Changing The World Is Possible. We’ve Done It Before
Our leadership team brings years of experience to bear on the greatest challenge of our time. We’re results-driven, with a proven record of previous successes.
Michael Lozano, Director
Michael D. Lozano is an accomplished Assistant Chief at Metro Fire, where he has dedicated over 22 years of service, including more than nine years in his current role. His extensive experience encompasses a range of operational, command, and executive positions, such as Battalion Chief, Air Operations Program Manager, and Fire Marshal. He has also served as Shift Commander, Director of Training Health and Safety, and Special Operations Operator.
Chief Lozano brings specialized expertise in wildfire and prescribed fire management, leading operations, and training initiatives in these critical areas. He is well-versed in structure defense strategies and has actively advocated for community resiliency initiatives, working closely with local organizations to enhance preparedness and response efforts.
In addition to his diverse roles, Chief Lozano has taken on significant leadership responsibilities as an Incident Commander and Operations Section Chief within an Incident Management Team (type III). His comprehensive knowledge of wildfire operations and commitment to community safety have earned him recognition as an executive officer in the fire service. He holds a B.A. in Public Safety Administration from Grand Canyon University, underscoring his commitment to professional development.
Robert Burnham, Board Member
Mr. Burnham has been a professional natural resource specialist in both the private and public sectors for over 38 years. He has vast experience in wildfire risk analysis, utility right-of-way management and protection, fire management planning, natural resource planning, NEPA analysis, and vegetation management for public agencies and private sector clients. Mr. Burnham holds a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of California, Davis and completed post-graduate work towards a Master’s Degree in agricultural economics.
As a former federal fire program executive manager,
Mr. Burnham served as the Chief Deputy Director for Fire and Aviation Management, USDI, Bureau of Land Management, California State Office, Sacramento, California, and pos-sesses a thorough knowledge of inter-governmental operations and environmental regulatory issues. Mr. Burnham has developed numerous environmental management documents, and has implemented a large spectrum of federal fire planning and fire management projects in California. Mr. Burnham was also directly involved in wildfire incident management team operations, and served in several IMT functions, including Type 1 Incident Commander, Type 1 Incident Planning, Operation and Finance Section Chief(s), and Incident Air Attack Coordinator positions. He also functioned as the Team Leader of the USDI Joint Interagency Arson Task Force - California.
He was awarded U.S. Department of Interior's “Excellence in Ecosystem Management Award”, presented at the USDI Fire Program Managers Conference, Seattle WA.
Upon retirement from the USDI in 2000, Mr. Burnham became the owner and CEO of ERT Inc., a multi-million-dollar utility-service company that provided a full range of professional services and construction/vegetation management services to several major utilities in California. Mr. Burnham has functioned as the senior planner/consultant on several PG&E FERC hydroelectric relicensing projects, which consisted of vegetation surveys/fuel load inventories and fire behavior analysis, project-specific fire/fuels management/fire prevention/protection plans, and subsequently, implemented several FERC project-specific wildfire analysis reports and projects. Mr. Burnham also developed, patented and deployed a utility fire protection product, “Thermal Armour”, which is a long-term fire retardant treatment designed to protect wood utility poles from damage from high-intensity wildfires for the San Diego Gas and Electric Company. Mr. Burnham divested ERT in 2017. He has been also been invited as a presenter in several meetings of the International Utility Right-of-Way Symposium conferences to speak on the subject of wildfire protection involving transmission line infrastructure.
In 2018, Mr. Burnham formed Sierra Nevada Consulting Inc. As CEO and senior consultant/planning specialist for SNC Inc., Mr. Burnham utilizes his advanced experience in wildland fire planning, fire hazard/threat analysis, post-fire rehabilitation, fire behavior predictive modeling, and fire ecology for public utility clients. Mr. Burnham's most current work in SNC Inc. was to represent SMUD and the California Municipal Utilities Association (CMUA) client utilities (City of Palo Alto, City of Pasadena, City of Industry, etc.,) in challenging the California Public Utility Commission's (PUC) draft statewide utility fire risk hazard map. Mr. Burnham's SNC's fire risk expert team successfully contested the PUC's risk rating for several public utilities by creating individual fire behavior risk models and rationales which resulted in the PUC changing a portion of their respective statewide wildfire risk ratings.
