Speakers

Director Tyler is a 31-year veteran of CAL FIRE most recently served as the Deputy Director of Fire Protection overseeing statewide fire protection operations and cooperative fire protection.  He began his career with CAL FIRE in 1991, in the Shasta Trinity Unit, and since working in several counties and programs throughout California including Riverside, Amador, El Dorado, and Sacramento.  Director Tyler has an extensive executive level operational and programmatic background.

Prior to his appointment as Deputy Director, Director Tyler served as the Asisstant Deputy Director of Fire Protection with oversight of law enforcement/civil cost recovery, fire protection operations, aviation management, tactical air operations, and mobile equipment.  He has also held managerial responsibility for training, safety, emergency medical services (EMS), local/state/federal programs, and hand crew programs.

Director Tyler served as the Department representative on the California Wildland Coordinating Group, National Association of State Forester's Wildland Fire Committee, Western States Fire Managers, served on several Statewide committees and cadres and was instrumental in the acquisition of a new fleet of helicopters and C-130 air tankers.  He is a qualified Agency Adminstrator and Incident Commander - Type 1.  He was a member of CAL FIRE Incident Management Teams from 2005 through 2014, last holding the position of Deputy Incident Commander on CAL FIRE Incident Management Team 3.

Kim Zagaris or Chief Z as some call him is currently the Wildfire Policy and Technology Advisor for the Western Fire Chiefs Association.  His position is new, created in response to the destructive wildfires that have unfolded across the west.

Chief Zagaris retired as State Fire and Rescue Chief for the State of California, Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) a position he held for 18 years.  Chief Zagaris has extensive background in fire service, emergency management, and homeland security which includes working with local, state, federal and international agencies over his 42 years fire service career.  During his time he served under six Governor's and has been actively involved in every major and catastrophic emergency in California as well as several in the nation.

Chief Zagaris also served as the Executive Coordinator for Cal OES Fire and Rescue Services Advisory Committee / FIRESCOPE Board of Directors which provides a State level forum for addressing Statewide Mutual Aid, Incident Command Systems, Multi-Agendy Coordination, Rescue Typing, Training, Certification, Safety, Standardization and Fire Protection issues of statewide concern.  Chief Zagaris was responsible for managing the FIRESCOPE Program, California Incident Command Certification System, the California Fire Assistance Agreement, and the State Assistance for Fire Equipment Program, as well as serving on numerous state and national committees, associations and programs.

During his time with Cal OES he was able to expand the fire apparatus fleet from 106 Fire Apparatus to 300 Fire Apparatus.  Chief Zagaris was responsible for several major program elements including the day-to-day management of the California Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System, which includes over 1,100 fire agencies, and some 55,000 professional and volunteer firefighters that operate approximately 6,000 fire engines Statewide.  In September of 2007 he was recognized by the California Fire Chiefs Association as the Fire Chief of the Year.

On January 2010 James Lee Witt, the former Director of the FEMA and the Co-Chaired of Protecting America.org, the nation's largest coalition of first responders, emergency management experts, businesses and insurers awarded the American Hero Award to Kim in recognition of his significant contributions made to better prepare and protect American families from the devastation of massive natural catastrophes.

On August of 2010 he was awarded the IAFC President's Recognition Award by IAFC President Jeff Johnson "in recognition and honor of his willingness to apply his knowledge and experience to the improvement of the fire and emergency service's understanding and capabilities in large-scale incident response.  His straight foward leadership style, combined with vast field experience and his willingness to share what works with others, makes him a national leader on incident operations and command.  He's a tremendous resource and the voice of reason for many chiefs seeking solutions to both the natural and manmade threats facing our communities today".

In October of 2016 he was recognized by the California State Fire Assocation, CSFA Presidents Hall of Fame Award honoring him for "Exceptional Contribution".

