I grew up in Maine and spent nearly a decade working as a commercial fisherman before eventually heading west to work in wildland firefighting. That journey brought me to Colorado, and somewhere along the way the mountains, forests, and public lands here started to feel more like home than anywhere else.

The name White Elk Forestry comes from a trail run near Jacks Gulch in the spring of 2020. While running through the forest, I was fortunate enough to spot a rare white elk. It was one of those moments that stops you in your tracks and reminds you why wild places matter. Later that same year, I found myself back in that same area working on the Cameron Peak Fire. Seeing those landscapes from both perspectives—first as a visitor and then as a firefighter—left a lasting impression on me.

To me, the white elk represents everything that drew me to Colorado in the first place: wildlife, healthy forests, public lands, and the connection people have to the outdoors. It also serves as a reminder that these places aren’t guaranteed. They require stewardship, responsible management, and in many cases proactive wildfire mitigation to remain healthy and resilient.

Over the years I’ve worked as a commercial fisherman, wildland firefighter, ironworker, and forestry professional. Each taught me the value of hard work, self-reliance, and taking pride in doing things the right way. White Elk Forestry is the result of those experiences and a desire to spend my days working outdoors, helping people care for their land, and contributing in a small way to the long-term health of Colorado’s forests and mountain communities.