President Elect—1 Candidate

Aarron Reinert

Executive Director
Lakes Region EMS

Candidate Statement

Friends!
I am excited to share with you my intent and hope to be your President-elect for our association.
Many of you have taken time to share with me your thoughts about our association and what is required and expect of such an important position as President-elect. You have been candid with me about the hard work that will be required and the expected time commitments. You were also honest with me about the need to ensure the AAA is a priority, through my actions and as well as my words. Your honesty and frankness is exactly why I desire the chance to help lead our organization. My hope is to help lead our organization through these turbulent waters of supplier to provider, payment reform, ensuring member’s services are long-term sustainable, and cultivating a Board culture of trust, accountability, vision, and passionate disagreement that strengthens us, not pulls us apart.

I am reminded of a quote from Margret Wheatley, one of the emerging leadership writers, “leaders do not deny that there is darkness, they simply choose not to live in it.” I look around our association and see leaders who have chosen to rise about the darkness of the daily challenges and inequity of non-governmental ambulance service and our reimbursement system. All of you are leading our nation’s EMS system to an environment of sustainable payments, equity, and equal standing with our governmental partners. How could I not want to be part of such an incredible team.

Thank you! I look forward to the chance to earn your vote and the position of President-elect.

Treasurer—2 Candidates

Shawn Baird, MA, Paramedic

Co-Owner
Woodburn Ambulance Service, Inc.

Candidate Statement

Successfully guiding our companies through the massive transformation taking place in healthcare is an unprecedented challenge for ambulance service owners and executives. As an owner of a small, independent, 911 and non-emergent ambulance service for the past 21 years I know how critical our American Ambulance Association is to the industry. Reliable up to the minute reimbursement information, outstanding advocacy in Congress, and first class educational and member services all contribute to our companies’ success in providing excellent patient care while maintain the bottom line.

Experienced and innovative leadership is essential for the AAA to continue moving our industry ahead in the new healthcare environment. Leadership that is acutely aware of the need to balance progressive payment reform for tomorrow, with maintaining essential revenue to make payroll today.

My goal as your Treasurer is to assure the financial health of the AAA, while actively engaging on the essential priorities of payment reform and adequate reimbursement for providers. I look forward to serving and applying my experience as a AAA leader, independent ambulance company owner, and industry advocate to the membership of the American Ambulance Association.

Douglas “Doug” Hooten

Executive Director
MedStar Mobile Healthcare

Candidate Statement

America’s healthcare system is transforming at a frenetic pace! Healthcare finance reform is creating a new environment for all types of providers, including ambulance providers. Our customer’s expectations are also changing, with the desire to shift from volume-to-value based economic models. As an appointed member of NEMSAC, and an active member of the Payment Reform Committee, I have gained the unique insight to navigate our industry through the murky financial waters ahead.

From a real-world, practical perspective, I have had the experience of working diligently with numerous external partners to demonstrate and deliver value, and get paid based on the value we bring. At MedStar, we are testing several new payment models, with more to be tested in the near future.

As your Treasurer, one of my goals will be to use this experience to prepare the Association, and its members, to take full advantage of the significant opportunities to test new economic models for our industry.

Working with local and national officials, I too often hear their frustrations about the complexity of the financial models of our industry. We must help our membership enhance their financial acumen and economic agility to try new payment models based on the value we can demonstrate to payers.

Finally, we often hear from our external partners that the ambulance industry has very fragmented messages within the DC beltway and with large national payers. One of my goals will be to work with other national associations help bring external message clarity to the profession.

Secretary—1 Candidate

Randy Strozyk

Senior Vice President – Operations
American Medical Response

Candidate Statement

Serving as Secretary of the American Ambulance Association the past two years has been a great personal honor and exciting career challenge. I’d like to continue representing you and ask for your vote.

During my career, I’ve been fortunate to work in and study all types and sizes of ambulance services. Though I’ve spent the past 16 years with AMR, I started my career at a small service and distinctly remember the unique pressures we encountered. I’ve considered the concerns and perspectives of providers large and small during my tenure as AAA secretary – and commit to continue being open and accessible moving forward.

In today’s world, EMS providers face a number of serious threats and game-changing opportunities, but we are challenged at times to speak with a clear, unified voice. I have the experience and tenacity to help strengthen our voice and achieve results.

It would be an honor to continue working for you. Please consider supporting me as I seek another term as Secretary of the American Ambulance Association.

