Aaron is an accomplished aviation and emergency management professional with over 30 years of distinguished service in the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), where he played a key role in developing and leading one of the nation’s most advanced public safety aviation programs.

Beginning his aviation career as a Helitack Captain, Aaron advanced through progressively senior leadership roles, including Air Attack Battalion Chief, Division Chief of Helicopter Operations, and Deputy Chief overseeing fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and military aviation operations. In his culminating role as Staff Chief of Aviation, he provided executive-level direction for all aviation operations within CAL FIRE, including fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). His responsibilities included program development, operational policy, capital planning, and budget forecasting—ensuring the aviation program met the evolving demands of modern fire management and all-hazard response.

Aaron is qualified in numerous Incident Command System (ICS) aviation positions, including Air Tactical Group Supervisor (ATGS), Air Tactical Supervisor, Helicopter Coordinator (day and night/NVG operations), and Air Operations Branch Director (AOBD). His expertise in complex airspace management and strategic air asset allocation has made him a recognized leader in both operational and policy-level aviation management.

Beyond field operations, Aaron’s leadership extended to interagency collaboration, program innovation, and instructional development. He contributed to multiple national and state-level initiatives, including the California Aerial Supervision Academy, National Interagency Aviation Committee, CAL FIRE Aviation Policy Rewrite Committee, Night Vision Goggle Operations Team, and the S-70i Firehawk implementation effort. His work in these areas has helped advance aviation safety, training, and operational effectiveness across the wildfire and emergency response community.

With extensive experience in program development, curriculum design, quality assurance, and large-scale project management, Aaron brings a proven record of strategic leadership and operational excellence. His deep understanding of aviation systems, emergency response frameworks, and public-sector implementation positions him as a trusted advisor for organizations engaged in complex aviation operations and emergency management initiatives.

John is an accomplished fire chief and executive leader with over 30 years of experience in wildfire operations, aviation, and emergency management. He has held progressive leadership roles across operations, aviation, and administration, supporting complex incidents and large-scale public safety programs throughout California. Since retiring from CAL FIRE in 2023, he has continued his work as a consultant, supporting agencies and organizations with wildfire resilience initiatives.

In his culminating role as Assistant Region Chief, John provided executive oversight of fire protection operations, resource management, training, and intelligence functions of CAL FIRE's Northern Region. He led strategic planning, policy development, fiscal oversight, and program implementation, while advising senior state leadership on critical fire protection and emergency management issues.

Previously, John served as Unit Chief for the Butte Unit, where he operated as Fire Chief for Butte County, the Town of Paradise, and the Cities of Gridley and Biggs. In this role, he worked closely with local government leaders, councils, and partner agencies, directing operational and administrative functions and supporting community resiliency during critical events. 

Earlier in his career, John served as Air Attack Battalion Chief at the Grass Valley Air Attack Base, leading aviation operations and coordinating complex airspace. He is qualified as an Air Tactical Group Supervisor, Helicopter Coordinator, and Air Tactical Supervisor. He spent 14 years on CAL FIRE Incident Management Teams, serving in command and general staff roles, including Operations Section Chief and Type 1 Incident Commander. His experience includes leadership roles on some of California’s most significant incidents. 

He brings a proven track record of strategic leadership and operational execution, with the ability to translate real-world experience into practical, actionable solutions. John is a trusted advisor to agencies, organizations, and communities addressing complex wildfire and emergency management challenges. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) from California State University, Chico.

TIm is an accomplished fire service and aviation operations professional with more than 30 years of experience supporting complex emergency response and all-hazard incidents. Throughout his career, he has held senior leadership roles in operations and aviation, most notably serving as Assistant Chief of Operations for the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), where he oversaw a broad portfolio of operational and aviation-related programs.

His experience includes significant involvement in OCFA’s aviation program, where he served as Aviation Program Manager with responsibility for the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) program. In this role, he led and supported major initiatives, including the acquisition of  FIREHAWK helicopters, management of the Quick Reaction Force (QRF) helicopter program, and oversight of the Fire Integrated Real-Time Intelligence System (FIRIS), advancing the integration of aviation and real-time intelligence into emergency operations.

In addition to many operational leadership roles, he has 10 years of experience on Incident Management Teams, contributing across multiple aspects of aviation. operations during complex incidents. His experience working within local government allows him to apply a practical, agency-focused perspective to support program development, strategic planning, and operational improvements. 

