ABOUT US
President Of Operations/ Co Founder
Clay Clark
With over a decade of experience partnering with law enforcement and forestry agencies throughout Oregon, Clay Clark brings a proven track record of leadership, strategic expertise, and an unwavering commitment to enhancing public safety and environmental conservation.
Clay’s dedication to operational excellence, combined with his passion for protecting natural resources, has been instrumental in driving the success and impact of our program. His collaborative approach and deep understanding of the challenges facing our communities and ecosystems make him an invaluable asset to our organization.
Chief Executive Officer/ Co Founder
Jeff Juker
As CEO of First Defense Aerial, Jeff Juker is instrumental in guiding the organization’s strategic direction and operational success. With over a decade of experience in aviation management, Jeff brings a wealth of expertise and proven leadership to the effective oversight of our helicopter fleet. His deep industry knowledge ensures the highest standards of safety, efficiency, and operational excellence are consistently met.
Jeff’s unwavering commitment to these principles directly supports our mission to protect and serve the communities in which we live and operate. His dedication to upholding public trust and advancing safety initiatives underscores First Defense Aerial’s core values and reinforces our impact in the field.
Chief Strategy Officer/ Co Founder
Ross Barnes
Ross Barnes is the strategy mastermind of First Defense Aerial, bringing over 15 years of distinguished experience in the aviation industry. As a certified pilot and seasoned operations manager, Ross has held key roles at multiple FAA-compliant aviation organizations, honing his expertise in safety protocols, operational efficiency, and strategic leadership.
His deep industry knowledge and commitment to excellence ensure that First Defense Aerial maintains the highest standards of safety and performance. Ross’s dedication to these principles not only strengthens our team but also reinforces our mission to serve and protect the communities we operate in. His leadership continues to be a driving force behind our success and impact.
Don't let this become your backyard...
Our Mission Statement:
To provide an immediate and uninterrupted fire response that prevents wildfires from forming.
How We Will Achieve This:
By utilizing a subscription based service for Clackamas County residents to ensure they are guaranteed aerial firefighters.
“I have been a Clackamas County resident my whole life. In these years I have had the opportunity to see first-hand the potential detriment that our county's diverse landscape presents to both local fire and police especially with my father spearheading SAR efforts in various metrics throughout this time.
Clackamas County is constantly at battle with the division of Federal, State, County, and private land divisions regarding firefighting issues. Our current aerial solution to fighting both wildfires, and supporting search and rescue efforts is mediocre at best.
Lets streamline this process by utilizing crowdfunding of our county's constituents and empower the people in our community to put their trust and funding behind a privately contracted helicopter company that will guarantee they get the job done.”
Jeff Juker