COMPANY

Leadership Team

Leading from the Edge.

FireSwarm is built by a team of engineers, operators, and industry leaders with extensive experience across aviation, aerospace, wildfire response, and advanced technology.

United by a shared mission and a strong connection to the places we call home, we are hyper-focused on developing innovative systems that solve real-world challenges and support those working on the front lines.

  • A smiling middle-aged man with glasses, a beard, and a shaved head, wearing a dark jacket and a gray shirt, standing indoors.

    Alex Deslauriers

    Founder / CEO / Director

    Awardee: Named 2025 Maclean's Nation Maker, Innovation

    Alex brings 25 years of Solution Architecture in the Airline, Aerospace and Defense sectors, specializing in solving complex Aviation ERP implementation problems. As an aerospace engineer, certified airline rated pilot, and dedicated Search & Rescue volunteer, Alex brings a passion for innovation at the convergence of aeronautics and emergency management.

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  • A man in a pink dress shirt and gray blazer, smiling outdoors with a blurred background.

    David Thanh

    Founder / COO

    Awardee: King Charles III Coronation Medal 2025

    David has over 20 years of leadership in the areas of healthcare, wildfire management, and international emergency response. He’s led a UN team in Ukraine, aided the World Health Organization's logistics, and has served the BC Wildfire Service going on 10 years as Fire Warden, focusing on prevention, response, and UAV programs.

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  • Portrait of a smiling middle-aged woman with blonde hair, black glasses, and wearing a black top with a gold necklace.

    Melanie Bitner

    Founder / CMO

    Awardee: 2026 BCBusiness Women of The Year – Innovation

    With 25+ years across diverse industries, Melanie is highly skilled in corporate communications, relationship building, brand strategy and marketing. Committed to projects benefiting people and the planet, she combines strategic thinking with practical execution to align with business goals.

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  • Chris Gillen Business Development FireSwarm

    Chris Gillen

    Head of Business Development & Director

    Recognized as the recipient of the inaugural 'Top 20 under 40' award in 2012

    Chris Gillen brings over two decades of project management and executive leadership experience in Information Technology. Chris has since expanded his expertise into business development, including economic development initiatives with First Nations. His dedication extends to mentoring a diverse array of individuals across Canada through the Prince's Trust, demonstrating his commitment to supporting veterans and fostering talent nationwide.

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  • A woman with curly brown hair, wearing a white shirt and navy blazer, smiling in front of a neutral background.

    Juliet Jones

    Fractional CFO

    Juliet brings 30 years of executive experience in the technology industry, spanning strategic planning and execution from startup to exit. As CFO, she has taken multiple companies public on the TSX Venture Exchange, raised over $100 million in debt and equity, and increased market capitalization of one tech company to over $350 million.

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  • Brad Robeson

    Brad Robeson

    Chief of Staff, Head of Strategic Partnerships

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