Leadership Team
Ryan Becker has over 20 years of experience in wildland fire technology development and management. From 1999-2019, he held the positions of Mechanical Engineer, Aviation Program Leader, Aerial Delivery Program Leader, Aerial Firefighting Study Program Leader, and National UAS Program Manager for the USFS. Prior to establishing Becker Support Services, he accepted the first-ever Wildfire Technology Manager position with Coulson Aviation USA from May to October 2019, where he developed an initial attack rotor-wing real-time intelligence system, led the first-ever procurement and development program for a dual-role leadplane equipped with a Type III infrared wildfire mapping system, and helped coordinate a real-time predictive fire growth modelling system that uses fire perimeter data delivered from aircraft while in flight.
He was also a sensor operator on night firefighting missions throughout Southern California. He transitioned to the Orange County Fire Authority’s Fire Integrated Real-Time Intelligence System (FIRIS) Program during 2020-2021 as the lead Airborne Sensor Operator for AEVEX Aerospace, where he developed intelligence product standards, collection procedures and training curricula while managing a staff of six and regularly flying initial attack missions on day and night shifts. As a Mechanical Engineer with the USFS’s National Technology and Development Program, he conducted onsite facility surveys of thirty-five USFS airtanker bases, served as a subject matter expert on airtanker and airtanker base risk assessments, supported smoke monitoring projects using a SODAR wind profiling instrument during prescribed fire operations, and managed qualification static and drop testing for the Neptune and Minden BAe-146, Aero Flite RJ-85, Erickson Aero Tanker MD-87, Coulson C-130, MAFFS II, 10 Tanker Air Carrier DC-10, and Evergreen/Global Supertanker 747 aircraft, as well as many SEATs and helicopters. As National UAS Program Manager, he developed a National Operations Plan, initiated a Programmatic Risk Assessment, reviewed and modified USFS aviation policy to appropriately address UAS, developed and coordinated cooperative agreements and funding for interagency UAS training and operations, and created a five-year strategic plan for the program.
Trevor Maynard is a licensed Professional Engineer with over 15 years’ experience in fire science and investigation. He has experience in both wildland and structural fire, serving as a Mechanical Engineer with the USDA Forest Service National Technology and Development Program and as a Supervisory Fire Protection Engineer with the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Fire Research Laboratory, where he performed experimental and computational analyses of fire dynamics to support fire investigations. With the USFS, Trevor led a study of remote sensing and its potential to augment or replace the traditional cup-and-grid method of quantifying drop pattern performance. He has a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Riverside, where his research focused on the fundamental physics of wildland fires. He is an FAA-licensed pilot and has been involved in flight simulation hardware and software integration for over 20 years.
Joel has served over 40 years as a firefighter for the USFS. He worked on the ground for 20 years as a hotshot, squad boss, Captain and Superintendent. Joel spent the last 20 years of his career in the air as an Air Attack, Air Attack Trainer, and Forest Aviation Officer. He is currently working with OCFA’s Quick Reaction Force where they are pioneering in the aerial firefighting space.
Ken has over 35 years of firefighting experience. He worked as a hotshot before transitioning to the air as a Smokejumper. After jumping for 8 years, Ken became a Division Supervisor, Incident III Commander, & FAA Senior Parachute Rigger/Test Jumper. Ken then served as an Air Tactical Group Supervisor. He currently serves as an aerial firefighting instructor across multiple organizations.
Gus has served over 30 years as firefighter as a Battalion Chief, Chief Officer, Logistics Section Chief, & Air Operations Branch Director. He has fought fire as an Air Attack for over 20 years, and has served as an Air Tactical Group Supervisor. Gus continues to work with OCFA’s Quick Reaction Force in addition to instructing aerial firefighters in various organizations.
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