Meet Our Veterans

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.

Steven Dralle
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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Traci DeVillier
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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Jesus Velazco
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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Daniel “Dan” Laguna
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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Christopher Parker
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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Dawn Penton
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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Joseph Santiago
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
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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Stefanie Everts
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
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
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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Michael Nicola
Michael Nicola
United States Army

After nearly seven years serving in the Army, Nicola was ready to try something new.

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John Alderete
John Alderete
United States Army

John Alderete comes from a family steeped in service to its country.

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Yonel Dorelis
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Joshua Phillips
Army Veteran

The Army gave Joshua the tools and experience to effectively lead, manage and supervise.

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William "Pat" Gerdemann
William "Pat" Gerdemann
Air Force Veteran

Pat dedicated over 20 years to the Air Force.

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Carol Gilliam
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
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
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
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
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
Peter Broda
Coast Guard Veteran

Broda's experience in the Coast Guard prepared him for leadership in aviation.

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Jackie Dillard
Jackie Dillard
Army Veteran

Dillard credits his service in the Army for much of his civilian success.

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Kenneth Ford
Kenneth Ford
Army Veteran

Ford recalls the historical events he witnessed after two-decades in the military.

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Scott Kerchner
Scott Kerchner
Marine Corps Veteran

After 26 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, Scott Kerchner calls REACH home.

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Bert Vargas
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
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
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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Robert Galvin
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
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
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
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
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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Shawn Hunter
Shawn Hunter
Army Veteran

As an Army veteran, Shawn Hunter has worn many hats.

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Allen Ward
Allen Ward
Army Veteran

Fighting fires has been a passion of Allen Ward’s his whole life.

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