Our Team.
The Hill Country Fire Coalition of Texas is led by a group of volunteers dedicated to increasing awareness of wildfire risks across Kendall County and helping to identify actions that private property owners can take to reduce that risk. It's neighbors helping neighbors, because together we can do more!
Christie Wiley, Director
Christie retired from the federal government with more than 15 years in wildland fire and incident management and nearly 30 years in crisis communication. She was the public information officer (PIO) for a Type 1 national incident management team, and the US Forest Service representative during the national effort to develop the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy. As volunteer project manager, Christie led the Kendall County Community Wildfire Protection Plan’s core team and developed the county’s CWPP. Together with the goals of the National Cohesive Strategy, the CWPPP is the Coalition’s roadmap and guiding document.
Christie’s sets team objectives, strategies, and priorities.
DW Invans, Assistant Director for Operations
DW graduated from Stephen F. Austin with a Bachelor of Forest Management degree. He was an industrial forester with Kirby/Louisiana Pacific for 17 years before he joined the National Park Service where he served as a prescribed fire specialist and then ultimately, fire management officer (fire chief) for the National Park Service’s West Texas Group, which included the Big Bend National Park, Lake Amistad, Fort Davis, Guadalupe Mountains, Carlsbad Caverns, and White Sands fire programs. D.W. continues to maintain his fire qualifications by deploying regularly with the Texas Baptist Men’s disaster deployment team and as an Incident Commander Type 3 for to the West Texas Parks during high fire danger severity. He recently retired to Comfort, Texas.
As Assistant Director for Operations, DW directs and plans projects, ensures all required pre-planning is completed, and all safety practices are implemented prior to any activity.
Doug Meckel, Assistant Director for Logistics
Doug was the volunteer project coordinator for the Kendall County Community Wildfire Protection Plan’s Core Team. He is a lifelong resident of Kendall County who began his fire career as a volunteer firefighter with the Boerne Volunteer Fire Department during high school. Over the next 47 years, he held positions of progressive authority in the fire service, ultimately retiring from the City of Boerne, after 17 years as Fire Chief. Doug’s comprehensive knowledge of fire management and his knowledge of Kendall County was invaluable in creating the county’s CWPP.
As AD for Logistics, Doug ensures the provisions of facilities, workforce, and supplies are provided for each program, project or fundraising activity. He works with the Assistant Director of Operations to assist with and ensure projects and programs are successfully coordinated; works with Assistant Director of Finances to procure services and supplies required for each program or project; and provides all appropriate financial documents to the Assistant Director of Finance at the conclusion of each program/project for payment.
Mike Nelson, Assistant Director for Planning
Mike retired from the United States Air Force after 30 years of enlisted and commissioned service. Col Nelson’s career included support of both the Aeromedical Evacuation and Expeditionary Medical missions. His professional disciplines include Joint Leadership, Contingency Operations, and Disaster Preparedness. After leaving the Air Force, Mike accepted a position at USAA as Senior Program/Project Manager for Bank Business Continuity. In this position, Mike worked in partnership with Enterprise Resilience, the Bank's Situation Management Team, and Bank leadership.
As Assistant Director for Planning, Mike is responsible for the team’s strategic plans.
Maxie Zinsmeister, Assistant Director for Outreach
Maxie retired from IBM as a Database Analyst. In his role as AD of Outreach, Maxie will work with other team members to prepare for and arrange our Community Workshops.
As Assistant Director for Outreach, Maxie is responsible for our website, social media updates, and media relations.
Eddie Mazurek, Assistant Director for Finance
Eddie recently retired from the Knights of Columbus after 33 years as a field agent. He has extensive experience with nonprofit organizations in the treasurer’s role and fundraising.
As Assistant Director for Finance, Eddie is responsible for fundraising and financial management.