Mark Bathrick is the former Director of the U.S. Department of the Interior's (DOI) Office of Aviation Services (OAS) and current President of Bathrick Aviation Consulting.  As OAS Director, Mark was responsible for the safety, compliance, and performance of over 2,000 contracted and government-owned crewed and uncrewed aircraft and pilots.  He was also instrumental in affecting some of the greatest modernization of wildland firefighting aircraft in the last 30-years, leading efforts to test and integrate new platforms like the Very Large Air Tanker, the amphibious single engine air tanker, NextGen air tankers, and drones for aerial ignition, precision mapping, hotspot detection, and other applications.  Prior to DOI, Mark completed a distinguished career as a Navy carrier-based TOPGUN-trained fighter pilot and experimental test pilot.

Robert (Bob) Baird is the Director, Government and External Affairs at Fortress, a Division of Compass Minerals, developers of the next generation of eco-friendly, long-term, aerial delivered fire retardants.

Mr. Baird retired from the US Forest Service (USFS) after more than a decade in Fire and Aviation Management in 2022, most recently as Director, Fire and Aviation Management (FAM) Pacific Southwest Region (California and the Pacific Islands) for five years.  His prior USFS roles included Deputy National Fire Director, Operations and Aviation in Washington, DC, detailed Deputy Director, CALFIRE in 2014, and Forest Supervisor of the Los Padres National Forest.  In 2012, he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the U.S. Marine Corps with over 24 years of service, serving multiple combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Justin Baxter has served as a wildland fire fighter and land manager for twenty-two years with the US Forest Service.  Justin's career in operations started on hotshot crew in Arizona.  Justin left the crew in 2014 for a position with the National Technology and Development Program, Aerial Firefighting Use and Effectiveness Program.  In 2018 he accepted a position with the BLM UAS Program as the National UAS Fire Operations Specialist.  After 3 years with the BLM he accepted the National UAS Operations Specialist position with the Forest Service.

Ron Bollier's career in wildland fire has spanned over forty years.  Ron started his career on the Angeles National Forest as a hotshot crew member for the Dalton Interagency Hotshot Crew near his hometown in Southern California.  Ron spent 33 years as a hotshot, working his way up to Squad Boss, Foreman, and on to the role of Hotshot Superintendent.  Ron spent time on the Prescott Hotshot Crew and los Padres Hotshot Crew and served as the Superintendent for the Silver City and Carson Hotshots.  Ron spent 14 years as the Superintendent for the Fulton Hotshot Crew on the Sequoia National Forest in Southern California.  He was also an Operations Section Chief for a California Type 1 Incident Management Team for 13 years.

In 2013, Ron left the crew life behind and accpeted the position of Fire Management Officer for the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in Las Vegas, Nevada.  He was later assigned as the Deputy Forest Fire Chief on the Boise National Forest in Boise, Idaho.  As a Fire Manager, he served as an Incident Commander for various Great Basin Type 2 Incident Management Teams for several years.  After 37 years with the U.S. Forest Service, Ron retired and started a new career in his current position as the State Fire Management Officer for the Nevada Division of Forestry in Carson City, Nevada.

Brit is the eldest of Wayne and Suzan's two sons.  As a young boy, Britt was always drawn to aircraft and was fascinated by technology.

Britt began his career in the aviation division of the company in 2004.  He started working as a shipper/receiver in the stores department of Coulson Aircrane where he learned the foundation of the aircraft parts business.  Through his innovation and dedication to always creating a better way, Britt quickly became an integral part of the aviation division, pioneering various successful products;  all encompassed by the idea of generating more value for the customer.

In 2019, Britton transitioned to President and COO of the Coulson Group, leading the company into an exciting new future.

Kate Dargan Marquis currently works on wildfire resiliency strategy though many pathways and institutions. She advises the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, she most recently worked for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy as Assistant Director for Preparedness and Response and serves as Board Director and Chief Strategy Officer for Intterra, a wildfire and public safety software company she co-founded in 2010. She is also a longtime Board member and past Co-Chair of the CA Fire Safe Council. Prior to her advocacy phase, Kate was a pioneering California firefighter/chief for 30 years, the first woman State Fire Marshal for California and a proud Cal Poly San Luis Obispo graduate.  She has worked at the community, public agency, industry, technology, and policy levels of the national fire service and is widely recognized for her consensus-building style and innovative approaches to old problems.

