Commanding Officer, Maritime Support Group CAPT (CA) / January, 2021 — June, 2025

Commander of California State Guard Maritime Support Group

Director, Government and External Affairs, Fortress Fire Retardants / November, 2023 — March, 2025

• Post-acquisition, specifically selected to lead external relationship management with US Forest Service (USFS), other agencies, and oversaw both state and federal lobbyists. • Led Congressional Hill visits and engaged in Federal agency contract negotiations.

Chief, Base Operations Officer / April, 2022 — November, 2023

Chief, Base Operations oversees all aspects of Fortress’ air tanker base infrastructure and operations. Fortress, is a new and innovative fire retardant company that has designed and developed the Fortress family of “21st Century” long-term fire retardants. Led operations for the first company to challenge the retardant monopoly using “Zero to One” principles with rapid ‘blitz-scaling’ of four Starlink-enabled mobile retardant bases across multiple western states, passing an operational field evaluation in 2023.

Director, Chairman of Fire and Aviation Board of Directors, Pacific Southwest Region-California / May, 2017 — March, 2022

-Chairman of the Board of Directors representing all 18 National Forest leadership for collective solutions for wildfire air and ground fuels planning and response across more than 20 million acres of federal land in some of the most complex wildland urban interface areas in the world. -Led more than 5,000 wildland firefighters across California through five unprecedented fire-years; with eight of the largest California wildfires in history, 13 of the 20 most destructive wildfires in history, as well as the two years of wildfire response during the COVID-19 pandemic. -Member of FIRESCOPE Board of Directors to provide national leadership in the development of all-hazard incident management and multi-agency coordination systems, to enhance and encourage full participation by the California fire service in the statewide Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System, and to provide a common voice for the California fire service relating to these issues. -Garnered additional wildfire response resources to mobilize in support of the ongoing wildfires across California-mobilizing US Army, Marine Corps and CALGUARD military units, as well as international partners from Australia, Canada and Mexico. -Developed innovative and "out of the box" solutions for remote sensing of wildfires, in particular fast, wind-driven wildfires that necessitate the need for real-time unmanned or space-based assets to augment existing systems to build the cutting-edge concept of wildfire intelligence-Presented to International Association of Wildland Fire in 2021. -Principal thought leader on innovations of using untapped space-based infrared assets to support wildfire incident commanders with DIA, US Air Force and later US Space Command garnering $2.5M Grant to test and refine the concept eventually defined as "FireGuard" wildfire detection system now employed nationally.

Incident Commander, Pandemic Coordinator / January, 2021 — May, 2021

Acting Incident Commander and Pandemic Coordinator for Pacific Southwest Region of the US Forest Service for 5,000 Federal Employees that manage the National Forests in California and the Pacific Islands. Delegated Full Authority as Incident Commander to manage COVID Emergency Response Team managing complex COVID-19 related issues relating to policy and operations across California. Interact with Washington Office National Headquarters, FEMA, as well as State and Local Partners to use best practices to use a risk-based approach to continue operations amid pandemic protocols. Manage employee work related COVID-19 exposures using protocols for contract tracing, evaluation of determination of work related exposure, management of Agency provided hoteling for quarantine logistics, as well as case tracking for 5,000 person workforce across California. Coordinate with FEMA and other Agencies with US Forest Service Fire and Aviation Emergency Medical Technicians who are acting as vaccinators at Federal Mega-vaccination sites in Oakland, California.

Forest Supervisor/ Agency Adminstrator / July, 2014 — May, 2017

Managed the Los Padres National Forest, totaling a land mass of almost 2 Million acres, from semi-desert in interior areas to the rugged coastal redwood forest on the Big Sur coast, for current and future generations. Interact with the public, partners, elected leadership, and fellow government officials in land and emergency management functions that serve an enormous population base including Santa Barbara coast, Monterey/Big Sur, the greater Los Angeles Metropolitan area, and the southern San Joaquin Valley. Acted as Agency Adminstrator for a $19.6 million Fire and Aviation Program that is both large and complex with responsibility for some of the most challenging wildland urban interface/intermix in the nation, which historically burns an average of 25,000 acres a year. Provided strategic leadership in fuels mitigation, fire prevention, and suppression objectives in keeping with values at risk while cooperating extensively with CAL FIRE, six different counties, the City of Santa Barbara, and two DOD installations (Vandenberg Air Force Base and US Army Garrison Fort Hunter Liggett).

Deputy Director, National Headquarters, Fire and Aviation Management / January, 2012 — July, 2014

-Provided strategic oversight and direction, as well as expert business and technical leadership and decision-making, for complex and high-profile Fire and Aviation Management (FAM) programs across all National Forests in the United States. -Developed and managed national wildfire budgets averaging $2.2B per year; subordinate staff elements with over $6M in operating funds, and skillfully direct and manage highly technical and complex contracts of more than $154M for national aviation assets in 2012. -Led efforts in wildfire operations, aviation, and risk management to transform Fire and Aviation in a myriad of complex operational, planning, and response issues related to USFS land and emergency management at a national scale of over 10,000 firefighters, expending more than $60 million a week in 2012. -With an overall vision to manage wildland fires from a risk perspective, leveraged a 24+-year career in military leadership, aviation, operations, training, and fire management to create and deploy cutting-edge technologies that meet not only current but also anticipated needs to support operations, planning, and executive decision making related to wildland fire management. -Encouraged greater cooperation with stakeholders in multiple federal, state, and local agencies on issues of arson, terrorism, and wildfires. Presented a keynote to Firehouse World on pyroterrorism to promote the safety and security of citizens from this looming risk.

