Our Team
Principal founders Jesse Marcotte and Tom Hughes bring nearly 45 years of combined fire service experience, including two decades in fire administration, training program management, community risk reduction, and strategic planning. Their leadership spans top-tier organizations in fire prevention, modern fire science research, instructor development, charitable initiatives, and municipal government.
Together, they’ve developed a wide range of task-level, tactical, and strategic training programs. Their expertise includes fire department operations, project management, community risk reduction, professional development, technical writing, and third-party organizational reviews for agencies such as ProBoard, ISO, and CFAI. Their blend of hands-on experience, formal education, and continuous growth drives a forward-thinking approach to fire service advancement.
Jesse Marcotte has presented at numerous national conferences, including FDIC and Firehouse World, and has led hands-on training classes nationwide. With a robust background in technical rescue and probationary firefighter training program management, Jesse specializes in evidence-based tactics, instructor development, building construction, and training for today’s fire service.
With over 23 years of progressive leadership experience, Jesse currently serves as Training Chief and, since 2023, as a Senior Training and Education Coordinator for the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), a division of UL Research Institutes. He is passionate about innovative training and continuing education approaches. Jesse has presented at various state and national conferences and is an active member of the ISFSI, where he also serves on the Board of Directors and as a lead instructor for several nationally delivered programs. He holds a Master of Science degree from Eastern Michigan University and is a graduate of the School of Fire Staff and Command.
Tom Hughes is an experienced fire service leader with over 21 years of progressive leadership in operations, community risk reduction, firefighter training, and organizational development. He currently serves as Deputy Fire Chief and holds dual credentials as a Fire Marshal (FM) and Chief Fire Officer (CFO) from the Commission on Professional Credentialing. His previous roles include Fire Marshal, Fire Inspector, and Firefighter/Paramedic. Tom holds a Master of Science from Eastern Michigan University, is a graduate of the School of Fire Staff and Command, and is completing his MBA from the University of Illinois in 2025 to further strengthen his strategic and operational expertise.
In addition to his public service, Tom is the founder and president of a local firefighters' charity fund and serves on several industry boards, including the Oakland County Association of Arson and Fire Investigators. His board work focuses on shaping fire service education, training standards, and professional development. Tom brings a growth mindset to every endeavor—fostering mentorship, collaboration, and continuous improvement.