Revolutionizing Aerial Firefighting

Committed to saving lives, the environment and hundreds of billions of dollars.

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About Us

Driven by a mission to protect ecosystems, communities, and economies, Herk Global Corp. ("Herk") plays a vital role in reducing the devastation caused by wildfires—preventing environmental loss and safeguarding lives, property, and natural habitats.

Herk was originally founded as an FAA-certified Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) provider, servicing a wide range of aircraft, including the C-130. The company supported both private sector clients and government agencies with specialized aviation services.

Herk developed particular expertise with the C-130 platform, completing full restorations, installing advanced dispersion systems, and performing various custom modifications. Over time, Herk built the in-house capabilities—certifications, equipment, and skilled personnel—to service and modify its own fleet without relying on third-party contractors.

Several years ago, Herk began acquiring C-130 aircraft with the strategic goal of converting them into firefighting and prevention platforms. The company has since designed and patented a cutting-edge, aircraft-agnostic dispersion system capable of deploying multiple compounds, including Phos-Chek, on both fixed-wing and rotary aircraft—without requiring structural modifications to the aircraft.

As a fully integrated owner-operator, Herk achieves significant cost savings and operational efficiency by managing refurbishment and deployment internally.

Herk Global Aviation Team

The Growing Wildfire Crisis

Wildfires have emerged as one of the most destructive and costly natural disasters, with alarming increases in intensity and frequency worldwide due to climate change.

56,580

Wildfires across the US in 2023 alone

$394-893B

Annual cost of wildfires in the United States

4,318

Structures destroyed, including 3,060 homes

In 2023, there were 56,580 wildfires across the US alone, burning 2,693,910 acres, destroying 4,318 structures including 3,060 homes, and killing hundreds of people. These numbers more than doubled in just one year and are already on track to double again due to the fires in the early months of 2025.

Wildfires are rapidly increasing climate change, causing increased carbon emissions, air pollution, deforestation, and loss of wildlife. This is occurring around the world.

Before and After Wildfire Prevention

The Pacific Palisades Fires

The Pacific Palisades and surrounding area 2025 fires resulted in $150+ Billion in damages, 13,000+ structures destroyed, many lives lost, thousands of families displaced, and severe environmental damage.

All of this was avoidable.

Herk delivers innovative wildfire solutions through a breakthrough approach that combines active fire suppression with large-scale prevention. Unlike competitors who focus solely on fighting existing fires, Herk also proactively prevents them — treating high-risk areas in advance using its proprietary technology.

Prevention Is The Cure

C-130 Aircraft Releasing Fire Retardant

Herk Global Corp. is revolutionizing aerial firefighting. We acquire and transform aircraft into state-of-the-art firefighting units, then operate those aircraft for prevention missions and firefighting missions (i.e., extinguishing and suppressing existing fires from spreading).

Proactive Prevention

Herk is the first to integrate a proactive prevention model at scale, which treats high-risk areas and prevents fires from occurring or reaching residential areas in jeopardy. While competitors focus on mitigating active fires, Herk provides both traditional firefighting services AND proactively prevents fires before they start.

Established Partnerships

By securing contracts with the Forest Service and other agencies, Herk ensures a solid base income derived from well-established firefighting missions and the economics that go with it.

Proprietary Technology

Herk's aircraft are equipped with proprietary dispersion technology with dual functionality—usable for both fire suppression and prevention, as well as non-fire related missions like oil spill cleanup. Our system is lightweight, scalable, and costs less than half of other systems in the market.

Green Initiatives

All compounds used in Herk's missions are proven, biodegradable, and environmentally safe. Once applied to the ground and foliage, these compounds act as natural fertilizers. Our efforts significantly reduce large-scale carbon emissions and deliver a wide range of economic and societal benefits.

Business Model & Market Strategy

Aircraft Acquisition & Operations

Herk specializes in acquiring, refurbishing, and retooling C-130 aircraft into advanced aerial firefighting units. These aircraft are then deployed on firefighting missions, primarily under long-term government contracts.

The company has spent years securing regulatory approvals, strategically planning fleet expansion, developing and engineering proprietary dispersion systems, and identifying additional revenue streams. With operational readiness approaching, Herk is positioned for rapid market entry and expansion.

Market Demand for Large Air Tankers (LATs)

Aerial firefighting involves a variety of aircraft, but Large Air Tankers (LATs)—such as the C-130 and Boeing 737—are the most effective scalable solution. LATs can carry up to 4,000 gallons of fire retardant, making them critical assets for wildfire suppression.

Herk has chosen C-130s as its primary platform due to their superior performance, high revenue-to-operating cost ratio, and strong long-term asset value. Demand for LATs far exceeds supply—a gap that Herk is strategically positioned to fill.

High-Demand, Low-Supply Market

  • Aerial firefighting is a critical yet under-served industry, with increasing demand for advanced firefighting aircraft.
  • The most desirable and scarcest type of aircraft for fire missions is the C-130. Herk specializes in this type of aircraft.

Strong Financials & Profit Margins

  • Aircraft investments maintain their value, ensuring high residual worth.
  • Each aircraft generates $15M+ in annual revenue with operating costs at only 20% of revenue.
  • Revenue projections backed by 10-year government contracts at $10.5M per fire season.

Proven & Disruptive Model

  • PROVEN: Firefighting contracts for aerial tankers are an established and lucrative business. This secures our base revenue stream.
  • DISRUPTIVE: Herk is additionally pioneering large-scale wildfire prevention—an untapped market. These services can be offered without any additional investment.

