Director
New London Hospital Ambulance Service

As a lifelong paramedic and EMS leader, I believe that the future of our profession depends on collaboration, innovation, and a clear, unified voice. I’m running for AAA Region 1 Director because I am committed to advancing meaningful policy, sustainable funding, and workforce development at the national level.

In my current role leading a rural hospital-based ambulance service and as President of the New Hampshire Ambulance Association, I’ve seen firsthand how diverse our systems are, and how essential it is that every EMS provider, regardless of service model or geography, feels represented and engaged in our collective future. One of my priorities has been to bridge those divides by fostering open communication, building coalitions, and encouraging participation from every corner of the profession.

I believe the American Ambulance Association must continue to lead these efforts nationally, to not only advocate for reimbursement and workforce solutions, but to actively bring all EMS professionals to the table. Whether you’re private, municipal, hospital-based, volunteer, or fire-based, your voice matters. Together, we can strengthen EMS as a recognized, respected, and integrated part of healthcare.

I would be honored to bring Region 1’s voice to that mission.

History of Career in EMS

I have been actively involved with the American Ambulance Association (AAA) for over a decade, serving on the Bylaws, Ethics, and Professional Standards Committees. From 2016 to 2021, I served as President-Elect, President, and Immediate Past President of the Florida Ambulance Association before relocating to North Carolina.

I have held executive leadership positions in three of the nation’s largest 911 EMS systems (Sunstar, EMSA, and MEDIC) and bring extensive operational and administrative expertise to the table. As a licensed paramedic in both Florida and North Carolina, I also have years of field experience, which continues to inform my leadership approach. I believe my experience, both at the state association level and in leading high-performance EMS systems, has prepared me well to serve as Regional Director for the AAA.

I began my EMS career in 2000 as an EMT with Superior Ambulance in Chicago, advancing to Paramedic in 2002. In 2003, my wife and I relocated to Florida, where I joined Sunstar Paramedics. Over the next several years, I advanced through multiple leadership roles, ultimately serving as Director of Operations in 2010.

In 2012, I accepted a promotion to Chief Operating Officer at EMSA in Oklahoma. After two years, I returned to Sunstar as Chief Administrative Officer before being promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2015. In 2021, I was honored to accept the position of Executive Director at MEDIC in Charlotte, North Carolina.

I hold an MBA in Healthcare Management from the University of Texas at Tyler, graduating in the top 10% of my class and earning induction into the Beta Gamma Sigma International Honor Society.

Throughout my career, I have led three of the nation’s largest EMS systems, all of which are CAAS and ACE accredited, with Sunstar also earning CAMTS accreditation. Under my leadership, Sunstar received multiple AMBY Awards (2015, 2017, 2018, 2019) and numerous state-level honors. MEDIC also received 2 AIMHI awards in 2024.

As a candidate for the Regional Director seat of the American Ambulance Association, I bring over 30 years of service and leadership in EMS, spanning private, government, volunteer, nonprofit, and for-profit organizations. Throughout my career, I have navigated the evolving challenges of our profession, ensuring financial sustainability, adapting to regulatory changes, and maintaining excellence in patient care.

I advanced our profession’s dialogue by actively bringing our profession’s challenges to the public. I have published articles in trade journals and presented at regional and national conferences, including the AAA Annual Conference.

Today, our profession stands at a crossroads, facing workforce shortages, escalating operational costs, and the urgent need for strong advocacy at the federal and state levels. I believe our success depends on innovation, strategic advocacy, and elevating the professional standing of EMS.

I am an accomplished Fire and EMS leader with three decades of experience across nearly every service model. Known for setting high standards and driving organizational excellence, I bring a proven record of compliance, performance improvement, and strategic leadership.

I see myself as a champion of EMS, consistently challenging peers and colleagues to elevate their professionalism and master their craft. My leadership philosophy is grounded in thoroughness, accountability, and the belief that strong EMS systems strengthen entire communities.

I have dedicated my entire adult life to Emergency Medical Services. My journey began in 1999 as a volunteer firefighter, followed by earning my EMT certification in 2001 and Paramedic certification from Central Washington University in 2003. Today, I serve as Director of Ballard Ambulance in Wenatchee, Washington, where I remain actively engaged in daily operations while leading at the organizational level.

I am currently serving my third term as President of the Washington Ambulance Association. During this time, we have achieved significant legislative victories, including progress on balanced billing protections, Medicaid reform, and strengthening our advocacy efforts at the state level. Nationally, I recently served as Vice Chair of the State Leaders Committee for the American Ambulance Association, where I worked to bring state and federal perspectives together to advance EMS priorities.

I believe leadership in EMS requires more than policy knowledge—it demands firsthand experience. Staying connected to “boots on the ground” operations ensures that the voice I bring forward represents both frontline providers and organizational leaders.

