Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Tim Sheehy

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 3, 2026

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Tim Sheehy made an impact.

Tim Sheehy is an American politician and businessman currently serving as the junior United States Senator from Montana since 2025. As a member of the Republican Party, he is the youngest Republican U.S. Senator. Before entering politics, Sheehy was a Navy SEAL officer, aerial firefighter, and cattle rancher, showcasing his diverse background in both military service and entrepreneurial ventures.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2008: Naval Academy Graduation

In 2008, Timothy Sheehy graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and was commissioned as a naval officer.

2014: Founded Bridger Aerospace

In 2014, Timothy Sheehy founded Bridger Aerospace, an aerial firefighting and wildfire management company.

2014: Left Active Duty

In 2014, Timothy Sheehy left active duty in the Navy.

2015: Spun off Ascent Vision Technologies (AVT)

In 2015, Timothy Sheehy spun off a portion of Bridger Aerospace to form Ascent Vision Technologies (AVT), which develops aerial surveillance and imaging systems.

2019: AVT Technology Used to Shoot Down Iranian Drone

In 2019, Ascent Vision Technologies' (AVT) technology was used to shoot down an Iranian drone.

2019: Discharged from Navy IRR

In 2019, Timothy Sheehy was discharged from the Navy Individual Ready Reserve (IRR).

2020: AVT Acquired by CACI International

In 2020, Ascent Vision Technologies (AVT) was acquired by CACI International for $350 million, netting Timothy Sheehy $75 million.

2020: Co-founded Little Belt Cattle Company

In 2020, Timothy Sheehy co-founded the Little Belt Cattle Company with Greg Putnam, a working cattle ranch.

2021: Received Conservation Award

In 2021, Timothy Sheehy received the Montana Land Reliance's Conservation Award for his work to ensure the ranch remains scenic and open space.

June 2023: Announced Senate Run

In June 2023, Timothy Sheehy announced he would run as a Republican against Jon Tester in the 2024 United States Senate election in Montana.

2023: Published Memoir "Mudslingers: A True Story of Aerial Firefighting"

In 2023, Timothy Sheehy published his memoir, "Mudslingers: A True Story of Aerial Firefighting". The Daily Montanan later accused him of plagiarism and noted the memoir wasn't vetted by the U.S. Department of Defense Prepublication and Security Review (DOPSR).

2024: Defeated Jon Tester

In 2024, Timothy Sheehy defeated three-term Democratic incumbent senator Jon Tester.

2024: Senate Election

In 2024, Timothy Sheehy ran as a Republican against Jon Tester in the United States Senate election in Montana.

2024: Resigned as Bridger's CEO

In 2024, Timothy Sheehy resigned as CEO of Bridger Aerospace to focus on his Senate campaign. The company was facing financial difficulties, losing $77.4 million in 2023 and $20.1 million in the first four months of 2024.

March 18, 2025: Appointed to Naval Academy's Board of Visitors

On March 18, 2025, President Donald Trump announced that Timothy Sheehy would be appointed to serve on the United States Naval Academy's Board of Visitors, concurrent with his service in the Senate.

April 2025: Introduced Fix Our Forests Act

In April 2025, Timothy Sheehy, alongside Senators John Hickenlooper, John Curtis, and Alex Padilla, introduced the Fix Our Forests Act to improve forest management for wildfire risk reduction.

June 12, 2025: Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act Signed into Law

On June 12, 2025, President Trump signed Timothy Sheehy's bill S.160, the "Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025", into law. This act allows private companies to buy former military planes and parts for wildfire response purposes.