Lighthouse Leadership Mentors

• Tony Bixby, MBA, NRP, CCEMT-P, FP-C

  Director of Prehospital Services and EMS Chief
  Susquehanna Regional EMS

  Tony Bixby is the Director of Prehospital Services and EMS Chief for Susquehanna Regional EMS in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, as a part of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) health system. He is a graduate of the Williamsport Hospital and Medical Center Paramedic Training Institute and has over 25 years of EMS experience working in both the ground EMS and air medical industry.

  He has over 20 years of critical care experience, previously holding the positions of flight program educator and regional manager for Geisinger Life Flight before returning to Williamsport as the Director of Prehospital Services for the UPMC North Central Pennsylvania Region. He has been an adjunct faculty member of the Pennsylvania College of Technology Paramedic Program for the past 23 years, serves on the Board of Directors for the Ambulance Association of Pennsylvania and the American Trauma Society, Pennsylvania Division, and is co-chair of the Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council Critical Care Task Force Protocol Workgroup. Tony is also a graduate of the inaugural Lighthouse Leadership Program Class of 2023.

   

• Kevin Collopy, MHL, FP-C, NRP, CMTE

  Clinical Outcomes & Compliance Manager
  Novant Health Mobile Integrated Health, AirLink/VitaLink 

  

  Kevin Collopy is the clinical outcomes & compliance manager for Novant Health AirLink/VitaLink where he oversees the system's research, education, risk & quality management, outreach, and reimbursement programs. Kevin has been in prehospital medicine for over 2 decades and regularly lectures across the United States. He has taught emergency & wilderness medicine on 4 continents and is an author of over 200 publications including 30 peer-reviewed research abstracts and papers. In addition, Kevin serves on the International Paramedic Registry U.S. advisory board, EMSWorld Editorial Advisory Board, and is chair of the Global Critical Care Transport Higher Education Council. He is a past president and emeritus board member of the International College of Advanced Practice Paramedics. Kevin holds a bachelors degree from Colgate University, a Masters in Healthcare Leadership from Western Governors University, and has a LEAN Healthcare Black Belt certification.

   

• Glenn Deitz, FACPE, MHA, NRP

  Manager
  Atlantic Mobile Health

  

  Glenn began his tenure in pre-hospital services in 2002, volunteering for Hampton Township Volunteer Fire & Rescue (Hampton Twp., NJ) and Grantley Fire Company (York, PA).  In 2006, Glenn began working as an Emergency Medical Technician within Atlantic Ambulance Corporation.  In 2009 he completed the Paramedic Science program at Union County College and subsequently began working with the Mobile Intensive Care Unit at Atlantic Ambulance.  Before becoming the Operations Manager for the Ground Medical Transportation, Revenue Cycle, and Community Outreach divisions of Atlantic Mobile Health (AMH), Glenn was active in many operational roles with progressive administrative and leadership responsibilities including business development and patient experience.  He has served in various leadership roles spanning his nearly 22 years of EMS experience and has proven his skills in EMS leadership and revenue cycle management.  Glenn’s divisions at AMH complete over 82,000 emergent and non-emergent patient transports per year.

  Glenn completed his Master of Healthcare Administration at Centenary University in 2017 and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from York College of Pennsylvania. He is also a Fellow with the American College of Paramedic Executives and has served in various leadership roles with the New Jersey Chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives.  Glenn has a passion for the medical transportation industry and is always looking for opportunity to highlight the importance of these services in the healthcare spectrum.

   

• Aaron Edwards, MS, NRP

  Captain, EMS Division
  Annapolis Fire Department

  

  Experienced Captain with a demonstrated history of working in the public safety industry. Skilled in Hands-on Training, Emergency Management, Disaster Response, Community Partnership Development, and Medical Billing. Strong operations professional with a M.S. Management focused in Public Safety Leadership from Johns Hopkins University School of Education. 

  Versatile and engaging, I inspire multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality EMS services. Over the course of 27 years, I have led effective responses to all hazards in a department with over 13K annual calls. My passion for technology leads me to embrace new tools that improve outcomes for the community.

