Exciting Additions to the NWSA Team

NWSA is thrilled to announce several new partnerships and staffing updates that will benefit our members, strengthen our programs, and support the continued professionalism of our industry. These individuals and organizations bring deep experience and proven expertise that will help us grow, adapt, and lead.

Training Coordinator – Darron Williams

We’re pleased to welcome Darron Williams as NWSA’s new Training Coordinator. With more than thirty years of wildland fire experience, Darron will collaborate closely with our Training Committee to strengthen our training programs.

Currently serving as Assistant Fire Management Officer for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Northwest Region through June 2025, Darron has held key leadership roles since joining the BIA in 2011—including Fire Management Officer at the Umatilla Agency and later for the entire region beginning in 2017.

Darron’s commitment to service is evident in his time with the Bureau of Land Management Honor Guard (2000–2007) and in founding the BIA Northwest Region Honor Guard in 2023. He remains active in fire operations as a Division Group Supervisor for Great Basin Team 7, serves in advisory roles, and is a spokesperson for the Wildland Firefighter Foundation.

He lives with his wife, Michelle, and their three children in a strawbale home in Oregon’s high desert—proof of his dedication to sustainability and a life of purpose.

Media Strategist – Kelli Matthews

Kelli Matthews joins NWSA as our new Media Strategist, bringing over 20 years of experience in public relations, strategic communications, and media strategy. Kelli is also a longtime instructor at the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication, where she keeps her finger on the pulse of industry trends and innovations.

As founder and managing director of Verve Northwest Communications, Kelli has helped organizations of all sizes navigate crises, elevate their media presence, and drive digital engagement. Her prior work in our industry includes handling high-profile media responses after serious incidents—experience that brings critical insight and care to our communications strategy.

Government Strategy Consultant – Tiffany Taylor

NWSA has engaged Tiffany Taylor of Taylor Contracting LLC as a Government Strategy Consultant based in Washington, D.C.. With 25 years of experience in federal procurement and policy, Tiffany offers unmatched expertise in government contracting and wildfire-related acquisition strategy.

Her credentials include:

• Senior Policy Director for the United Aerial Firefighters Association.

• Former Senior Procurement Executive and Program Management Improvement Officer for USDA.

• Developer of the USDA Procurement Training Program and Forest Service Incident Support restructuring.

• Lead on the Transforming Incident Procurement Project (a USDA/DOI collaboration).

Tiffany’s leadership in shaping federal wildfire contracting policy will support our advocacy and member success in this fast-changing regulatory environment.

IT Security – MCS Inc.

To meet the standards of our cybersecurity insurance policy and to assure members that their information is secure, we have retained MCS Inc., an IT security firm. This engagement ensures our systems remain protected, backed up, and compliant with partners like Intuit and PayPal.

Accounting Support – Acuity Inc.

We have also contracted with Acuity Inc., an accounting firm that performs our audited year-end financial review and handles our annual tax filings.

Investing in the Future of Our Industry

These strategic additions represent a significant investment in our mission and the future of wildfire contracting. To help support these efforts, we invite you to contribute to the Wildfire Industry Protection Fund. Instead of raising dues, we’re asking for voluntary donations to help cover the costs of these roles during this critical time.

Your support ensures we continue to lead the conversation around wildfire response and contractor advocacy. Contributions can be made online at https://nwsa.us/news/wildfire-industry-protection-fund/, over the phone at 503-897-6150, or by mailing a check to:

NWSA
P.O. Box 169
Mill City, OR 97360

Please earmark checks for the Wildfire Industry Protection Fund.

Why Your Support Matters

We understand the financial challenges facing small businesses. Still, these roles are essential to protecting your right to work and keeping our industry front and center in national wildfire response conversations. The landscape is evolving rapidly, and NWSA is committed to helping our members lead the way.

Thank you to those who have already contributed. Your generosity directly supports the abovementioned work and helps us move the entire industry forward.

NWSA is a 501(c)(6) business organization.