As a Registered Professional Forester (RPF) I began my career, with Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, in wildfire management as a wildland fire fighter within Alberta's Initial Attack Program (Helitak). From there a Wildfire Ranger with a focus in wildfire prevention initiatives, engaging and working with communities to reduce the risk of wildfire losses and to enhance safety in the wildland-urban interface through building and implementing Community Wildfire Protection Plans. That experience led me to the Provincial Forest Fire Centre where I currently manage the FireSmart Program for the Wildfire Management Branch of SRD.

I am the past President of Partners In Protection, a registered not-for-profit association with a multidisciplinary membership representing national, provincial and municipal associations and government agencies responsible for emergency response and public safety during a wildfire event that threatens people and communities. The association is committed to raising awareness, providing information and developing forums to address common problems that encourage community-based initiatives to reduce the risk of fire losses and enhance safety in the wildland/urban interface.

Partners In Protection is most recognized for its symposiums and published work; most notably the publication 'FireSmart - Protecting Your Community from Wildfire', widely considered to be the preferred standard for community wildfire protection in Canada today.

I currently maintain a Director's position with the International Association of Wildland Fire and chair the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) Wildfire Prevention Community-of-Practice; a national cooperative of FPT government agencies and external partners that have a role in wildfire prevention.