  Adept in both management and hands-on roles, I champion best practices and promote knowledge sharing at all organizational levels. I am committed to building ethical and inclusive teams.

   

• Sheila Elliott, MS, LP

  EMS Director 
  University Emergency Medical Response Team, University of Texas at Dallas  
  

  

  Sheila Elliott is EMS Director for the First Responder Organization at The University of Texas at Dallas, where she oversees 80 volunteer EMTs who provide 24/7 coverage on the university campus. She started the EMS Education Division in May 2020, where the EMT program certifies over 300 students per year with a first-time pass-rate of 97%.  In August 2021, Sheila began working with hospital administrators from Methodist Health System to form a partnership called the North Texas Paramedic Education Consortium where a year later, an application was approved by CoAEMSP to begin the first Paramedic program in August 2023. She holds a Bachelors in Education and a Masters in Leadership and Management.  After teaching elementary music for 5 years, Sheila became a licensed paramedic in 1997, after one her twin sons was born with a severe heart defect, requiring 5 open heart surgeries. Sheila and her son, Colby, are proud spokespersons for the American Heart Association, speaking all over the country, raising awareness about congenital heart defects.

   

• Rob Farmer, MBA, FACPE

  Partner Manager
  CentralSquare Technologies       

  

  Rob Farmer, MBA, FACPE, has a long career in public safety, spanning more than 35 years. Mr. Farmer currently serves as the 911 Partner Manager for CentralSquare Technologies in Lake Mary, Florida, and has previously served as the Chief Administrative Officer for Harris County ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare, as the Director of Public Safety for Lee County, Florida, as the Director/Chief of Delaware County EMS in Central Ohio, and as a firefighter/paramedic for the Upper Arlington Fire Department in suburban Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Farmer has an MBA from the University of Southern Mississippi, and a Bachelor of Science in Management from Hodges University. He is a Fellow of the American College of Paramedic Executives, as well as serving as a Charter Commissioner.

   

• Magen Hallman, Paramedic

  Deputy Chief of Operations, Paramedic
  Lexington County EMS                

  

  Magen Hallman is a dedicated professional in the field of Emergency Medical Services. Magen pursued her education at Radford University Carilion, where she successfully obtained her associate degree in Emergency Health Sciences-Paramedicine in 2006. Continuing her academic journey, Magen graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Bio-Medical Sciences from Radford University Carilion in 2009. Her strong educational background and commitment to excellence laid a solid foundation for her career in EMS. Magen's career began with Carilion Clinic Patient Transport and Franklin County Public Safety. Her dedication and expertise quickly propelled her through the ranks. In 2013, she relocated to South Carolina, where she assumed the role of a Training Officer. Through hard work and determination, she gradually advanced and currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Operations with Lexington County EMS. Recognizing the value of continuous learning and personal development, Magen returned to school in 2022 to pursue her Master's in Executive Leadership from Liberty University. Magen actively contributes to various organizations and causes. Outside of her professional commitments, Magen cherishes her roles as a wife and mother. She is grateful for the unwavering support of her husband in pursuing her career goals while raising their two daughters. Together, they create an inspiring and nurturing environment for their family. 

   

• David Janese, MD, MS, EMT-LP

  Adjunct Professor & Clinical Manager
  Bossier Parish Community College & Lavaca County EMS

  

  David Janese is the Clinical Manager for Lavaca County EMS and an Adjunct Professor at Bossier Parish Community College. He is a licensed EMT-Paramedic, holds a Masters of Biology, and is a Medical Resident at Louisiana State University in Shreveport, LA. 

   

   

• Jim Jones, BAAS, LP

  Deputy Chief - Operations
  Hardin County ESD #2 / Lumberton Fire & EMS      

  

  Jim Jones is a firefighter and paramedic currently serving as the Deputy Chief of Operations for Lumberton Fire & EMS in Lumberton Texas. He has been involved in EMS and emergency responses for more than 30 years with approximately 15 years of leadership and instructional experience.  Jones is a member of the EMS Committee for the Texas Governor’s EMS and Trauma Advisory Council (GETAC), a NAEMT Education Coordinator, and volunteers for two rural fire departments in Texas.  He holds a bachelor of applied arts and sciences and is currently working toward his Master in Public Administration. 

