EMERGENCY RESPONSE EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS
Brandon S. Lewis
Founder, Oxbow Forest & Land, LLC | Founder, Pangaea World Foundation
Brandon Lewis brings nearly three decades of experience in remote-area operations, heavy-equipment management, environmental restoration, and emergency response. His background combines direct flood-response support, technical river operations, swiftwater rescue training, and international humanitarian and conservation fieldwork.
2013 Colorado Front Range Flood — Emergency Response Support
During the catastrophic September 2013 flooding in Boulder County, Colorado, Lewis assisted rescue teams responding to the widespread flooding, damaged infrastructure, and isolated communities.
His involvement provided firsthand experience supporting emergency operations in challenging flood conditions, where rapidly changing water levels, damaged access routes, and hazardous terrain complicated rescue efforts.
Estes Park Flood Restoration — 13 Projects
Following the 2013 Colorado floods, Lewis and Oxbow undertook 13 flood-restoration projects in the Estes Park region.
These projects involved operating heavy equipment in and around damaged river corridors, including work within deep river channels during seasonal spring runoff.
This experience developed practical expertise in:
Heavy-equipment operations in riverine environments.
Assessing unstable terrain, erosion, and damaged access routes.
Working around moving water and changing river conditions.
Flood-damage restoration and emergency access rehabilitation.
River-channel restoration and management of heavy equipment in challenging environments.
Class V Whitewater Rafting & Swiftwater Rescue
Lewis has a professional background as a Class V whitewater rafting guide, including swiftwater rescue training and practical experience.
This background provides specialized knowledge of river hydraulics, current dynamics, obstacles, eddies, and the hazards associated with moving water.
His combined experience in whitewater navigation and heavy-equipment operation offers an unusual foundation for assessing difficult river crossings, flood-damaged terrain, and emergency access routes.
International Humanitarian & Rescue Support
As founder of Pangaea World Foundation, Lewis has participated in international field operations supporting humanitarian, conservation, and animal welfare initiatives.
His work has included rescue-support activities abroad, logistical coordination, remote-area operations, and collaboration with local organizations and field teams in challenging environments.
These experiences contribute to his ability to operate in unfamiliar terrain, coordinate with diverse teams, and respond to complex logistical challenges.
Specialized Emergency Response Equipment
Lewis operates a Mercedes-Benz Unimog U1550-series high-mobility vehicle equipped for remote access and recovery operations.
Equipment capabilities include:
High-mobility off-road transportation.
24,000-pound recovery winch.
Vehicle recovery and controlled obstacle removal.
Forestry equipment and chainsaws.
Experience with deep-water river crossings.
Remote-area emergency supply delivery.
Evacuation and animal-rescue logistical support.
Aerial reconnaissance through drone deployment.
Additional Oxbow resources include a Kubota KX080-5 excavator and SVL97-3 compact track loader for emergency debris removal, access restoration, and disaster recovery.
Operational Experience & Judgment
Lewis's qualifications extend beyond equipment operation to include extensive firsthand experience working in moving water, flood-damaged landscapes, and remote environments.
His background in Class V whitewater guiding, swiftwater rescue training, flood-response support, and heavy-equipment restoration provides a multidisciplinary foundation for evaluating operational hazards and supporting emergency missions.
Oxbow offers emergency management agencies an experienced operator, specialized high-mobility equipment, and the ability to support operations from initial reconnaissance and access through recovery and infrastructure restoration.