Beau is the USDA Forest Service, Fire and Aviation Management, Rotor Wing Branch Chief where he provides oversight for the USFS Helicopter, UAS, Coordination, and Helicopter Inspector Pilot Programs.  He started his career over 25 years ago as a sawyer where he quickly recognized his passion for serving as a Wildland Firefighter.  Over the course of his career Beau has had the good fortune of serving in the positions of Helicoper Superintendent, Forest Aviation Officer, Regional Helicopter Operations Specialist, National Helicoper Operations Specialist and was appointed the Rotor Wing Branch Chief position in 2022.  Beau is proud to be part of a great staff who is responsible for contributing to the National Response Framework with over 400 contracted helicopters, aircraft coordination, and agency owned and operated UAS.

Luc began his career in forest protection as a development engineer at the SOPFEU regional base in Val-d'Or where he was promoted to head of land operations in 2000. 

In 2010, he moved to a position of management at the head office in Quebec.

Since 2018, he has been director of the Provincial Control Center.  As such, he is involved in several strategic issues at the provincial, national and international levels.

Luc Dugas first worked in the forestry industry for around ten years in Abitibi, the Hautes-Laurentides and the north of Lac-Saint-Jean.  

He trained as a forest engineer at Laval University and has since been a member of the Order of Forest Engineers of Quebec.

Jeff Emery is the President, Global Fire Safety for Perimeter Solutions.  Previously, he served as VP and General Manager of Industrial Automation for the Americas at Norgren.  Prior to that, he spent 10 years with Scott Safety.  Following 3M's acquisition of Scott Safety, Emery led the global business unit within 3M through a period of significant growth.  Jeff has served on the advisory board of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, and Nevada Nano and Fire 20/20, a non-profit that promotes diversity in fire services.  He earned his BA in Psychology from Augustana (IL) College, and an MBA from the University of Illinois.

As the Fire Chief of the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), Brian Fennessy leads more than 1,700 firefighters and non-sworn personnel who collectively serve 2 million residents across 23 cities and unincorporated county.

Chief Fennessy began his career in 1978 with the US Department of Agriculture's United States Forest Service and the US Department of Interior's Bureau of Land Management working as a hotshot crewmember and ultimately crew superintendent.

In 1990, Fennessy joined the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department and ultimately became Chief of Department in 2015.  In 2018, he was appointed to Fire Chief of the OCFA.

As Chair of the FIRESCOPE Board of Directors, Chief Fennessy is an advisor to the Director of the California Governor's Office of Emergency Service (Cal OES), currently represents California as a member of the Western Fire Chiefs Association Wildland Fire Policy Committee; serves as the Sponsoring Agency Chiefs Representative for the nine West Division FEMA Urban Search & Rescue Task Forces; and President Elect of the California Fire Chiefs Association (CalChiefs).  In 2022, Chief Fennessy was recognized as CalChiefs Fire Chief of the Year and in 2023, the International Association of Fire Chief's (IAFC) Career Fire Chief of the Year.

Mel Holtz serves as the Director of Business Development and Mission Senior Operator (MSO) at Bridger Aerospace.  Operating on a Multi-Mission PC-12 Aircraft through a national contract with the Department of Interior, Mel plays a critical role in intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance missions over wildfires.  His responsiblities as an MSO include firefighter overwatch and providing real-time intelligence to ground teams.

Mel began his firefighting career as a volunteer in 2004.  He became a full-time Firefighter/Paramedic for Frenchtown Rural Fire District in 2012, where he managed Wildland, EMS, Technology, and Public Information divisions.  He has served on several Type 2 and Type 3 incident management teams in the Northern Rockies as a PIO, Prevention team member, and in Logistics.

Dirk Giles has served as a wildland fire fighter and land manager for twenty-five years with the Department of Interior and now the US Forest Service.  Dirk's career in operations started on hotshot crews in Nevada and then spent a majority of his career in Alaska on the Midnight Sun and Chena Hotshots.  He moved into management as Chief of the Fire Specialist Section and then Assistant Fire Management Officer for the Military Zone where he was introduced to unmanned technologies.  He was appointed as an Aviation Management Specialist in 2018 and is now responsible for building the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) program for the U.S. Forest Service.  Dirk is passionate about leveraging UAS and emerging technologies to introduce a new conversation of risk management for the normalized hazardous activities that employees face on a routine basis.