   

• Ginny R. Kaplan, PhD, MHS, Paramedic, FAEMS

  Department Chair and Assistant Professor 
  Advanced Paramedicine & Health Care Administration, Methodist University

  

  Ginny is the Department Chair and Assistant Professor of Advanced Paramedicine & Health Care Administration at Methodist University. She has been involved in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for over 20 years as both a credentialed Paramedic and Instructor. She has spent nearly 20 years as a Program Director and has been recognized for her contribution to the EMS profession as a Fellow of the Academy of Emergency Medical Services (FAEMS) through the National Association of EMS Physicians. She has won multiple national and international awards, including EMS Educator of the Year and the global EMS10 Award for innovation in the field of EMS.

  Ginny holds an Associate of Applied Science in Sign Language Interpreting from Wilson Community College, a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Medical Care with a concentration in EMS management, a Master of Health Science in EMS education (both from Western Carolina University), and a PhD in Health Science with a concentration in Respiratory Care from Rush University. Ginny is a reviewer for several peer-reviewed journals; serves as Executive Director of the Foundation for Prehospital Medicine Research; and is passionate about research, innovation, and student mentoring. She is also the Vice Chair of the North Carolina Association of EMS Educators and serves her local community as a certified medical examiner. Her specific research interests include defining predictors and profiling trauma- and stress-related disorders in EMS personnel.

• Rob Lawrence, MCMI

  Director of Strategic Implementation
  Pro EMS Cambridge Massachusetts                      

  

  Rob Lawrence has been a leader in civilian and military EMS for 3 decades. He is currently the director of strategic implementation for PRO EMS and its educational arm, Prodigy EMS, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Rob also owns and operates Robert Lawrence Consulting, where his key client is the California Ambulance Association, where he operates as the Executive Director.  He previously served as the chief operating officer of the Richmond Ambulance Authority (Virginia), which won both state and national EMS Agency of the Year awards during his 10-year tenure. During this time Rob also held the appointment of prehospital chair of the Pan American Trauma Society, working with EMS systems in Central and South America. Additionally, he served as COO for Paramedics Plus in Alameda County, California.

  Prior to emigrating to the U.S. in 2008, Rob served as the COO for the East of England Ambulance Service in Suffolk County, England, and as the executive director of operations and service development for East Anglian Ambulance NHS Trust.  Rob’s first career was as an Army Officer, and he is a graduate of the UK's Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and served worldwide in a 20-year military career encompassing many prehospital and evacuation leadership roles. In the Emergency Management arena, Rob was the first Ambulance officer in the UK to be appointed as chair of a county Strategic Coordination Group (SCG), the body that governs the coordination of emergency disaster response and operated in a joint leadership role for many operations and events including acting as GOLD commander for his ambulance services response to the 7/7 London bombings.  

  In the US, Rob led the ESF8 function for the City of Richmond EOC as well as acting as Unified Commander for many events, including Presidential visits, weather events and world and national sporting championships. Rob is the current Chair of the American Ambulance Association, State Association Forum, a board member of the Academy of International Mobile Healthcare Integration (AIMHI), as well as a advisory board member of the International Public Safety Association. He writes and podcasts at EMS1 and Police1 and is a member of the EMS1 and EMS World Magazine Editorial Advisory Boards, Connect with him on Twitter @ukrobl1. In his spare time, Rob is an avid hiker and hill walker, and has published over 160 recorded and narrated hikes on his YouTube Hiker Vlog Channel (UKROBL Hikes and Walks). If he ever wins the lottery, he will immediately take the first 6 months to walk the Pacific Crest Trail!