In 2020, Robert became the CEO of Fortress North America, a chemical technology start-up that developed a next-generation fire retardant for use on wildland fires.
Professional History, Education, etc.:
Education:
Mr. Burnham has a B.S., Environmental Science from the University of California, Davis, CA, and has also completed the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy, and the Executive Leadership program at the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, CA. He is also a Master Graduate of Rapport International Leadership Institute.
US Dept. of Interior, Bureau of Land Management:
Chief Deputy Director, Fire and Aviation Management, California State Office, Sacramento, California;
Deputy Chief, Fire Operations, California State Office; and
Deputy Chief, Fire Planning and Fuels Management, Calif. State Office.
Area Manager, BLM California
District Fire Management Officer,
BLM California and Wyoming
National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), Senior Aviation Management Specialist – Helicopter Program, Boise Idaho.
Forest Service Experience:
Dist. Fuels Officer, Illinois Valley RD, Siskiyou N.F.
Helicopter Rappelling Specialist, La Grande Air Center, OR Wallowa-Whitman NF
Texas Canyon Hot Shot Crew, Angles N.F.
Awards: Awarded the National U.S. Department of Interior’s “Excellence in Ecosystem Management Award” presented at the US Dept. of the Interior Fire Program Manager’s Conference, Seattle WA.
Symposia
Presentations & Publications:
·
2018. "Assessing Wildfire Risks on Right of Ways in a Changing Environment". Paper presented and published for the 12th International Utility Right of Way Symposium, 2018. Denver, CO.
2016. "Wildfire Impacts on Transmission Line Right of Ways: Emerging Issues & New Mitigation Strategies. Paper presented at the 11th International Utility Right of Way Symposium - Environmental Concerns in Rights-of-Way Management Symposium.2012. Phoenix, AZ.
2015. Monterey County/Big Sur Multi Agency Coordination Meeting. “The Use of Prescribed Fire as a Watershed Restoration and Maintenance Tool in Monterey County”; Presentation to the Big Sur Multi Agency Mgt. Committee (MAC).
2012. “Fire in California Ecosystems: Integrating Ecology, Prevention and Management. U.C. Davis National Fire Management Symposium 2010. “Fuels Assessment, Treatment Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies”. Paper presented in San Diego, CA.
Sean Hendrix, Board Member
Sean Hendrix is a highly experienced wildland firefighting and forestry management professional with over 36 years of service, beginning his career in 1988. Throughout his extensive tenure in private firefighting industry, Sean has built a reputation for his strategic leadership, technical expertise, and innovative approach to fire management across the Western United States.
Currently, Sean is the Merlin Base Manager where he leads operations for multiple firefighting resources, including five 20-person hand crews, 14 Type 6 engines, Type 3 and 4 engines, and various specialized equipment such as dozers, masticators, and a UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) drone module. These teams and assets are deployed for prescribed burns, wildfire suppression, and forest fuels mitigation projects, reflecting Sean’s deep commitment to community safety and forest health.
Sean is certified as a Type 1 Burn Boss (RxB1) and Prescribed Fire Manager (RxMG) since 2002, Sean has extensive experience managing high-complexity prescribed burns with an emphasis on ecological restoration and fire risk reduction. His role involves planning and executing controlled burns to enhance forest resilience, applying advanced technologies, and implementing best practices to achieve effective outcomes. Since 2013, Sean has also played a crucial role in wildfire suppression throughout Oregon, leveraging his expertise in back-burning techniques to control and contain wildfires, mitigating their impact on communities and natural resources.
