At first I thought it was aggression, but I realized it was just his way of signaling that it was time to eat. Each reptile has its own personality and little quirks, and it’s fun learning their “language.” Even Sir Silky showed me that—she started acting moody and defensive, and I thought it was just the cold weather. Turns out she was pregnant!

Q: What excites you about drones?

A: For me, drones are about perspective. They let you see things you just can’t from the ground. After storms, I’ve been able to capture images of damage patterns—like when a tornado flattened a forest in a perfectly straight line, something completely hidden by the tree canopy at ground level. Flying drones ties back to my interest in weather. They help me understand how storms behave, and I’d love to eventually use them to collect real-time data ahead of severe weather.

Drone Video Provided by Devin

Q: What draws you to storm chasing?

A: Tornadoes fascinate me. My dream chase would be a storm like the one in Pilger, Nebraska, where two large tornadoes were on the ground at the same time. But for me, it’s not just about the thrill of being close—it’s about the responsibility to help warn people. Around here, storms sometimes slip under the radar, especially late in the year. If I can confirm what I see, people take cover more seriously. I’ve seen that firsthand—just being able to say “yes, it’s on the ground and doing damage” makes a difference.

Follow Devin’s youtube Channel Here.

Q: How do you share what you see?

A: Most of my reports go to the National Weather Service, but I also share updates with a small group of people who rely on them—runners, farmers, and family members who want to know when something is coming their way. It started with just a friend sharing my observations, and it’s grown from there.

Devin’s world is one of curiosity, communication, and care—whether it’s keeping a paybox operational, learning the signals of a hungry tortoise, or warning neighbors about a dangerous storm. His passion for exploration and responsibility makes him an important part of ParkIndy, and a reminder that the people behind the uniforms have stories as unique as the city we serve.