I’ve worked in Wildland Fire for… a few decades. I started my fire career with the U.S. Forest Service in Oregon working on Hotshot Crews. Worked in NPS Fire for the last 17 years in the SER, NER and IMR and most recently was the FMO for the NW Colorado Parks based in Dinosaur, CO. I also completed the Fire Management & Ecology Certificate from NAU.

I really enjoy hiking, biking, and really any time spent outdoors; hockey and football (not the American kind) but most importantly spending time with my family; my wife, daughter and two sons, including my two grandsons.

How long have you worked at GRCA? Where are you based out of?

I started at GRCA at the end of February of this year, and I am based out of the Wildland Fire Operations building at the Helibase off Shuttle Bus Road.

Can you share a memorable or rewarding experience you've had while working in fire?

There are two for me; the amazing and beautiful locations that you are able to travel to and experience. Either at your home unit or on fire assignments, we visit so many places that very few have had the pleasure to experience. One of my many favorites was spending 21 days “spiked out” in the Boundary Waters Wilderness in Minnesota. We were transported in by a float plane with canoes strapped to the landing gear, and we canoed to the fireline daily. One of my favorite locations is the Frank Church Wilderness in Idaho.

One of the most rewarding things about working in wildland fire is the camaraderie you build with the amazing people you work alongside, performing difficult, arduous and sometimes risky work.

What's one piece of advice you would offer to anyone wanting to pursue your career field?

Some advice I have to offer to anyone wanting to pursue a career in wildland fire is to prepare physically and mentally for the job, make connections with people already working in wildland fire, and be resilient… it all pays off.

What's the most unusual or interesting job you've ever had?

In my past I have worked on an ALS ambulance as an EMT; and as an Arborist, but my most interesting and first job ever was as a newspaper delivery person in upstate New York where I grew up.