Acting Deputy Director CAL FIRE (Detail from USFS) / January, 2014 — May, 2014

Executive Leadership and Management: During an unprecedented drought, acted as an embedded member of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) staff in the core group that supports the Chief in decision-making and policy development. Provided executive input to program goals and implementation as part of the staff of a key State partner to the Forest Service. Fully immersed in CAL FIRE’s strategy, development, and implementation of budget change requests to the California Legislature to increase response capabilities to meet the increased wildfire threat due to persistent drought. Interacted with key officials, from within and/or outside the agency, to gain understanding and support for the complex and multi-faceted program that directly impacts the Forest Service as a partner. Attended engagements with other partners such as CAL OES, CALTRANs, and California National Guard in dialog about a program that responds to an average of 5,600 wildfires each year, burning over 172,000 acres annually.

Branch Head, Center For Irregular Warfare / April, 2009 — January, 2012

-Made significant contributions to analyses and recommendations for the future of USMC efforts, budget, and personnel requirements related to Irregular Warfare (IW). -Created and executed complex operational and strategic plans; used plans to refine concepts and create implementation timelines with specific action items to reorganize and realign adaptations for the USMC to counter irregular threats. -Handpicked for high-profile Force Structure Review Group (FSRG) and post-Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) efforts to envision future USMC requirements to reorganize for maneuver warfare operations to counter irregular threats in Irregular Warfare(IW). -Name-requested to serve as adjunct Faculty for Command and Staff College for the first-ever Red Team during Capstone Exercise Nine-Innings. -Lead planner and action officer for Joint IW Exercise 2011; also provided expertise for Attack the Network and Counter Threat Finance (CTF) activities in Counterinsurgency (COIN). -Led, managed, and oversaw a team of a dozen military, civilian, and contracted support analysts engaged in researching, planning for, and making recommendations in a "think-tank" environment.

Deputy, 1st Marine Division G-3 Operations / March, 2008 — April, 2009

-Act as Deputy of Operations for the largest Division in the US Marine Corps. Identify and solve operational issues, frame commander's critical information requirements, envision emerging operational opportunities, and coordinate rapid staff action in support of the Commanding General’s decision making process. -Led a group of 30+ planners into the exceptionally complex operational task of transitioning the combat force from one country to another. Fitness report stated, “Through brilliant action, initiative, and leadership, LtCol Baird became the central operational planner for the USMC’s strategic transition from Iraq to Afghanistan.” -Leveraged experience, keen insights and collaborative drive to lead staff and planners to devise innovative solutions to complex problems. Recognized for ability to clearly and compellingly present plans in briefings, papers, dialog, and speeches. -Assist and advise the G-3 in all aspects of Division operations both in CONUS and OCONUS, predeployment training for OIF/OEF, and monitor ongoing combat operations of 1st MARDIV units. -Personally took lead of planning, selection, training, and deploying 120 combat replacements for Task Force 2/7 in order to ensure they were combat ready by deployment date. -Led initial 1st MARDIV Marine Brigade Planning in response to requirements for OEF and Campaign Planning that initiated a comprehensive staff effort to envision a two-year holistic, integrated, "way ahead".

Chief of Plans, I Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) / January, 2006 — January, 2008

Served as MEF Chief of Plans (a Colonel's Billet); Recognized as a Subject Matter Expert on conflict and the enemy supporting forces in combat and advanced staff planning in support of three-star operating forces staff during a complex reorganization. Identified and initiated coordinated contingency planning actions with NORTHCOM to fully support emergency response for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Skillfully prepared and delivered oral and written briefs to senior Command staff. Recognized for outstanding ability to convey complex ideas, concepts, guidance, independent reading, research, and military development. Planned and deployed Mission Rehearsal Exercise; identified and incorporated lessons learned to enhance processes. Led and directed a team of 57 personnel, including other Lieutenant Colonels, Majors, and other officers and high-level enlisted personnel. Established organizational vision for mission achievement, leveraged diverse talents of team members, and developed subordinates for career advancement. Set short- and long-term priorities and broadly promoted and developed employee capabilities. Published Master's Thesis from the School of Advanced Warfighting titled Pyroterrorism: The Threat of Arson-Induced Wildfires as a Terrorist Weapon of Mass Destruction. Explored the real threat of pyro-terrorism—the use of arson as a deliberate terrorist tactic. This work highlights the potential for wildfires to be weaponized to devastate regional economies, overwhelm suppression resources, and erode public confidence in homeland security. This emerging threat underscores the importance of identifying vulnerabilities and proactively mitigating risks. Understanding and preparing for unconventional tactics like pyro-terrorism can strengthen our resilience and protect our communities from natural and human-made disasters.

Infantry Officer, Plans Officer / April, 1990 — February, 2006

Marine Air-Ground Officer in Various Training, Plans, and Command Positions.

Enlisted Marine / Officer Candidate (PLC) / August, 1986 — January, 1990