Sean’s contributions include his role as a collaborative partner in the Page Creek Community Forest Project, a milestone initiative aimed at building fire-resilient communities in Southern Oregon. This project involved the design, implementation, and monitoring of community-focused fire adaptation strategies, underscoring Sean’s commitment to community engagement and wildfire preparedness.
In addition to his management role, Sean is the UAS Manager, a position he has held since 2018. In this capacity, he leads the application of drones for thermal imaging and strategic ignitions, advancing safety and precision in both prescribed burns and wildfire suppression efforts. His work in integrating technology into fire management has positioned him as a leader in innovative firefighting practices.
Sean’s collaborative efforts extend nationally through his work with the National Wildfire Suppression Association (NWSA), where he participates in industry-wide initiatives to enhance safety standards and advance wildfire mitigation practices. His involvement with the NWSA exemplifies his dedication to fostering partnerships and driving forward-thinking solutions in fire management.
Passionate about his work, Sean describes his role as both a profession and a way of life, finding fulfillment in the dynamic challenges and natural beauty inherent in wildland fire management. His dedication to protecting communities and preserving the environment has made him a respected figure in the field, inspiring those who share his commitment to service, resilience, and innovation in the great outdoors.
Jessica Miller, Board Member
Jessica is a committed and passionate professional with extensive executive leadership and management experience. As the President of Pacific Ridgeline Forestry (PRF), she leads a family-owned business that has over 30 years of expertise in the forestry industry. PRF combines its deep-rooted knowledge with a strong commitment to excellence, sustainability, and environmental stewardship. The company specializes in land and habitat management, reforestation, and fire mitigation with a fleet of equipment and wide-range of resources and skilled labor.
In addition to her work with PRF, Jessica also serves as the Executive Director for Global Leadership Adventures, a program of Terra Education, where she holds the additional role of Executive Director of Risk Management. With nearly two decades of experience in social entrepreneurship, Jessica’s focus includes international education, youth development, and travel/risk management. She has worked closely with many nonprofits, NGOs, and other social causes to inspire the next generation of leaders, drawing from her extensive background in education, sales & marketing and public speaking.
As a proud first-generation college graduate and mother of two, she has a bachelor's degree from Oregon State University and speaks Spanish. She grew up around forestry and fire with brothers and many in-laws all committing their lives to the industry and had her own firsthand experience during the summer of 2004 while in college, serving as a fire relief hand crew member for a private forestry company in Southern Oregon. These experiences ignited a lasting interest and passion in this space and Jessica strives to be a changemaker, fostering strong relationships across the forestry and education sectors, and beyond.
Erin Fox, Board Member
Erin Fox is a dynamic and visionary leader with a robust background in the fire industry, specializing in wildfire mitigation and community safety. Currently serving as the Director of the Community Wildfire Resilience Coalition, Erin has played an instrumental role in breaking into a 23-year-old monopoly in the aerial retardant market through strategic collaboration and astute political advocacy.
Previously,
Erin worked with a pioneering startup where their innovative approach and leadership significantly enhanced community safety measures and promoted advanced wildfire mitigation strategies. Erin's efforts in this role not only increased community awareness but also led to substantial advancements in local fire prevention techniques.
With a diverse expertise in grant management and operations, Erin has successfully secured numerous grants aimed at addressing critical issues such as wildfire mitigation, affordable housing, workforce training, and comprehensive support for employees' mental and physical well-being. Their proficiency extends to initiatives focused on reducing carbon footprints and maximizing tax incentives, showcasing a holistic approach to both environmental and economic sustainability.
Erin’s achievements in securing funding have been pivotal in driving the mission of the Community Wildfire Resilience Coalition forward, ensuring the implementation of cutting-edge solutions and fostering a safer, more resilient community. Their dedication and innovative approach continue to inspire and effect positive change within the fire industry and beyond.