Mike is an accomplished aviation and emergency operations professional with more than 30 years of experience supporting complex wildland fire and all-hazard incident response across California. Throughout his career, he has held progressive leadership roles in aerial supervision, aviation program operations, and airborne intelligence, contributing to some of the most demanding multi-agency incidents in the state.

Mike currently serves as an Airborne Mission Commander with the Fire Integrated Real-time Intelligence System (FIRIS), where he provides real-time situational awareness and intelligence to incident commanders and emergency responders. In this role, he leads airborne intelligence missions utilizing advanced sensor platforms—including full-motion video, infrared imaging, LiDAR, and multi-spectral systems—to support strategic decision-making and enhance operational effectiveness during critical incidents.

Over the course of his career with CAL FIRE, Mike has served as Battalion Chief, Air Attack Officer, and Helitack Fire Captain, where he provided leadership in aviation operations, coordinated complex airspace, and managed aerial resources during both initial and extended attack incidents. His operational expertise spans aerial supervision, helicopter coordination, helibase management, and reconnaissance operations in high-risk, dynamic environments.

Mike has also played a significant role in aviation training, program development, and workforce advancement. He has served as an instructor and cadre member for the California Aerial Supervision Academy (ATGS) and was instrumental in the development and instruction of the Helicopter Coordinator (HLCO) program. His instructional experience includes training personnel in aviation operations, crew resource management, and aerial firefighting strategy and tactics.

With qualifications including Air Attack Group Supervisor (ATGS), Air Operations Branch Director (AOBD), Helicopter Coordinator (HLCO), and Helibase Manager (HEB1), Mike brings a comprehensive understanding of aviation operations, incident management, and program development. His career reflects a consistent focus on advancing airborne intelligence capabilities, improving situational awareness, and strengthening operational outcomes for emergency response organizations.

Jon Tishner is a highly experienced leader, bringing over 30 years of proven leadership in fire and aviation management. A former U.S. Forest Service leader in the Pacific Southwest Region (Region 5) and National Program level, Jon has built a distinguished career delivering operational excellence in wildland fire response, aviation management, and all-hazard incident operations since 1992.

Throughout his career, Jon has held critical field and command positions, including Superintendent of a Helitack Rappel Crew, Superintendent of the Mendocino Hotshots, and Forest Division Chief. His aviation leadership experience spans both regional and national programs, where he has served as a (Region 5) Regional Aviation Group Battalion Chief, Fixed Wing Operations Specialist, and Fixed Wing Program Manager, leading high-risk, mission-critical aviation programs and operations.

Jon specializes in integrating aviation and ground operations to support complex incident environments. He has successfully planned and executed large-scale hazard fuel reduction and prescribed fire operations, utilizing techniques such as aerial plastic sphere dispensing systems and helitorch ignition, particularly within wildland-urban interface settings. He has been instrumental in advancing Incident Awareness and Assessment (IAA) programs, integrating rotor- and fixed-wing aircraft with human-aided technologies to provide real-time intelligence supporting emergency management decision-making across regional and national programs. Additionally, Jon brings three years of experience with Pacific Gas & Electric as a Data Analyst supporting the Hazard Awareness and Warning Center, where he performed continuous hazard detection and risk assessment for critical infrastructure systems. Jon developed and delivered real-time and near-real-time situational awareness products by aggregating, interpolating, and analyzing data from diverse public and private technology sources. This work was grounded in applied emergency management principles and focused on enabling rapid risk evaluation and mitigation response.

Jon holds numerous operational Incident Command System (ICS) and aviation qualifications, including Air Tactical Group Supervisor (ATGS), Air Tactical Supervisor (AITS), Helicopter Coordinator (HLCO), and Division Group Supervisor (DIVS), and has served as both an instructor and final evaluator. In addition to his operational leadership, he developed and implemented training programs focused on interagency collaboration and contracting officer representative specialists, oversaw quality assurance and Safety Management System initiatives, and provided strategic direction in budget planning, policy development, and succession planning to support organizational growth and success.

Shawn is a retired wildland fire and emergency management professional with over 28 years of experience with CAL FIRE and the U.S. Forest Service. His career spans the full spectrum of fire service operations,from smokejumper in remote wilderness environments to commanding large, complex incidents as a member of CAL FIRE Incident Management Teams. Known for his operational depth, leadership under pressure, and commitment to staff development, Shawn advanced through virtually every level of the organization.

