News Release
Michael Gue
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Contact: Scott Pardue, 239-695-1107
OCHOPEE, FL – The National Park Service (NPS) is pleased to announce that South Florida Fire & Aviation - Big Cypress National Preserve Helicopter Program Manager Mike Roof is the recipient of the 2022 National Park Service Excellence in Mentorship Aviation Award.This prestigious award recognizes an individual or organization who, through training and mentorship of aviation personnel goes above and beyond normal expectations to assist others in developing their personal or professional aviation growth.
Roof has served as the Big Cypress National Preserve Helicopter Program Manager since 2017. Over the past 5 years, he has been essential to the development of the aviation program. Roof has worked tirelessly to train, recruit and grow a small program that began with one Bell 206 B3 Jet Ranger and two crew members to one of the most active aviation programs in the country.
Today, the program staffs a Bell 206 L3 Long Ranger with seven employees. The Big Cypress aviation program also supports a federally maintained fuel farm and trailer, UAS operations and exposure, and manage an average of 300 flight hours a year between the NPS Bell 206 and contract aircraft operations. Crew members are continuously working on improving their qualifications and leadership skills with the encouragement and guidance of Roof.
“Mike excels in his position while rising his crew and program to the highest level in wildland fire and aviation management” said James Sullivan, chief of fire & aviation for South Florida National Parks & Preserve. Orlando Genao, deputy fire management officer for Big Cypress National Preserve notes that “Mike’s loyalty to his program and his people are unfaltering.”
Roof’s peers and cooperators, from multiple agencies, consistently recognize his positive attitude, leadership, cooperation, and his dedication to the aviation program and the people who are a part of it.
This past year, Roof has also focused on increasing training opportunities for not only his only employees but over a dozen detailers from across the nation. Detailers are able to obtain experience on wildfires and prescribed fires throughout the year, obtaining new skills and knowledge provided by the Big Cypress aviation program, as well as sharing their own unique skills.
“The National Aviation Office (NAO) appreciates all the work Mike did in 2022 regarding mentorship within the aviation community and wanted to formally express our appreciation. He truly is an asset to BICY and the overall NPS aviation program,” said National Aviation Branch Chief John Buehler.
Last updated: March 3, 2023