Logan Kalfsbeek is a Division Chief with CAL FIRE Tactical Air Operations based out of McClellan, Sacramento.  He currently oversees CAL FIRE's aviation military assets and acts as an Assistant Safety Officer.  He also oversees CAL FIRE Exhibit F and coordinates required aerial firefighting training with the Army National Guard and Air Guard.  Logan started his career in 2000 as a volunteer firefighter and a seasonal firefighter for CAL FIRE.  After completing his degree in Wildfire at Humboldt State University, Logan pursued his passion of public service.  He has worked in Riverside, Amador El Dorado, Humboldt and most recently with Tactical Air Operations.  As he moved around the state, he gained experience as a Firefighter II Paramedic, Engineer Paramedic, Fire Captain, Battalion Chief and Division Chief.  He particpated in the inmate crew program and worked as Helitack Captain and Primary Air Tactical Group Supervisor.  Logan has also worked as an Aerial Supervisor and managed complex airspace on some of California's most destructive wildfires.  Logan sits on multiple CAL FIRE cadres including Helicopter Coordinator, California Aerial Supervisor Academy, Military Helicopter Manager and C-300.  He has managed field battalions and the Humboldt Del Norte Aviation battalion, which include Air Attack and Helitack base.

Parimal Kopardekar (PK) serves as the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Mission Integration Manager to coordinate Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) activities enabling progress of AAM ecosystem.  In addition to this strategic role, PK serves as the Director of NASA Aeronautics Research Institute (NARI) and a senior leader and advisor for ARMD.  In this capacity, he is responsible for exploring new trends, research areas, collaborations, and partnerships relevant to aeronautics enterprise.  His focus is on unmanned aircraft systems, advanced air mobility, wildland fire management, autonomy, and future airspace oeprations.  Recently he co-led a comprehensive needs assessment study for wildfire mitigations. 

In the past, he served as the NASA senior technologist for Air Transportation Systems.  He invented Unmanned Aircraft Systems Traffic Management (UTM) to safely enable large-scale drone operations at lower altitudes, which is now being globally adopted.  He also chairs International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)'s unmanned aircraft system advisory group.  He is a recipient of many awards, including American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics' Hap Arnold Award for Programmatic Excellence, NASA Government Invention of the Year, NASA Exceptional Technology Achievement Medal, NASA Outstanding Leadership Award, NASA Engineer of the Year Award, and the prestigious Samuel J. Heyman Service to America's Promising Innovation Award.  PK was named among 25 most influential people in drone industry.  He serves as the Co-Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Aerospace Operations and is a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics as well as Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.  He also serves as an adjunct faculty and teachers undergraduate and graduate-level courses related to operations management, supply chain management, and innovation.  He holds a Doctor of Philosphy from University of Cincinnati and a Master of Science degree from University at Buffalo in Industrial Engineering, and a Bachelor of Engineering degree from University of Bombay in Production Engineering.

Bryon Lake is the wildland fire chemical systems (WFCS) program manager at the US Forest Service, National Technology & Development Program (NTDP) in Missoula, Montana.  He has fourteen years of wildland fire operations experience as an Interagency Hotshot Crew Boss, Div/Grp Supervisor, Helicopter Mgr., SEAT Mgr., and Air Tactical Group Supervisor.  He accepted this position in January of 2023 and returned to the US Forest Service after twelve years with the Department of Defense, US Army Corps of Engineers where he served as a civil/military project manager and emergency operations, action officer, missions mgr., and subject matter expert for infrastructure assessment, search/recovery, and prime power 249^th Engineer Battalion.  Bryon draws on this experience to improve and modernize the WFCS program in the testing, evaluation and qualifying of new wildland fire chemicals developed by private sector manufacturing companies.