He built a strong operational foundation early in his career, serving three seasons as a Smokejumper at the McCall Smokejumper Base and in leadership roles with multiple hotshot crews. He also served as a helitack rappeller, conducting helicopter missions including cargo transport, longline operations, water delivery, and aerial ignition. These assignments in initial attack, aviation, and fireline leadership informed his work throughout his career.

Within CAL FIRE, Shawn progressed through the ranks from Firefighter to Battalion Chief across the Humboldt-Del Norte and Lassen-Modoc Units. As Battalion Chief, he supervised company officers, managed interagency agreements, oversaw fuels reduction programs, and served as the senior incident commander for all-risk emergencies. He was later promoted to Assistant Chief in the Siskiyou Unit, where he oversaw operations, managed inmate conservation camp and fire crew programs, served as Unit Duty Chief, and coordinated capital outlay projects supporting infrastructure improvements.

Shawn concluded his CAL FIRE career as Interim Unit Chief of the Siskiyou Unit, serving as county fire warden with executive responsibility for all unit programs, personnel, and emergency operations.

On large incidents, Shawn served in key command and general staff roles as a member of CAL FIRE Incident Management Teams, including Type 1 Incident Commander and long-tenured Operations Section Chief Type 1. In these roles, he directed tactical operations, managed division and group supervisors, and executed Incident Action Plans on some of California’s most complex incidents.

He also contributed to advancing the fire service through interagency coordination, curriculum development, and instruction. Shawn served on the FIRESCOPE Wildland Fire Subcommittee, supporting development of statewide ICS and multi-agency coordination standards, and as cadre for S-339, C-300, and C-430 courses. He also participated in CAL FIRE basic and leadership academies, supporting training and professional development across the fire service.

Shawn holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology/Management from Fort Lewis College and an Associate of Arts degree from the College of the Siskiyous. Through Global Air Operations Group, he brings extensive operational, administrative, and instructional experience to support incident management, program development, training delivery, and interagency coordination.

Shawn is a highly experienced wildland fire and aviation management professional, bringing over 30 years of proven leadership in emergency operations, aviation leadership, and program management. With more than three decades of service, he has developed a distinguished career delivering operational excellence in wildland fire response, aerial supervision, and all-hazard incident management.

Shawn’s aviation career spans over 22 years in helicopter operations and more than 16 years in aerial supervision roles, including Helicopter Superintendent, Helicopter Coordinator (HLCO), Air Tactical Group Supervisor (ATGS), and Air Tactical Supervisor (AITS). Since beginning his aerial supervision career in 2009, he has served in these critical airborne leadership positions. He is a qualified instructor and operational Flight Evaluator and former Check Airman for both HLCO and ATGS, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to training, standardization, and operational excellence.

In 2014, Shawn joined the Pacific Southwest Region Aviation Group, where he served as a mission commander for Fire Watch Cobra and Night Watch platforms. In this role, he was instrumental in advancing aerial intelligence capabilities, contributing to the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of operations plans, training programs, aircraft contracts, and sensor-based technologies. His expertise includes thousands of mission hours operating both rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft, utilizing flight computers and integrated sensor systems to deliver critical mission awareness. A seasoned chief officer with 20 years of command-level experience, Shawn has held leadership roles including Battalion Chief, Division Chief, and Deputy Chief.

In addition to Shawn’s operational leadership, he has over a decade of experience as an instructor for Division/Group Supervisor and Aerial supervision positions, extensive experience in simulation development and training evaluation. He has played a key role in curriculum development, succession planning, and research and development initiatives to advance aviation and incident management programs. Shawn also brings significant expertise in aviation contract development, implementation, and oversight, serving as a specialized Level III Contracting Officer Representative. 

Shawn enjoys mountain living in McCall, Idaho, with his Wife and 2 Daughters.

Travis began his career as a Firefighter I with CAL FIRE in 1989. He has held the positions of Firefighter II, Fire Apparatus Engineer, and Fire Captain within Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, working in both municipal and wildland-urban interface settings. In 2003, Travis began his formal career with CAL FIRE Aviation, assigned to Hemet Ryan, where he served as a Helitack Captain and relief Air Tactical Group Supervisor. Over the next several years, he served on the California Urban Search and Rescue Team 6 and CAL FIRE Incident Management Team 10. 