Region I Director—2 Candidates

Alfred “Fred” Della Valle

Vice President Government Relations East Region
American Medical Response

Candidate Statement

As we continue our journey in achieving our goals, I am seeking re-election to the Board of Directors to ensure we continue to focus on the delivery of high quality pre hospital healthcare to the citizens we all serve each and every day.
I continue to advocate for all ambulance providers large and small, urban and rural while continuing to maintain key Congressional relationships in both Houses of Congress. We have made tremendous strides internally within the AAA, while continuing our advocacy efforts, especially, elimination of below cost Medicare reimbursements.
Having served as a host, I have accompanied many of our Stars of Life in meetings with their members of Congress in D.C., guiding them in telling their stories as to why they were selected for such a prestigious award. What an honor!
In 2014 AAA President Jimmy Johnson presented me with the AAA President’s Award for my outstanding commitment and years of service. I continue my professional relationships with members of Congress in order to ensure they remain educated, supportive and aware of the vital role ambulance providers continue to play nationwide.
In an ever-changing healthcare environment and upcoming elections, we need to ensure we remain focused, while maintaining visibility with our Congressional Leaders.
As it would be my honor to continue to serve as your representative on the Board of Directors, I ask again for your support, while thanking you for your past confidence.
As always please do not hesitate to contact me for any insight or assistance.

Ronald Quaranto

Chief Operating Officer
Cataldo Ambulance Service

Candidate Statement

I feel that my extensive EMS experience coupled with my current role as Chief Operating Officer for Cataldo Ambulance Service, Inc. makes me the ideal candidate for the Region I Board position. For over ten years I have participated in regional counsels which include, the President of the Board of Directors for the Metropolitan Boston EMS Counsel, and I have participated and chaired several regional committees. In addition, I currently hold the position of Vice President for the Massachusetts Ambulance Association. My operational ability, passion for EMS, and dedication to quality patient care will add tremendous value to the board of the American Ambulance Association.

Region II Director—3 Candidates

Russell Honeycutt

Executive Director of Government Affairs
Central EMS

Candidate Statement

I believe that the collaborative effort of a Nationally based association (AAA) is the best hope for delivering reform to all areas of EMS. We have begun in the past two years a project involving cost studies that can transform the reimbursement challenges all EMS Services face and establish a reimbursement system that truly compensates us at a level that allows us to render excellent patient care without taxing the communities that we operate in. My passion is to see this project to completion in order that honest suppliers of EMS are compensated fairly and the bad actors in our industry are no longer allowed to cast aspersion on the hardworking men and women in our industry. Change is coming and we need to be proactive in formulating policy and not have policy dictated to us which results in more costly regulation.

Terence Ramotar

Regional Director
American Medical Response>

Candidate Statement

Faced with declining reimbursement, increasing operational costs, regulatory changes and a changing workforce, ambulance services face pressures that may seem insurmountable. However, value and quality cannot be negotiated. Our industry has a moral mandate to serve our communities with excellence, and in the best interest of the public’s health and well-being.
For over 20 years, I’ve served in several leadership positions for various types of EMS organizations both large and small. Whether a non-profit ambulance squad in a small town or a large system in a major metropolitan area, I’ve experienced firsthand how these pressures impact the services we deliver. The next few years are critical to our sustainability.

I have previously served on the Board of Directors and various committees for the American Ambulance Association. I bring a deep commitment to integrity and a core belief in servant leadership. I also understand that it’s time for my generation to “step up” and become actively involved. With your support, I look forward to providing the leadership necessary to help bring our AAA membership together, advocate on the region’s behalf and champion efforts that provide value to our services.
I wholeheartedly ask for your support in doing so.

Larry Wiersch

Chief Executive Officer
Cetronia Ambulance Corps., Inc.

Candidate Statement

I am exceptionally proud of my service to EMS and our AAA Board as a Region II Alternate Director. In these most difficult times of constant change and new healthcare dynamics, I will continue to work hard for our association members to ensure that whatever we do for our industry serves our patients and our dedicated professionals with the very best. We need leadership that understands the need to change, challenges the “status quo” on issues that affect our members, and provides thoughtful ideas that evaluates how it affects all members from a global perspective. Our members, our patients and our communities deserve national leadership that incorporates meaningful processes that supports healthy debate that achieves outcomes with the best possible results.
I believe that my past involvement with the AAA on multiple committees including government affairs, professional standards, federal reimbursement and numerous other special work groups gives me insight into methods that work. While we must not dwell in the past, we must learn from it while moving forward into the future. I promise, that I will do my very best to represent our region, our association, our employees and most importantly our life saving mission. I will always promote quality EMS that represents all provider types, support good governance and embrace healthy change that saves more lives and allows us to deliver on our promise of service to our community.

Region III Director—4 Candidates

Barbara Bachman

Chief Financial Officer
Emergent Health Partners / Huron Valley Ambulance

Candidate Statement

I am running for the position of Region 3 Director of the AAA and I am asking for your support and your vote. I am Chief Financial Officer of a medium-sized Michigan ambulance service – a position which I have held for 11 years. I also serve as a member of AAA’s Medicare Regulatory Committee.