As Region 5 Director, I will continue building bridges between the field, state associations, and national policymakers. I am committed to strengthening our industry, expanding advocacy, and securing the future of EMS for those we serve and those who dedicate their lives to this profession.

Started as a Volunteer Firefighter right out of high school (1999), became an EMT-Basic in 2001, and Paramedic in 2003. Specialized training and operational experience in Mountain Rescue, Helicopter Hoist and Short haul Operations. Spent 7 years as a fully commissioned Reserve Deputy, 6 years as an Entry Operator and Combat Medic on Regional SWAT team. 3 Term President of WA Ambulance Association
Vice Chair State Leaders Committee AAA
Local and Regional Councils Member
Vice Chair of Central WA University Advisory Board

My career in emergency medical services has been defined by leadership, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to advancing our profession. With experience that spans bedside care, clinical education, program administration, and national leadership, I have developed a comprehensive understanding of EMS at every level. I have first-hand insight into patient needs and operational challenges that continue to ground my work in compassion and practical expertise. I am passionate about developing curricula, recruiting and retaining staff, and ensuring rigorous preparation of EMS professionals for exceptional service.

I have had the privilege of leading large, complex organizations, overseeing hundreds of training programs and instructors nationwide, and introducing innovative faculty development systems. My work with accrediting agencies and external partners has strengthened my dedication to building robust, sustainable EMS infrastructures. I strive to unite diverse stakeholders and create supportive environments that prioritize quality, safety, and professional growth.

We are entering a particularly challenging time in EMS with dramatically changing healthcare reimbursement, changes in EMS representation at the federal level, exciting new innovation in EMS and renewed challenges in provider recruitment and retention. My unique experience provides me with relationships and tools to promote effective change.
Paired with my extensive experience in the day-to-day realities of EMS care delivery, I could help to ensure we are consistently supporting operational skill to drive progress amid changing demands. I will work tirelessly in Region V to ensure the voices of providers, educators, and patients are heard, and to uphold the highest standards in emergency medical services.

A strong ethical foundation is paramount for any organization’ success. As our profession continues to mature and evolve, the complexity of our environment will certainly challenge what we do and how we do it. Having strong leadership influence from the AAA, assuring that we continue to do the right things for the right reasons will help assure success. Having integrity and a strong ethical awareness are characteristics that I am proud of and continue to hone with purpose.

The Ethics Committee is an essential part of any respected healthcare organization. Hopefully, the Ethics Committee is not called upon often or at all, but if there is a concern voiced by a member or organization, a vehicle and process must be in place to review such matters. I have had ethics training from my church and experience in dealing with legal matters where behavior and fairness must be considered. In the spirit of volunteerism, I offer to give my time to serve on the Ethics Committee of the American Ambulance Association.

Global Medical Response

My desire to serve on the Ethics Committee stems from a deep-seated belief in the foundational importance of ethics within the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) profession. For me, it’s not merely a set of rules, but the very DNA of our service – the bedrock upon which public trust, professional excellence, and compassionate care are built.
With a career spanning since 1997, I have had the privilege to witness and contribute to EMS from numerous vantage points, evolving from a hands-on patient care provider as a Wheelchair Technician all the way to a strategic leader as a National Director. This extensive journey has provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the diverse challenges and critical responsibilities inherent in our field, from individual patient interactions to large-scale organizational policy. It has solidified my conviction that as first-line healthcare professionals, we, as EMS providers, must hold ourselves to the absolute highest standards.

American Ambulance of Visalia

I am honored to express my interest in serving on the Ethics Committee of the American Ambulance Association. Having previously served on various committees, including the Ethics Committee and on the Board of Directors for Region V, I understand the critical role the ethics committee plays in shaping the trust, credibility, and professional standards of our industry.

Serving on the Ethics Committee offers a unique opportunity to uphold and advance the Association’s core values of integrity, fairness, and accountability. I am committed to promoting ethical conduct across all levels of our Association and ensuring that our members are supported by a principled and transparent framework.

With your support, I will continue working with the Association to foster a culture of ethical excellence and mutual respect, reinforcing the trust that supports our shared mission and strengthening the standards that guide our profession.

Allina Health EMS

As Director of Risk and the Office of the Medical Director, I’ve seen firsthand how ethical decision-making directly impacts patient care, provider safety, and public trust. I’m seeking to join the ethics committee because I believe that upholding strong ethical standards is essential in a field where decisions are often made under pressure, and with limited information.

My background in risk management gives me a unique lens to identify potential ethical blind spots and help develop proactive strategies that support both compliance and compassion. I’m particularly interested in contributing to discussions around equitable access to care, provider conduct, service financial challenges, and the ethical use of emerging technologies in EMS.

Serving on the ethics committee would allow me to collaborate with colleagues who share a commitment to integrity and accountability, and to help shape policies that reflect our shared values and responsibilities to the communities we serve.