In 2007, he was promoted to Battalion Chief, leading Camp Operations at the California Institution for Women (CIW). 2009 saw a quick return to Hemet Ryan as the Unit Air Attack Officer. In 2012, Travis made the lateral move to fill the newly developed CAL FIRE Tactical Air Operations, based in the Southern Region (CSR). He worked up to CAL FIRE Chief of Tactical Air Operations, Sacramento Headquarters, as the lead and point of contact to CAL FIRE’s interest in Fire Aviation operations and Military Agreements. 

Throughout his time with CAL FIRE, Travis took the lead and was instrumental in numerous budget proposals, developing and implementing Agency Policy, curriculum development, and course delivery. To list a few recent core programs: the S-70i Sikorsky Firehawk acquisition, C-130 airtanker development acquisition, CAL FIRE Air Rescue Hoist, CAL FIRE Helitack Basic Helicopter and Operations, CAL FIRE Air Base Operations, and CAL FIRE Aerial Supervision Module. After retiring from a productive 30-year career with CAL FIRE, Travis has worked for the Orange County Fire Authority as a Helicopter Coordinator and continues to serve as a Mission Commander for the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services with the Fire Integrated Real-Time Intelligence System Program (FIRIS).

Travis and his wife Teresa live in Lake Arrowhead, where they have raised two kids and enjoy traveling to the corners of this great Country in his Bonanza.

Jake brings more than 30 years of hands-on experience in fire suppression and aviation operations, supporting complex incidents across California. He most recently served as Battalion Chief and Air Tactical Group Supervisor at the Sonoma Air Attack Base, where he provided leadership of Air Attack and Helitack base operations.

Jake’s career spans both operational leadership and aviation program management, with extensive experience working directly with Incident Commanders to develop and implement strategy and tactics during high-tempo incidents. He has overseen base operations involving contract pilots, mechanics, retardant vendors, fuel providers, and regulatory partners, while managing Type I exclusive-use helicopter programs and ensuring safe and effective aviation operations.

His aviation background includes qualifications in aerial supervision roles such as Air Tactical Group Supervisor (ATGS), Helicopter Coordinator (HLCO) (day and night), Air Support Group Supervisor (ASGS), and Air Tanker Base Manager (ATBM). He has also served as an instructor and cadre member for multiple aviation and incident management courses, contributing to training, standardization, and program development.

Jake is known for his practical and operations-driven approach. He brings a strong foundation in both field operations and aviation coordination, supporting agencies in building effective, scalable aviation programs.

Ray is a highly experienced fire and aviation professional with over 30 years of service in wildland fire response, aviation operations, and all-hazard incident management. He retired from CAL FIRE as a Battalion Chief and Air Attack Base Manager at the Ukiah Air Attack Base, where he provided leadership over complex aerial firefighting operations and base management activities.

Throughout his career, Ray built extensive expertise in coordinating airspace and integrating aviation resources with ground operations on both initial and extended attack incidents. As a qualified Air Tactical Group Supervisor (ATGS), he worked directly with Incident Commanders to develop and implement strategy and tactics for wildfire suppression, often overseeing multiple aircraft in high-tempo, complex environments.

In addition to his operational roles, Ray held key leadership positions in training and program development. He served as a Training Captain for the Mendocino Unit, where he coordinated in-unit and out-of-unit training programs, managed certification systems, and instructed a wide range of ICS and fire service courses. He also contributed as an instructor, check airman, and cadre member in several statewide aviation and firing programs, helping to develop the next generation of fire and aviation professionals.

Ray’s field experience includes a wide range of ICS qualifications, including Division/Group Supervisor, Helicopter Coordinator, Strike Team Leader, Helibase Manager, and Air Tanker Base Manager. His broad operational background allowed him to serve in numerous command and general staff roles on incidents, as well as in aviation-specific leadership positions supporting both CAL FIRE and interagency operations.

Earlier in his career, Ray served in multiple Station Captain assignments within the Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit, where he was responsible for personnel, budgets, training, and all-risk incident response. He also played a key role in developing mutual aid agreements, conducting fire investigations, coordinating training burns, and supporting community engagement efforts.

Known for his strong operational background and practical leadership style, Ray brings a well-rounded perspective that bridges field operations, aviation coordination, and program management. His career reflects a consistent commitment to safety, training, and effective incident response across a wide range of emergency environments.