   

• Kyle Levesque

   

   

• Josh Pelonio, BS

  Director
  Skagit County EMS

  Josh Pelonio is the Director for Skagit County EMS in Mount Vernon, Washington where he oversees a primarily fire-based county-wide EMS system. Prior to his current role, he spent more than 10 years in private sector EMS where he held progressive positions, including: EMT, Field Training Officer, Field Supervisor, and Operations Manager. He is the current NAEMT Membership Coordinator for Washington State and has served on various local and state EMS committees and workgroups including: the Skagit County Population Health Trust, the Skagit County Opioid Workgroup Leadership Team, the Skagit County EMS and Trauma Care Council Advisory Board, the North Region EMS and Trauma Care Council, and the Washington State Prehospital Technical Advisory Committee. Josh completed the Ambulance Service Manager program in 2014, obtained the Managing Paramedic Officer credential through the American College of Paramedic Executives in 2018, and obtained a bachelor’s degree in EMS Administration through Columbia Southern University in 2020. 

   

• John C. Phelps II DBA, DS, ACHE, NRP

  Assistant Professor
  Our Lady of the Lake University

  

  John Phelps is a Veteran of the U.S. Army and has over 22 years of experience in the Healthcare industry as a provider, educator, and leader. He has a broad background in healthcare with specific training and expertise in the emergency medical services and healthcare administration industry. In 1999, Dr. Phelps began working in the EMS industry in Odessa, TX. He serves as an Assistant Professor at Our Lady of The Lake University, President of Phelps Healthcare Education and Consulting, and part-time paramedic at Kendall County EMS. 

  John Phelps completed his Doctorate in Business Administration specializing in Healthcare Administration at Walden University, a master’s in business at Wayland Baptist University, and an undergraduate degree in Emergency Medicine at Wayland Baptist University. Dr. Phelps completed a Post-Doctoral Program in Data Science and Business Analytics at the University of Texas at Austin. He is a National Registry Paramedic, Data Scientist, and Healthcare Administrator. He serves on the RECERT Advisory Board, OBLS Steering Committee, and American College of Healthcare Executives. Furthermore, he mentors youth with the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program of South Texas.

   

• Matthew Philbrick, FACPE

  Manager
  GMR Life

  Matt Philbrick is passionate about Emergency Medical Services. He has served the EMS industry for almost 20 years, working in many roles: EMT, paramedic, flight paramedic, and Operations Manager. Additionally, Matt has worked in both rural and urban environments. He has a demonstrated history of success working in the EMS industry and being an EMS leader. Currently, Matt is the Manager for GMR Life providing crisis support, CISM resources, education, and outreach for the nation's largest EMS Provider - Global Medical Response.
  

  Matt is active in Oregon healthcare. He sits as Chair of the Oregon EMS for Children Committee and is a former voting member of the Oregon State Trauma Advisory Board. He is an accomplished public speaker having been featured at EMS Today and the Virginia State EMS Symposium (among others). In 2020, Matt was named as one of the "Top 40 under 40" EMS Leaders by the American Ambulance Association. Matt holds a Master of Science in Management and Leadership and is working on his second Masters, an MBA.

   

• Robert Rautio

   

   

• Casey Smith

  Charge Paramedic

  Casey Smith began his public safety career as a volunteer firefighter/EMT in the suburbs of Omaha, Nebraska.  With more than 20 years of experience as a paramedic, he has worked as a paramedic in an urban Level 1 academic trauma center emergency department, as a firefighter/paramedic, and as a rural hospital-based paramedic.  He has also been a clinical preceptor and Field Training Officer.  He is currently a Charge Paramedic with a high volume county-based EMS system in west central Florida.  Casey holds Associate of Applied Science degrees in Paramedicine and Fire Science Technology, a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Public Safety Administration, and is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in Paramedicine.  In September 2023, he graduated in the inaugural class of the NAEMT Lighthouse Leadership Program.  With more than 10 years experience as an EMS instructor, Casey is also currently an adjunct instructor at a local state college.  A strong patient advocate, Casey has professional interests in ethics in EMS, end of life care, and provider mental health.