(Retired) Restoration ecologist

Originally from Kalispell, Montana, I began my career with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources as a Public Affairs Officer.  My fire career began shortly thereafter on the Hoosier National Forest in southern Indiana where I worked in the areas of endangered species management and the use of prescribed fire in ecosystem restoration.  While on a Type II Handcrew on the 2008 Tongue Complex Fire in Jarbidge, NV, I was drafted to assist a lone Information Officer working for Allen Johnson’s Type II Southern California Incident Management Team.  I have been an Information Officer ever since.  I currently serve the Eastern Area Complex Incident Management Team as one of their lead Information Officers and as a Liaison Officer.  Though now retired, while an employee of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, also as a restoration ecologist, I was privileged to pursue collateral duties that allowed me to focus on the development and delivery of materials related to wildland fire fighter situational awareness and mental health.  I continue to maintain an interest in fostering awareness of mental health issues in the wildland fire service.  My wife and two grown daughters, smarter and more engaging than I am, have been wonderfully supportive of these interests and efforts.