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.
Lawrence “Larry” Peranto
United States Coast Guard
Military service runs in Lawrence “Larry” Peranto’s family. His father served in the Air Force and his grandfather retired from the Army. Carrying on that tradition was something Larry was proud to do.
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Dawne Stone
United States Navy
With an unwavering commitment to service and 23 in emergency medical services (EMS), Dawne Stone embodies both leadership and compassion. Her journey began in 1985 when she enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving 2.5 years on active duty and 5.5 years in the reserves.
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Jeff Bragg
United States Army
For Jeff Bragg, joining the military was about answering a personal call to serve and challenging himself in a meaningful way.
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Mike LaMee
United States Air Force and United States Army
Service runs deep in Mike LaMee’s family, stretching back to World War II. It’s a tradition he proudly carried forward through his own 20 years in uniform.
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Robert Mills
United States Army
Robert Mills joined the U.S. Army on September 11, 2001, entering service on the same day our nation was attacked. Witnessing the events of 9/11 unfold only deepened his resolve to serve. Fascinated since childhood by combat helicopters, Robert saw the Army as a way to make that dream a reality.
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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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Randy Varady
United States Army
Randy Varady joined the Army in 1997 as an armor crew member right out of high school, inspired by his family’s legacy of military service and the stories his grandfather shared from his time during the Korean War.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Tito Villanueva
Navy Veteran
Teamwork is something Tito learned during his time as a Navy Corpsman.
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