By empowering the WFCS interdisciplinary team of scientists, statisticians, and engineers to find ways to modernize and innovate existing tests, and evaluations used in the lab and field to qualify products and aerial delivery systems, Bryon puts his degree in wildlife biology, disturbance ecology, and fluvial geomorphology from the University of Arizona to good use.  The opportunity to work collaboratively to protect life and property, reduce impacts to our National Forest and Grasslands, improve firefighter safety, and test and identify new products to reduce negative impacts to our environment is what motivates him at work every day.

When he is not at work, Bryon enjoys backpacking, fly fishing and kayaking.  He is also a beekeeper and loves spending time with his wife Pamela visiting their four children and three granddaughters.

Professor V. Lappas graduated with a B. Eng in Aerospace Engineering at Ryerson University (Toronto, Canada), his MSc in Space Technology at NASA (Goddard Space Flight Centre) through the International Space University (France) and his PhD in Space Vehicle Control at the University of Surrey (UK).  He has led various signifciant research grants on satellite technology, space missions, space debris, funded by the United States Air Force, NASA, Airbus, European Space Agency, European Commission.  He has managed substantial research grants including the EU funded QB50, RemoveDEBRIS space missions and the European Defence Agency EuroSWARM project which is one of Europe's first Defence R&D pilot projects.  He is currently Professor of Aerospace Systems and Department Head at the Department of Aerospace Science & Technology of the University of Athens (Greece) and a Consulting Professor in Aerospace Systems at Cranfield University (UK).  His current research includes development of unmanned vehicles for defence applications, satellite/space systems, launch vehicle design, small satellites funded by the EU, United States Air Force and European Space Agency.  He also teaches Flight Controls, Dynamics and Satellite Communications at Cranfield University and supervises MSc student projects and PhD researchers for the MSc in Astronautics/Space and Autonomous systems (AVDC).

Paul is the USDA Forest Service, Fire & Aviation Management, Assistant Director - Aviation.  He has been in Fire & Aviation Management for over 40 years, working for both the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management.

He has extensive wildland fire experience managing fireline resources and experience managing aviation operations on complex wildfires.  Paul has been in the Forest Service National Office in Washington DC and Boise Idaho for over 16 years, first as an Aviation Management Specialist and in two different Aviation Branch Chief positions.  In August 2020, he was selected as the Assistant Director - Aviation.  The Forest Service National Office staff of almost 60 people supports aviation activities for wildland fire and resource management throughout the Forest Service.  The national office provides contract, policy, budget, safety, aircraft coordination and operational oversight for over 500 contracted aircraft and over 1000 carded pilots.

Mike began his government career in 1999 after graduating from Boise State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Business Economics.  He began government service with the Department of the Interior at the Office of Aircraft Services as a Contract Specialist and transitioned to the US Forest Service in 2012 where he held contracts for wildland fire chemicals, HC-130 support helicopter services, legacy airtankers and aircraft purchases.  Mike is currently in the role of Fire Chemicals Branch Chief with Fire and Aviation Management.

Jason Nava currently serves as a Program Manager of Aviation Safety for Pacific Gas and Electric. Jason has thirty-four years of service to multiple agencies and private industry specializing in aviation operations. Jason’s core beliefs include a team approach combined with mentorship and successional planning to contribute to success of aviation operations and safety.

Jason Formerly served as the US Forest Service Region 5 (California) Helicopter Program Manager with oversight of operations and safety for the Regions Helicopter program. Retiring from the Kern County Fire Department in 2019, Jason was instrumental in developing the County’s NVG operations, NVG hover snorkeling and hoist operations. Jason served as a member of the Firescope Aviation Group. Firescope service included coauthoring the original NVG Go No Go check list and approval and authoring the 2020 ICS-800 Region 5 US Forest Service implementation of NVG helicopter hover snorkeling. Jason’s service includes seventeen years on a National Type 1 team as an Air Operations Branch Director, Aerial Supervisor, and Division Group Supervisor. All-risk incidents include multiple hurricane deployments including Hurricane Maria Air Operations, National and International large fire deployments, and The Space Shuttle Columbia Recovery air operations. Other aviation experiences include two years with Raytheon Antarctic Support Associates as a Helicopter Specialist for the United States Antarctic Program and a primary Safety for PAR Electrical Contractors.