Significant Barriers to Entry

  • The industry is highly regulated, with complex certification requirements.
  • Herk's proprietary technology for both extinguishing fires and prevention are currently in the patent-pending stage.
  • It would take competitors years to develop and certify systems that provide the type of services Herk can offer today.

Fleet & Investment Strategy

Herk currently owns two fully paid for C-130s, nearing operational readiness. Once fully converted, each aircraft will be valued at $30+ million. Total value for both will be $60 Million.

Herk will acquire and convert an estimated 10 additional aircraft over the next eighteen months, scaling operations from there based on demand. Herk expects to be able to maintain similar financial metrics for each aircraft it acquires.

C-130 Aircraft Maintenance

Revenue Sources

US Government Contracts

Herk's primary revenue comes from long-term contracts (typically 10 years) with U.S. government agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service and CalFire, providing substantial and reliable seasonal income.

International Contracts

Herk targets contracts in fire-prone countries in both the Southern Hemisphere (Australia, South America) and Northern Hemisphere (Europe, Middle East), allowing for year-round operations.

Fire Prevention Services

Herk offers aerial fire prevention services for high-risk residential areas - a growing area of demand as municipalities seek cost-effective protection from wildfires.

Carbon Credits

Herk can generate and sell carbon credits from its wildfire prevention activities and by assisting other operators, resulting in a new, high-margin revenue source.

Beyond Firefighting: Future Opportunities

HERK is exploring additional revenue streams without increasing operational costs:

  • Intellectual Property & Patent Strategy: Dispersion systems can be adapted to any type of aircraft and any type of dispersion function. Herk intends to sell its systems for use in non-competitive aircraft types.
  • Other Dispersion Revenue: Herk's systems can handle other types of dispersion functions – like oil spill cleanup.
  • Other Types of Aircraft: Once operating at full scale, Herk will explore adding other types and sizes of aircraft to its fleet and/or strategic acquisitions.

Our Team

Herk Global is led by a team of seasoned industry veterans with decades of experience in the aviation industry.

Dan Scanlon

Dan Scanlon

Operations Manager

Dan Scanlon is the founder and Operations Manager of Herk Global. Dan began his career in the aviation industry as an Airline Captain for American Airlines, where he accumulated over 20,000 flight hours. After retiring, Dan went on to own and operate aircraft repair stations, and has handled numerous special projects with sophisticated aircraft for the government and private sector; including over a decade of experience in designing and building aerial firefighters.

Jaime Rigel Boiser

Jaime Rigel Boiser

Aviation Professional

Experienced Aviation Professional with a demonstrated history of working in the airlines/aviation industry, with over a decade in the aerial firefighting sector. Skilled in Line Maintenance, Heavy Maintenance, Aircraft Systems, and Avionics Troubleshooting. Jaime has led maintenance teams for critical firefighting missions across multiple states and has specialized expertise in adapting aircraft for specialized firefighting operations. His comprehensive understanding of both mechanical systems and operational requirements ensures Herk Global's fleet maintains peak performance and safety standards during high-pressure wildfire response situations.

Brig. Gen. John M. Lotz

Brig. Gen. John M. Lotz, USAF (Ret.)

Board Member

Brig. Gen. John M. Lotz, USAF (Ret.), a Harvard MBA graduate, has advised on international aerospace and defense mergers and acquisitions. He brings decades of leadership experience across both government and private sectors. Gen. Lotz currently serves as Senior Aviation Advisor to PTC Maritime, Inc., and has been a Director at Monterey County Bank since 1992, including service as Audit Committee Chair. His past roles include CEO of Monterey Bay Aviation and executive positions at Bay Ridge, Couroc, Inc., and Standex International.

David Weinberg

David Weinberg

Board Member

David Weinberg is the COO of Sketchers, and has served there since its inception in 1992. David is responsible for day-to-day operations – from planning and directing all aspects of the Company's policies, objectives and initiatives, to developing short- and long-term financial and infrastructure strategies to expand Skechers' domestic, international, and e-commerce divisions. Mr. Weinberg was named Chief Operating Officer in 2006. Since 1998, he has served as Executive Vice President and a member of the Company's Board of Directors. He also served as Skechers' Chief Financial Officer from 1993 to 2017.

Edmond DeFrank

Edmond DeFrank, Esq.

Board Member and Interim CEO

Ed is a Registered U.S. Patent Attorney with over 27 years of experience as both a computer engineer and legal expert in the high-tech sector. He has served in operational, executive and legal roles. He has drafted and prosecuted more than 1,000 trademarks and technology patents for leading organizations including Microsoft, HP, Caltech, NASA, JPL, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, and Seagate. Ed has also been at the forefront of developing and patenting innovations related to carbon credits.

Evan Warshawsky

Evan Warshawsky

CFO

Evan is a CPA with 35 years of experience serving as CFO and CEO for both private and public companies. His expertise spans finance, manufacturing, operations, marketing, and media across diverse industries. After taking a nationally recognized product marketing firm public in 2005, he has spent the past two decades helping businesses grow or restructure through financial planning and analysis, operational assessments, and a focus on productivity and efficiency.

George Cardenas

George Cardenas

CTO

As CTO of Herk Global, George Cardenas leads the company's technology strategy, innovation roadmap, and systems architecture. With a deep background in IT infrastructure, aerospace systems, and data-driven operations, George ensures that Herk Global's firefighting aviation platforms are supported by cutting-edge solutions. His leadership bridges the gap between engineering and operations, driving Herk's mission to deliver reliable, technology-forward aerial firefighting capabilities across the globe.

Contact Us

Headquarters

26565 Agoura Rd. Ste 205, Calabasas, CA. 91302

Phone

+1 909-852-5732

Email

info@herkglobal.com

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