I would like your support so that I can help make sure that all independent ambulance operators have a strong voice in Association matters and federal policies – especially Medicare and Medicaid. I am also interested in making sure that the AAA provides strong representation for all of us, and that it is done fairly for all services in Region 3 and across the country. Finally, AAA can’t be an advocate if it does not stay strong financially. That means watching our expenses carefully and keeping dues at a reasonable level which we can all afford.

Thank you for considering my candidacy and I look forward to serving and representing your interests on the AAA Board as a Region 3 Director. Please call or email me if you have questions about any matter that you feel I can help with.

Kim Godden

Vice President, Legal and Corporate Compliance
Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service, Inc.

Candidate Statement

I am currently concluding my fourth year representing Region III on the American Ambulance Association Board of Directors. I am running for re-election to continue to represent Region III for an additional term. I would like to continue to work closely with fellow board members, AAA staff and contractors and our members to continue to advance Industry initiatives and address the concerns our members are facing. I work closely within the states our company operates in (Illinois, Michigan and Indiana) to advance industry initiatives and concerns. I enjoy being able to bring my legal background, education and experience working in and with the government to the ambulance industry. Being able to work with state, local, and federal government is an integral component of our industry’s success. Region III includes both urban and rural areas and ambulance companies of different sizes, types and disciplines; as a Board Member I make sure that all issues are discussed and decisions are made with all members in mind. I intend to continue to work within Region III to coordinate effort and ideas on a regional level.

Michael Pieroni

Director of Operations
Medical Express Ambulance

Candidate Statement

I have been involved in Illinois EMS since 1987, as a caregiver, a manager and a business owner. My background includes ambulance operations, billing and collections, loss control, human resources, payroll and benefits administration, business development and government relations. I served as the President of the Illinois State Ambulance Association from 2003 until 2013, and remain on the ISAA Board today.

I am keenly aware of the challenges faced by ambulance providers. Having “grown up” in the Chicago private ambulance market, I am no stranger to competition. I take great pride, however, in being a supportive, understanding and sincere representative for our profession as a whole. I feel my specific experiences as a former EMT, ambulance service owner and ISAA Board President have uniquely prepared me for the challenges ahead. In addition, I have attended several AAA reimbursement task force meetings, and feel that it would be my honor to contribute to that work.

Julie Rose

CEO/Executive Director
Community Care Ambulance

Candidate Statement

I am requesting your support to continue to serve Region 3 AAA members as your Board representative. I believe I am uniquely positioned to understand your needs as a fellow provider and serving my organization as the Chief executive; appreciating the holistic challenges that face our provider group in today’s current landscape.

I have over 15 years of experience in leading and serving on AAA committees as well as Board positions.

My activity at the state level as Past President of the OAMTA as well as a Board member of the governor appointed Ohio State Emergency, Fire and Medical Transportation Board has further enlightened me about service regulatory issues at the state level as well as reimbursement challenges in dealing with Medicaid.

I would appreciate the opportunity to serve you for another term as Region 3 Board member.

Thank you, Julie Rose

Region IV Director—3 Candidates

Daniel Gillespie

Vice President
Allegiance Ambulance

Candidate Statement

I have been honored to see the AAA members for the past two years and hope for the opportunity to continue to serve our industry within this association. I value the knowledge and experience I have gained in working with such a highly motivated and effective group of professionals as we drive our professional in to the future.

Angela Lehman

Chief Revenue Officer
Emergency Medical Services Authority

Candidate Statement

I would like to represent Region 4 as a Board of Director for the American Ambulance Association because of the passion I have for this industry, and my knowledge of the payors and regulatory issues and concerns in our region. I have been fortunate to work in many areas of the healthcare sector, and personally, there is no other sector comparable to the ambulance industry. I have had many personal and professional conversations about how I cannot imagine working in a different realm of healthcare again because of the people involved in the industry — from owners, to non-profits to for-profits, and to government entities. Because of this diverse group of individuals, it makes this industry a challenge, and it is even more reason we must work together to advocate for higher reimbursement and better recognition as a healthcare entity. I have been committed to this advocacy for the last six years as evidenced by my roles on the Medicare Regulatory, Professional Standards, and Government Affairs, Education and Payment Reform Committees. I believe I can be a strategic and effective leader for our industry. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Information Management, and currently obtained my Masters of Art in Health and Human Services. I look forward to having the opportunity to serve as one of the Region 4, American Ambulance Association Board of Directors.

David Tetrault

Administrator/ CEO
St. Francois County Ambulance District

Candidate Statement

My candidate statement for re-election to the Board of Directors Region 4 Seat, I’m asking for your vote to continue our work with bringing EMS forward, continue to fight for small rural services and large services let me be your voice on Capitol Hill in Washington.