Recognitions include The University of Southern California Aviation Safety and Security Certificate, The Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award, New York Museum of Natural History Ventifact Display Credit, Kern County Fire Department Unit Citation, USFS Air Award, and is a Recipient of the Antarctic Service Medal.

Sean Navin is the Program Director for Amentum Aviation working with Cal Fire at McClellan AB, Sacramento, California.  Amentum/Cal Fire is the gold standard in Aerial Firefighting and currently operates and maintains CALFIRE's S-2T air tankers, OV-10 air tactical aircraft, UH-1H Super Hueys, S-70i Blackhawks, C-130H training aircraft and Beechcraft King Airs.  The majority of the maintenance is performed at McClellan Park, near Sacramento, California.  During fire season, Amentum maintenance personnel and pilots are stationed at various air attack and Helitack bases strategically located through California to provide a quick and effective response to wildfires.

Col Navin (retired) began his military career in 1990 at the 134th Fighter Winger, Vermont Air National Guard, as an F-16 pilot.  Following eight years of service, Col Navin transferred to the 144th Fighter Wing, California Air National Guard.  Col Navin held multiple positinos within the 144th Fighter Wing to include: 144th Vice Wing Commander, 194th Fighter Squadron Commander, and Operations Support Commander.  Col Navin completed the National Preparedness Leadership Initiative (NPLI) senior leadership course at Harvard University, as well as completing the Joint and Combined Warfighting School-Hybrid (JCWS-H).  Col Navin closed his miltiary career as Commander of the 163d Attack Wing, California Air National Guard, March Air Reserve Base, California.  The 163d Attack Wing is comprised of more than 900 personnel.  The wing is the California Air National Guard's exclusive MQ-9A Reaper operatinos unit providing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance support, as well as tactical combat support, to commanders and war fighters around the world.  He is a command pilot with more than 2,300 flying hours in F-16s and F-15s; operations supported include: OPERATIONAL NOBLE EAGLE, OPERATION SOUTHERN WATCH, and OPERATION CORONET NIGHTHAWK.

Chris joined Aero-Flite in 2021 as General Manager after 26 years of leadership positions with both civilian and military aviation and aerospace organizations.  He spent more than 13 years at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. and held various roles in engineering, program management, and aviation safety.  Prior to General Atomics, Chris, a graduate of Naval Fighter Weapons School (TopGun), served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a combat experienced F-18 Instructor Pilot.

Chief Perkins has been in the Fire service for over 25 years and is an Assistant Chief of Operations wih the Orange County Fire Authority.  He promoted through each rank and has been a Chief Officer for over 10 years.  His aviation experience began as a helicopter rescuer in 2006 and then Crew Chief in 2009 with OCFA's Air Operations program.  Chief Perkins was also the Air Operations Battalion Chief from 2018-2020.

His aviation qualifications include Helicopter Manager, Helibase Manager, Air Support, Air Operations Branch Director and Helicopter Coordinator.  He spent 10 years on an Incident Management Team with Cal Fire and as the Assistant Chief of Operations, he currently oversees the Quick Reaction Force (QRF) program.  He holds a BS degree from Long Beach State, AA degree and AS degree in Fire Technology.

Paul Petersen is the Executive Director of the United Aerial Firefighter Association, which represents through education, advocacy, innovation, and collaboration, the Aerial Wildland Fire Industry (Airtankers, Scoopers, Helicopters, Retardant and aviation support) to Local, State, Federal agencies, and Congress.  He retired in April 2023 from the Bureau of Land Management, Nevada State Office as the State Fire Management Officer and was responsible for coordination and implementation of fire preparedness, fire suppression, hazardous fuels reduction, fire prevention/mitagation/education and overall leadership for the Fire and Aviation.  He has served as a Firefighter, Engine Captain, Fire Operations Specialist (Battalion Chief), Incident Commander, Assistant Fire Management Officer, Fire Management Officer, and Deputy State Fire Management Officer.  He is a 6th generation Native Nevadan and loves the beauty and openness of Nevada and Intermountain West.  In his spare time, he enjoys travelling, history, skiing, flying his 1961 Cessna 182, and family.

