Officers

Chair - Tim Bickford, Maine Army National Guard

I was born and raised in the western Maine foothills and live in the same area today. I attended the University of Maine at Farmington and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science. I began my career working in a paper mill managing hazardous waste and working on river water quality projects amongst many other tasks. I then spent 2+ years working for the State of Maine Office of GIS before taking a position with the Maine Army National Guard as their Conservation Manager in 2001. My first experience with prescribed fire was in 2002 while at a training event at Camp Robinson, AR. Since then I have taken every opportunity I can to learn more, train more, and get on as many fires as I can while also managing the natural resources on Army National Guard training sites across the State. I have been fortunate to be able burn-in Arkansas, Florida, Texas, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and of course, Maine!

Vice Chair - Aliesha Black, Maine Forest Service

My introduction to wildfire was in 2007. My first assignment as a Forest Ranger was on a crew fighting fire in Quebec. Seeing fire applied as a suppression technique really got me interested in prescribed burning. As a Forest Ranger I am exposed to all aspects of fire. I am able to work with public and private landowners and guide them in management decisions using prescribed fire as a tool. I most recently was able to participate in a WTREX event in Florida Spring 2019. This prescribed burning training included participants and leadership from around the world.

Admin Coordinator & Treasurer -

Amanda Mahaffey, Forest Stewards Guild

Through my work at the Forest Stewards Guild, I've become involved I've become involved in prescribed fire and fire adapted communities. I coordinate workshops and webinars for the North Atlantic Fire Science Exchange, and partner with the Northeastern Forest Fire Protection Compact on planning training events that help put fire science into management on the ground. I had the privilege of joining the Maine Fire Crew as a civilian in 2018 on a wildfire assignment in Quebec. I look forward to helping bring more good fire to Maine!

Member at Large - Sean Campbell, Maine Dept. Inland Fisheries & Wildlife

I am a wildlife biologist with over 15 years of experience working with partners to restore habitats and manage wildlife and endangered species. I was first introduced to and trained in prescribed fire in Virginia, where I grew up and managed early successional habitats. Since then, I have continued to promote the use of prescribed fire as a management tool while working for USFWS and currently with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. I enjoy the collaborative efforts of prescribed fire in Maine, gaining knowledge from each burn, and watching the habitat and wildlife respond to the regrowth after fire.

PAST OFFICERS

(2019-2023)

Chair - Jon Bailey, The Nature Conservancy - Maine

Born a few short miles from a Maine blueberry barren that I currently manage with fire. I attended Unity College in Maine earning a BS in Land & Forestry Management in 2003. While at Unity I joined the Volunteer Fire Department developing a strong interest in both structural & wildland fire. The torch was now lit. Widened my skills by becoming an EMT and eventual president of Unity's Emergency Response Team, throwing double-bit axes in timber sports & dabbling in politics as student government vice president. In the summer of 2003, my professional fire career started as an engine crew member working as a wildland firefighter experiencing the West's large open flammable country. Continuing on both hand crews and wildland engines out west for a few seasons gaining valuable experiences. 2006 brought me full circle; With The Nature Conservancy in Maine in the town I grew up in. Time flies; currently 15 years with the Cornish Maine Volunteer Fire Department and have opportunities to burn and train in more than 26 different states. Including my ICT-4 finale evaluation with NPS in Everglades National Park. All with varying fuel complexity and great people get good fire on the ground. On September 10, 2012, I became a National Wildland Fire Cooperating Group (NWCG) certified Burn Boss. While maintaining my Wilderness First Responder certification. Now The Nature Conservancy's Southern Maine Land Steward/Fire Specialist, in addition to the chair and a founding member of the Maine Prescribed Fire Council.

(2020-2022)

Vice Chair - Chris O'Brien, USDA Forest Service (Retired)

I started my fire career in 1988 as a Shipboard Firefighter in the US Navy. After the Navy I worked as a ski patroller at Sunday River in Newry, Maine and attended school for Fire Administration at Harrisburg Community College (Structural Firefighter). In the summer of 1998 I worked on a brush crew clearing roads on the White Mountain National Forest damaged by the January 1998. I spent several seasons as seasonal employee for the White Mountains and was hired as full time wildland firefighter in 2001. I have been a type 2 prescribed fire burn boss since 2008. I am currently the North Zone Fire Battalion Chief for the White Mountain National Forest. I routinely go on western fire assignments as a line Safety Officer.