Meet Our Veterans
We recognize that veterans bring a unique skillset to the workforce — leadership abilities, mission-driven values and the ability to thrive in challenging environments. Those are the skills we're looking for at GMR. Hear from some of our veterans and learn how they used their military skills to transition into a career in EMS.
Chris Artac
United States Coast Guard
Chris Artac's journey into the U.S. Coast Guard was inspired by his father’s service and the exciting aviation missions he learned about from his father's experiences.
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Gene Hansen
United States Army
Gene Hansen began his military service in the Marine Corps before transitioning to the Army, where he found greater career opportunities.
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Ross Shaffer
United States Coast Guard
Ross Shaffer joined the U.S. Coast Guard because he admired the military branch’s dual mission of saving lives and interdicting in the illegal drug trade.
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Ryan Spencer-Smith
United States Navy
Ryan Spencer-Smith joined the U.S. Navy as a Corpsman (Medic) attached to 1st Battalion, 7th Marines. He joined AMR and put his military training to work in a civilian role.
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Steven Dralle
United States Army Reserves
As President of GMR's South Region, Steve Dralle draws on his experiences in the military when faced with challenges.
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Jesus Velazco
United States Army Military Police
Jesus Velazco served his country as a military policeman in the U.S. Army. The skills and lessons he learned there continue to serve him in his civilian role with AMR.
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Traci DeVillier
United States Coast Guard
A former U.S. Coast Guard administrator is using the skills she learned in the military to manage complex projects as the top assistant with a GMR-affiliated ambulance service.
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Daniel “Dan” Laguna
United States Army
Meet the only American to receive the Polish Silver Star since WWII and who says his time in the military prepared him well for a career in the air medical field.
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Stephen Schiller
United States Army
A colonel with the U.S. Army recounts how the military prepared him for a career in saving lives in the air medical ambulance industry.
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Donnie Wharton
United States Air Force Reserves
A military Veteran reflects how the U.S. Armed Forces provided him with the skills and knowledge he uses today to grow innovative solutions at one of the leading emergent care services in the nation.
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Alejandro (Alex) Labrada
United States Army
Alejandro Labrada enlisted in the U.S. Army immediately after graduating high school at the age of 18.
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David Bennett
United States Army
As a retired Lieutenant Colonel (O-5) in the U.S. Army Reserve, David Bennett uses the skills he’s acquired from the military to help the patients he now serves as a flight nurse with Air Evac Lifeteam.
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Charles (Charlie) Wise
United States Coast Guard
Charlie Wise comes from a long line of Veterans. His grandfather fought in World War II. His great grandfather served in both World Wars, as a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Coast Guard: the branch Wise, himself, chose in 1988.
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Dwayne McDuffie
United States Army Reserves
Dwayne McDuffie joined the U.S. Army Reserves after the events of 9/11. He's still serving 20 years later and bringing what he's learned in the military to his civilian role.
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Jason Talbott
U.S. Air Force
From being sworn in the Air Force on 9/11 to serving as an AMR Supervisor in St. Louis, Missouri, learn how Jason Talbot’s military experience helped pave the way for an enduring career in EMS.
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Don Lines
United States Army National Guard
In January of 2023, Don Lines will retire from the Tennessee Army National Guard after 22 years of service. He was a combat medic for six years and has spent the last 16 as a helicopter pilot, a role that he also performs with distinction in civilian life as a base pilot for Air Evac Lifeteam.
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Cybil Forkner
United States Army
A Private First Class with the Army uses her expertise to respond to medical emergencies as a traveling EMT with AMR Napa in California with most of her assignments in the San Bernardino County.
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Dawn Penton
United States Army
Former combat field medic, Dawn Penton credits her military experience in helping her build a nearly 25-year-old successful career with AMR.
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Christopher Parker
United States Navy
Christopher Parker took the training he received as a Navy medic and built a 20+-year career at AMR.
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James (Bud) Adams
United States Navy
Adams’ medical experience in the military equipped him with skills for a more than two-decade career with AMR Las Vegas.
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Errol Medeiros
U.S. Navy
Medeiros’ military experience provided him with skills and expertise for a career with AMR Southern California.
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Joseph Santiago
United States Army
Santiago's military training prepared him to be an ethical leader and expert clinician who is used to working in austere and complex environments.
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Mike DiGaetano
United States Navy (Attached to the Marine Corps)
DiGaetano used his 14 years of Naval service to build a 24-year career with American Medical Response.
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Kelly Kjelstrom
United States Navy, National Guard, Army Reserves, Air Force Reserves
Kelly Kjelstrom's military journey took him from the Navy to the California National Guard, the Army Reserves and, finally, to the Air Force Reserves. All of which have given him the tools and the capabilities that help him thrive in his civilian role as a Paramedic with American Medical Response.