Reese's distinguished, 30+ career as a public servant, critical care nurse, and wildland firefighter culminated with his role as Chief Tactical Air Operations (TAO) for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE).  In that position, Reese managed the Department's aviation training, wildland fire chemical, and military programs.  As a boots-on-the ground wildland firefighter for many years and, ultimately, as a program leader of CAL FIRE's world-renowned aviation organization, Reese has been a vocal advocate for development and deployment of innovative fire suppression technologies.  Reese assisted in developing the first-ever interagency helicopter night flying policy and SOGs for use on state and federal lands.  Under his leadership, California's aerial firefighting fleet integrated the world's largest aerial firefighting platforms, known as VLATs - very large air tankers, into the state's fleet.  Reese was the primary architect of the State of California's Catastrophic Aviation Response Plan and Air Operations concept of operations through the Office of Emergency Services, and Cal Trans.  He was awarded the California state military's highest honor given to a civilian - the Legion of Merit Medal.  After retiring from public service Reese was engaged by Alterna Captial Partners, the private equity investor group behind Global SuperTanker Services, LLC (GST), owners of the world's largest aerial firefighting platform - a converted 747-400 aircraft with a drop capacity over 19,000 gallons.  In 2020, Reese founded the International Wildfire Consulting Group (IWCG), where he has been engaged full-time since converting the 747 back into a cargo aircraft in 2021.  He is also one of the original charter members of the United Aerial Firefighters Association.

Brian Renner is a Division Chief in CAL FIRE's Aviation Program based out of McClellan, CA.  He provides programmatic oversight of CAL FIRE's Helicopter Program alongside the Helicopter Program Chief Pilot.  His responsibilities incude the Helitack, Air Rescue, Aerial Ignition, and Helicopter Coordinator (HLCO) Programs.

After receiving his Bachelor of Science Degree in Forestry at Humboldt State University, he started his career with CAL FIRE in 2005 in Humboldt County.  Brian has spent the last 12 years involved in the Aviation Program including the Helitack, Air Attack, Military Air Operations, and HLCO Programs.  He has been an Aerial Supervisor on many complex wildland fires in Southern and Northern California over the last ten years.

In 2021, Brian joined CAL FIRE's Tactical Air Operations serving as the Military Air Operations Division Chief overseeing its interagency training and the tactical deployment of Military Air assets on major wildland fires.  In 2023, he accepted the Helicopter Operations role.  Brian serves on the California Aerial Supervision Academy cadre, is CAL FIRE's Lead HLCO Instructor and has been responsible for developing CAL FIRE's Night HLCO Program since 2021.

Randolph "Buster" Robinson serves as the Incident Aviation Operations Officer for Texas A&M Forest Service, overseeing aerial fire response operations throughout the state of Texas.  With two decades of dedicated service, Buster has been an integral part of the Texas A&M Forest Service team, serving much of that time as a District Forester in Palestine, Texas.  In this role, he played a crucial role in regional landowner assistance and wildfire response initiatives.

Buster holds a bacehlor's degree in forestry from Stephen F. Austin State University, providing him with a solid foundation for his work in forestry and land management.  His commitment to service goes beyond his civilian career, as he held the position of Chief Warrant Officer and CH-47 Chinook helicopter pilot in the Texas Army National Guard from 2008 to 2018.  During his military career, Buster flew a range of missions, including hurrican and flood responses, wildfires, and a combat tour in Afghanistan.

In 2022, Buster transitioned to the role of Aviation Operations Officer within the Texas A&M Forest Service, merging his passion for aviation with his dedication to public service.  He thrives on the daily challenges presented in his efforts to contribute to the growth and enhancement of Texas' aviation programs.

Beyond his professional commitements, Buster finds joy in his role as a family man.  Residing in Palestine with his wife and two children.  He appreciates quality time spent with family and managing his 16-acre tree farm.

Bob has been in the fire services for over 45 years starting as a volunteer firefighter, then rising to executive positions.  He served in the Ventura County Fire District for 34 years, the last 15 as Fire Chief.  He then became the Nevada State Forester and now Senior Policy Advisor to the Western Fire Chief's Association.

