ENGAGE 2024
MEET THE SPEAKERS
Join us as we hear from great industry leaders discussing their journeys and successes with Operative IQ. Additional speakers will be announced in the coming weeks. Use the button below to register for ENGAGE!
Join us as we hear from great industry leaders discussing their journeys and successes with Operative IQ. Additional speakers will be announced in the coming weeks. Use the button below to register for ENGAGE!
George Piro is an internationally renowned motivational speaker, presenter, and leadership instructor. His inspiring story will detail what it takes to pursue one's goals despite the challenges we all face and the important traits to overcome those challenges to achieve our dreams. As way of background, George was born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon. When he was 12 years old, he and his family were extremely fortunate to escape the civil war engulfing Lebanon to seek a new life in the United States. His parents served as examples of courage, discipline, hard work, and most importantly unwavering determination. This has played heavily in George's success in life and within each organization in which he has served. George became a US citizen at 17 and served his country for approximately 37 years. Despite his circumstances, he had the will and determination to push himself to excel.
George's aspirations led him to not only be accepted but complete a graduate degree from Georgetown University. Professionally, he recently retired as the Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Miami Field Office. His career spans over 30 years in federal and local law enforcement. George is a proven, highly accomplished leader who has demonstrated a wide array of fisting capabilities leading major crises, complex criminal and national security investigations, and large-scale events. Most notably, George was selected as the team leader and interrogator for the FBI team responsible for the interrogation of Saddam Hussein. During this time, George spent seven months leading the interrogation of Saddam Hussein and other key figures within the former Iraqi regime. At the time, George had only five years of experience as a special agent in the FBI.
Over the course of his FBI career, George received numerous awards for his intelligence and law enforcement service, including the National Intelligence Medal of Achievement, the FBI Director's Award for Excellence, ADL's Blue Shielf Award for Counter Terrorism Excellence, Multiple FBI Combat Theater Awards, and the FBI Medal for Meritorious Achievement for life-saving action. George was privileged to have had one of the most unique, distinguished careers, retiring as one of the most decorated special agents in FBI history, recognized as the 5th greatest special agent in FBI history.
His motivational presentation will inspire and provide a roadmap for success in the face of challenges. George will share the values that helped him succeed not only in his law enforcement career but also as a Brazilian Jujitsu fighter. His discipline and hard work led him to be featured in Muscle and Fitness, and more importantly win the 2022 IBJJF World No-Gi Championship. George believes that "everyone wants to be a champion but not everyone is willing to put in the hard work." There is no perfect way, no easy path towards success. There are common characteristics shared by great leaders and champions - most of these traits are present in everyone but must be developed by the individual.
Chase Coates began his career in EMS in 2009 when he started working as an EMT for EMSA (Emergency Medical Services Authority) in Tulsa, OK. After completing his Bachelor's degree in Zoology with a minor in Leadership Studies from the University of Oklahoma, he started paramedic school. Chase worked as a paramedic from 2013 to 2017 until he was promoted to Field Operations Supervisor. He transitioned to the Owasso Fire Department in 2020 where he worked as a Firefighter/Paramedic. An EMS Captain position was added to the department, and Chase fulfilled that role in the Fall of 2023. He oversees the clinical QA program, EMS training, inventory, and other EMS-related tasks. Chase has experience with the Operative IQ platform as a user for over 10 years. He has had admin rights to the platform for three years and has worked to make Operative IQ function as efficiently as possible for the Owasso Fire Department.
Marc Ferguson is the Business Operations Supervisor at the Durham County Office of Emergency Services in Durham, NC. In his role, he expertly manages logistics, fleet management, contracting, and purchasing, while ensuring adherence to privacy compliance standards. Marc holds a Master of Health Sciences in Emergency Medical Care Management and is a certified Paramedic, equipping him with a deep understanding of both the strategic and operational aspects of emergency services. His blend of advanced academic credentials and practical experience enables him to drive efficiencies, optimize resource allocation, and enhance the overall effectiveness of emergency response operations.
Ben Neal is the Director of Emergency Medical Services for Baptist Health in Louisville, Kentucky, and has 23 years of EMS experience in urban and county government, fire-based, and hospital-based systems. Ben serves as the Vice-Chair of the Kentucky Board of EMS (KBEMS), and the Chair of the Executive Committee for KBEMS, which oversees all regulatory and financial aspects of the Board. Ben serves as a committee member for the National EMS Management Association (NEMSMA) Quality Committee, the National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP) Education Committee, and is a section editor for the International Journal of Paramedicine.
Charles Blanchard — better known as "Charlie" — is a seasoned Lieutenant and Paramedic with Suffolk Fire & Rescue, where he has dedicated 28 years of service. Prior to this, he was a Volunteer Firefighter/EMS-Shock Trauma with Driver Volunteer Fire Department. Currently, Charlie serves as the Logistics Officer and Department Pharmacist, a role that leverages his extensive experience to ensure the efficient management of the department's resources. He is also a proud member of the Suffolk Fire & Rescue SWAT Medic Team, which not only deploys with the Suffolk Police Department SWAT Team but is also attached to the Virginia State Police Division 5 SWAT Team. In his role as a Tactical Medic attached to VSP Division 5, he has had the opportunity to work with the FBI, Homeland Security, ATF, the Secret Service CAT teams, and other Federal and Local Agencies.