I have been dedicated to EMS for over 27 years committed to EMS issues, ability to attend meetings, time to commit to the position of Director for AAA region 4. I will follow through answer concerns with the region and other regions that need our help and expertise. My Board is and have been very willing to support me financially to travel with AAA and administrative support for all activities supporting EMS beyond the borders of my Small Rural Community Ambulance District.

As past president of the Missouri Emergency Medical Services Association and other positions I have been responsible for assisting and participating in planning, preparation, and execution of our annual meetings and training activities. I have also been instrumental in internal audits and the recommendation and implementation of financial procedures for MEMSA. I was a principal player in starting EMS day at the State Capital over 10 years ago and am still actively involved in legislative activities and initiatives.

Region V Director—3 Candidates

Chris Archuleta

CEO
Superior Ambulance Service, Inc.

Candidate Statement

During the past 3 elections I’ve been elected as your alternate for the Board of Directors for Region 5. As your alternate on the AAA’s Board of Directors I’ve been able to watch, listen, and learn of all that a Board member does. I have learned a lot in the past 3 years and have gladly invested time and energy to serve the members of Region 5 and all the AAA members. Until becoming an active participant with the AAA at the Board level, I never fully understood the complexities of the national issues affecting our industry. As a rural and urban medium size provider, I’ve realized how important it is for us in the industry to stay active and voice our concerns with the continuous legislation before Congress and CMS, as their decisions affect our industry, and us at home just trying to run a business. National political issues versus local issues involving us as providers are two huge and different areas that need representation. This is important as each has a different level of importance for our own businesses.

Now that I have the knowledge base of being a AAA Board member, I want to continue to represent those of you in Region 5. As your alternate, I have worked with other Members of our Board and Association on these important issues and I’d like to continue to work for you. What I will bring if you elect me is that I will be a communicator with the members of Region 5. I need to hear from you what is affecting you in the industry so that I can voice your thoughts at the board level, and able to bring your voice to the table. Whether it is in email or just a quick call to our Region 5 members, I will work at following up with you to get your thoughts and feedback, and enhance your communication between you, the AAA, and the AAA Board.

As your Director, I will continue to work to assure our Association represents the needs of all our Members. We need to ensure that all our members are represented from the smallest provider to the largest. We need to ensure that we as small and medium providers, who will get hit the hardest when bad legislation is passed by Congress or by CMS, that our voices are heard. .We need to continue to pursue fair reimbursement for the service that we provide, and we need to make sure that fair legislation is passed that affects us with our businesses at home. We need to accomplish this by having an engaged Director in the process, and one that knows and lives with our concerns. I ask that you again consider me to represent you, and hope that you will give me the opportunity to serve you as Region 5 Director on the AAA Board.

JD Fuiten

Owner/President
Metro West Ambulance

Candidate Statement

My experience in urban and rural pre-hospital healthcare has given me a unique perspective of how our service is provided to a variety of communities. The “voice” of the American Ambulance Association and its’ members is comprised of hundreds of ambulance providers much like you and me. In my previous roles with the AAA as Secretary and Region V Director, I have made sure that each of you were heard before congress and other legislative bodies and I hope to have that opportunity again. As an independent provider, I have worked closely with the AAA and its’ membership to promote our industry’s issues to elected officials. As federal reimbursement has not kept pace with the sophistication of the delivery of emergency medicine in the field, members of the AAA have become more organized to lobby our elected officials and I look forward to again leading this effort. EMS is going through dramatic change and the organization I lead has in many ways successfully navigated these dynamic times. As the Region V Director I’d like to work with the AAA to motivate federal and private reimbursement mechanisms in the direction of paying providers who work with their healthcare partners to provide EMS in less costly and innovative ways. Ultimately, these providers are saving money for their patients, the government, and EMS partners. I look forward to the opportunity to serve the members of the AAA once again and am energized to engage our elected officials in meaningful conversations of how EMS is transitioning to meet the needs of the communities we are privileged to serve.

Paul Pedersen

Managing Partner
Arizona Ambulance Transport

Candidate Statement

I am a supporter of AAA. The AAA’s work in advocating for members helps to create an environment in which we members can provide the professional services our patients deserve. The AAA offers an excellent array of services to members which need to be promoted more.

Paul Pedersen is a graduate of the University of Arizona and holds a masters degree from St. Mary’s College of California. Pedersen is a 20 year veteran of the Pima County Sheriff’s Department in Tucson, retiring as a lieutenant. He retired as a lieutenant colonel from the U.S. Army Reserve. Pedersen has worked in the private sector managing the installation of public safety radio communications systems. He was the director of Clackamas County Oregon Communications Department and was general manager of Southern Arizona for the Rural/Metro Corporation. He has held board positions with the Red Cross in Tucson, Minneapolis and Portland, Oregon. He has also served as an instructor for numerous law enforcement training courses as well as the Federal Emergency Management Agency.