MEET OUR EXPERT TEAM
Dedicated to Innovation and Environmental Safety in Wildland Urban Interface Wildfire Fighting Technology
Western States Fire Inc., the company behind the revolutionary patented SKHI-EX™ wildfire aerial fire suppression system. Our mission is to provide innovative and environmentally safe solutions to combat wildfires and protect communities domestically and internationally from the devastating impact of these natural disasters.
With a team of experts in firefighting, engineering, business management, chemistry, sustainability, and manufacturing, we have developed a cutting-edge aerial wildfire firefighting system that has revolutionized the industry. We are committed to delivering exceptional environmentally safe results and providing outstanding service to our customers.
Learn more about our company and our transformative SKHI-EX™ product, and discover how we can help you protect your community from the threat of ever-increasing wildfires.
MEET LARRY SUKAY
CEO & FOUNDER
The SKHI-EX™ aerial high expansion foam fire fighting system has been developed by Larry Sukay, CEO/Founder. He is the former Deputy Chief, in charge of departmental training for the Greensburg fire department in Western PA, and former Deputy Chief – Operations Elfin Forest/Harmony Grove Fire Department. Larry has a B.S. Degree in Business and a A.S. Degree in Fire Sciences. He and his team have performed successful proof of concept tests on a 1/16 scale volume system and have developed a proprietary foam concentrate that will be utilized in the system.
MANAGEMENT TEAM
James
McKim
Chief Engineer, B.S.M.E. University of Idaho
Jake Wylie
Senior Mechanical Engineer
Larry Stambaugh
Chairman of the Board
Randy Amerine
President & Chief Operating Officer
Christian Valderrama
VP Systems Integration, PDAC Systems Automation Controls
ADVISORS
Eddie Sell
Currently serves as the Fire Chief for the City of Hemet. Has worked for local, state and federal organizations, including the Bureau of Land Management, Cal Fire, and the Long Beach FD. President of the California State Firefighters Association. Member Board Of Directors FIRESCOPE, the California Fire Service Leadership Council, the FRCE’s Cardiac Advisory Committee.
Clayton
Howe
Retired USFS and BLM Division Chief, Chief Howe served, in addition to Fire Operations/Management duties, as Incident Commander Type III, Training Officer, Communications Officer, Fire Marshal, Fire Mitigation Specialist, Fire Investigator, Safety Officer, Agency Representative and Resource Advisor.
Dan Reese
26 years with California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) serving as Deputy Chief, Tactical Air Operations He played key role in developing state’s Tactical Air Operations (TAO) unit. Led development of CAL FIRE very large air tanker (VLAT) program. Went on to be the President of Global SuperTanker Services, where he developed world’s largest aerial firefighting platform.
Gary
Brown
Former Captain with Continental Airlines (B-727, B-737, DC-10, DC-9, MD-80), Gary has been a Wildlife Telemetry Locating & Forest Fire Air Tactical Commander, FAA Aircraft Inspector, FAA Designated Airworthiness Representative, and Inspector/flight counselor with the Experimental Aviation Association.