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Stefanie Everts
United States Marine Corps
As part of a flight team on a H135 air ambulance helicopter, Everts draws from her military experience in her successful and vital civilian career.
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Kyle Pitcock
United States Air Force
From U.S. Air Force to AMR, Pitcock used his military experience to serve others in critical need.
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Michael W. Spaulding
United States Army
Spaulding flew AH-64A/D Apache helicopters for more than 23 years, and brought that experience to AEL.
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John Alderete
United States Army
John Alderete comes from a family steeped in service to its country.
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Yonel Dorelis
Army Veteran
Dorelis served across multiple military branches, including the Marines, Navy, Army, National Guard and Air Force.
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Kevin Pappin
Coast Guard Veteran
Pappin has dedicated his life to surviving civilians from the Coast Guard to AMR.
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Angela Minnich
Air Force Veteran
Minnich's discipline, compassion, honesty and integrity are just a few of skills she attributes to the military.
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Cliff Baldwin
Marine Corps Veteran
Baldwin followed in his father's footsteps and served in the Marine Corps for 8 years.
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Jack Le
Army Veteran
Jack Le is active in the Arizona National Guard and serves his community with REACH.
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Mark Campbell
Air Force Veteran
The belief in service to one’s country runs deeply in Mark Campbell’s family.
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Duane Kuhlow
Air Force Veteran
Duane is a dedicated caregiver and started his EMS career back when AMR was Hartson in 1989.
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Joshua Phillips
Army Veteran
The Army gave Joshua the tools and experience to effectively lead, manage and supervise.
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Kenneth Denk
Navy and Navy Reserves Veteran
Kenneth credits the military for preparing him for his role at GMR.
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Carol Gilliam
Marine Corps Veteran
Carol Gilliam has been a part of the GMR family for 32 years, continuing to make a difference in her community.
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Gregory Calvert
Army Veteran
Pilot Gregory Calvert served in the U.S. Army for 33 years and continues his passion with Med-Trans Corp.
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Jeremey Shumaker
Army and Army Reserve Veteran
After serving in the Army and Army Reserves, Jeremey is able to serve his hometown with AMR.
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Chelsea Tugaw
Air Force Veteran
Tugaw credits her time in the service as a solid foundation she uses every day.
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Nicholas Cox
Army Veteran
After serving 22 years in the United States Army, Cox continues to serve his community.
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Peter Broda
Coast Guard Veteran
Broda's experience in the Coast Guard prepared him for leadership in aviation.
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Jackie Dillard
Army Veteran
Dillard credits his service in the Army for much of his civilian success.
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Kenneth Ford
Army Veteran
Ford recalls the historical events he witnessed after two-decades in the military.
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Anna Blair
Navy Veteran
Navy Veteran Anna Blair was inspired to join the Navy by her grandmother, who served in the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps during WWII.
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Scott Kerchner
Marine Corps Veteran
After 26 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, Scott Kerchner calls REACH home.
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Ronnie Fleming
Navy Veteran
Ronnie Fleming continues serving on the home front after 26 years flying in the U.S. Navy.
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Bert Vargas
Air Force Veteran
Dr. Bert Vargas touches on his experience in the U.S. Air Force and the skills he utilizes in his civilian role.
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Erin Johansen
Air Force Veteran
Air Force and National Guard Veteran Erin Johansen's passion for aviation stems from her upbringing around aircrafts.
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Robert Keen
Air Force Veteran
Air Force Veteran Robert Keen credits the military for his strong work ethic and discipline needed for success.
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Clark Hickingbottom
Navy Veteran
Navy Veteran Clark Hickingbottom continues his commitment to serve others in his home State of Texas.
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Robert Galvin
Army Veteran
Air Evac Lifeteam's Robert Galvin used his experice in the Army to prepare him for COVID-19 deployment in New York City.
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Gil Watkins
Army National Guard Veteran
Gil Watkins continues to use the aviation skills he learned in the military to serve his community.
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Tiffiny Mallett-Daniel
Air Force Veteran
Whether active duty in the military or a veteran, Mallett-Daniel has always focused on one thing – making a difference.
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Tim Jenkins
Army Veteran
Tim knew transitioning from military to civilian life might be challenging, but he was able to rise to the occasion.
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Richard Madison
Army Veteran
Richard Madison credits his 20 years of service in the United States Army for giving him the ability to tackle any assignment.
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Tito Villanueva
Navy Veteran
Teamwork is something Tito learned during his time as a Navy Corpsman.
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