One year ago, Apollo Automation was a much smaller operation. Trevor and Justin were still doing most of the building, shipping, and support themselves out of our facility in Versailles, Kentucky. A lot has changed since then, and two of the biggest reasons for that are celebrating their one year full-time anniversaries with us this month: Kyle Raley and Brandon Harvey.
We wanted to take a moment to publicly say thank you to both of them, and to give a shoutout to Holly Wilson while we're at it. Because Apollo doesn't work without the people behind it.
Kyle Raley, Director of Operations
Kyle leads our day to day operations and runs the workshop. Before Apollo, he spent years in logistics and management at a major shipping company, and that background shows in everything he does. Kyle brought a process driven mindset to a company that desperately needed one. He's the reason our production line runs smoothly, our quality standards stay high, and every sensor that leaves our facility is something we're proud to put our name on.
When Kyle joined, we were figuring a lot of things out as we went. He brought structure and discipline to our operations without slowing us down. That's a rare combination, and we're lucky to have him.
Kyle is a devoted husband and father who thrives in the outdoors, and he brings that same energy and drive to his work every single day. His leadership is helping build the foundation for a stronger, smarter future for Apollo right here in Kentucky.
Happy one year, Kyle. We couldn't do this without you.
Brandon Harvey, Product and Community Coordinator
If you've ever asked a question in our Discord, opened a support ticket, or followed a guide on our wiki, there's a very good chance Brandon was on the other end of that experience. He manages our Discord community, Freshdesk support, and Shopify inbox, and he spends countless hours making sure our wiki documentation is easy to follow for even the newest Home Assistant and Homey users.
Brandon is the voice of Apollo for a lot of people in our community, and he takes that responsibility seriously. He is always excited to meet and help members of the community, whether they're setting up their first sensor or troubleshooting an advanced automation. The care he puts into every interaction is something our community notices and appreciates, and so do we.
When he's not fixing computers or answering questions, you'll likely find him at the park with his dog. He also has a following on Nextdoor and genuinely loves learning about new technology and helping others get the most out of their smart homes.
Happy one year, Brandon. Our community is better because of you.
Holly Wilson, Logistics and Operations Manager
Holly absolutely deserves the recognition and because she would definitely notice if we left her out...
Holly is helping keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes at Apollo. From managing inventory to coordinating shipments, she brings organization, reliability, and heart to the team. She is deeply rooted in her love for her kids, family, and community, and she brings that same care and dedication to everything she does at Apollo. Our operations have gotten noticeably better since she joined, and we're grateful to have her.
Thank you, Holly!
Growing a Team in Kentucky
When we started Apollo Automation in 2023, it was two co-founders assembling sensors in a basement. Today we have a six person team working out of a dedicated manufacturing facility in Versailles, Kentucky. Every person on this team was hired locally, and every one of them makes Apollo better.
We talk a lot about our products, our sensors, and our partnerships with the Open Home Foundation and the Home Assistant community. But none of that matters without the people who show up every day, care about the work, and push us to be better. Kyle, Brandon, and Holly are three of those people, and we're thankful they chose to build this with us.
Here's to many more years together.
Apollo Automation builds high-performance, open-source smart home sensors and tools in Versailles, Kentucky. We're a proud commercial partner of the Open Home Foundation and the first ESPHome manufacturer certified under Works With Home Assistant. Learn more at apolloautomation.com.