During his career, Bob continued his formal education and became focused on the wildland fire problem due to its dynamic nature and challenges.  As Fire Chief of a CAL FIRE "Contract County" and the Chair of the FIRESCOPE Board of Directors, he became quite involved in state aid agreements and the state response system.  He furthered his national wildland policy knowledge by becoming the Chair of the International Association of Fire Chief's Wildland Fire Policy Committee.  This forum required a global viewpoint of the nation's wildland fire problem and interaction with National Association of State Foresters, federal partners and the international wildfire community.  Bob was instrumental in the development of the Ready, Set, GO! program and was part of the development team for the National Wildland Fire Cohesive Strategy.  Bob is currently finishing his commitment serving on the Congressional Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission.

I began my aviation career in 1986 after being accepted into the United States Army Warrant Officer flight program.  Served 22 years in various positions as Mission Pilot, Instructor Pilot, Flight Lead, and Safety Officer.  Retired from the military with 6,500 flight hours with service in Desert Storm, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanisan, and Iraq.  In 2007 I began a second civil career in aerial firefighting beginning with a United States Forest Service.  After one season I was hired by Santa Barbara County Fire Department as a fire/rescue pilot eventually moving on to Los Angeles County Fire in 2009.  I currently hold a supervisor position as Senior Pilot.  Additionally, I have a Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics with a Aviation Safety Minor and possess an Airline Transport Pilot helicopter & airplane, CFI, CFII helicopter.

Stu Sprung is the Chief of Flight Operations for CAL FIRE, the second-largest fire department in the United States with the largest dedicated aerial firefighting fleet in the world.  75 CAL FIRE and contracted fixed and rotor-wing aircraft operate out of 26 air bases statewide.  Of these initial attack-rated aircraft, 25 are under Exclusive-Use contract.

Stu has 35 years of California fire service experience, starting as a firefighter/paramedic.  He is a dual-rated FAA Airline Transport Pilot with 17 years of professional aviation experience and over 3000 hours.  Coming from the airlines flying B737's, he has been with CAL FIRE for seven years and currently flies the C-130H Hercules, UH-1H Super Huey, and OV-10A Bronco.  He also holds a B.A. in Economics with A.S.'s in Chemistry and Biology from he University of California, San Diego.

Vincent (Vince) Welbaum has been working for the Colorado Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire Prevention & Control as the Aviation Unit Chief since March 2016.  The State currently has 2 - PC-12 Pilatus Multi-Mission Aircraft that are agency owned, 2 - contracted Bell 205++ helicopters, 2 - contracted AT-802 Singe Engine Airtankers, 1 - contracted Bae 146 Large Airtanker and currently working towards accepting a Sikorsky S-70 Firehawk with another contracted to be delivered in 2025 that will both be agency owned.  In Vince's previous life, he started in 1979 with the US Forest Service in California, moved to Idaho in 1991 and worked on the Payette NF, then moved to Alaska and worked for the Office of Aircraft Services (OAS) in 2004 as the Aviation Program Manager for all DOI Bureaus in Alaska & Hawaii and in 2007 he moved to Boise Idaho into the position of the FS National Helicopter Operations Specialist where he retired after 35 years with the Feds in March of 2016.

Vince holds an Associate of Science Degree in Forestry; he has worked for over 14 years on numerous Type 1 & 2 Incident Mangaement Teams in Regions 2, 4, 5 & 10 as a Division Supervisor, Type 2 Operations Section Chief, Air Support Group Supervisor and Air Operations Branch Director.

Vince is an avid outdoorsman with a passion for hunting (everything) and fishing (for anything).

Pete joined CAL FIRE in 2007.  A member of CAL FIRE's Incident Management Team 1 for the last five years in the Air Operations Branch, he helped introduce and has worked with UAS on large incidents since 2020.  In 2020/21 he assisted in the development of CAL FIRE's UAS program.  In 2022 he joined the Tactical Air Operaions program as the UAS Operations Battalion Chief.  Responsible for large incident support coordination, pilot training/carding, standards, program development, and FAA waivers.  Pete is a qualified UASP, UASL, Aerial Ignition pilot, and a member of many UAS cadres and working groups nationwide.