Throughout his career, Charlie has held various assignments, including roles in several Engine Companies, the MIRT Team, Ladders 3 and 6, and as an EMS Supervisor and inspector. His work as a Special Events Paramedic has seen him take on unique challenges, such as serving as a Ringside Medic for Spartyka Fight League and the UFC.
Charlie's dedication has been recognized with several awards, including the Department's Medal of Honor and the AHA Save a Life Award in 2001 for rescuing an 11-year-old boy from near drowning in the James River. In 2018, he received a Unit Citation Award for his crucial role in the extrication of a small child trapped in a swimming pool intake.
Educationally, Charlie attended North Carolina Wesleyan College, where he studied Political Science, and Tidewater Community College, where he earned his National Registered Paramedic certification. He is also a graduate of the Southside Fire Academy. Throughout his career, Charlie has obtained several Heavy Tactical Rescue certificates, Office Development certificates, and Advanced Tactical Operations Medical Specialist certification (ATOMS). He was also an ACLS, BLS, and Stop the Bleed Instructor.
In addition to his professional responsibilities, Charlie was a founding member and served on the Board of Directors and as Project Manager of American Veterans Tribute, an organization dedicated to celebrating veterans and their service, as well as supporting PTSD research. He has also been a proud member of the IAFF Local 2801 since its formation in Suffolk Fire & Rescue.
In his current role, Charlie is passionate about integrating Operative IQ into Suffolk Fire & Rescue's operations, believing it to be the essential tool for managing the department's Logistics Chain. He lives by the words of management theorist Peter Drucker: "If you can't measure it, you can't manage it," and strives to be the driving force behind this critical transformation.
Edward Szafran is the Operations Chief of the Greater Pittston Regional Ambulance in Pittston City, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. He has 27 years of experience in the EMS field, including the past 12 years in his current role. He has worked in all sectors of EMS, serving diverse demographics and populations. Edward is also a member of the United States Department of Health and Human Services' Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Disaster Medical Assistance Team and an active participant in the Pennsylvania Central Region Healthcare Coalition.
He holds an associate degree in Emergency Medical Services Management from Luzerne County Community College and several board certifications in disaster preparedness and management. Under his leadership, Greater Pittston Regional Ambulance was recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of EMS, as the EMS Agency of the Year in 2019. Edward also participated in the NEMSQA Lights and Sirens Collaborative and is currently involved in the NAEMSP yearlong Quality Improvement and Safety Course and NAEMSQA's Airway Management EQuIP Collaborative. In establishing the regional ALS program for his service, Chief Szafran has developed, educated, and collaborated with others to maintain fiscally responsible, patient- and provider-centric prehospital services.
Carl Laundrie is a Battalion Chief with Volusia County Fire Rescue located in Central Florida. Chief Laundrie has the privilege of serving 25 years in the Fire Service and multiple positions within the department including Firefighter, Company Officer, and Operational Battalion Chief. Since 2021, he has served as the Battalion Chief over the department's Logistics Division. Under his direction, the division completed multiple capital improvement projects and fire station renovations allowing for increased staffing at stations.
Laundrie was instrumental in the expanded use of Operative IQ within the department. Shifting from a traditional centralized warehouse-based system to a direct shipment to station through Operative IQ using integrated and non-integrated accounts for office, building, and EMS supplies. Partnering with BoundTree Medical, his team created a unique EMS supply system allowing supplies and medications to be ordered individually. EMS supplies arrive from BoundTree packaged for delivery directly to each of Volusia's 19 fire stations. He initiated the department's UCapIt-5 program, allowing automated vending and 24-hour access of EMS supplies from 4 separate locations.
Chief Laundrie graduated from The University of Florida with a B.S. in Fire & Emergency Services Management. Prior to that, he graduated from St. Petersburg College with an A.S. in Fire Science. He holds a Paramedic Certification, State of Florida Fire Officer IV, and Fire Instructor II certifications. Chief Laundrie is a member of the Central Florida Fire Chief's Association. Chief Laundrie and his wife Jenny, along with their four children, reside in Flagler County Florida.
Gillian Tessier is currently the Logistics Manager for Harris County Emergency Services District 11 Mobile Healthcare in Spring, Texas. Gillian is a certified Paramedic through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians and the Texas Department of State Health Services. She also assists ESD 11 Education Division with new hire academies, CPR classes, emergency vehicle operator courses, and continuing education classes. Prior to joining ESD 11 in 2021, Gillian spent 19 years with Cypress Creek Emergency Medical Service. In that time, Gillian served as an attendant, in charge paramedic, field training officer, station captain, and logistics supervisor. She is also an adjunct instructor for the Harris County Fire Marshal's Office Training Division where she teaches American Heart Association CPR and First Aid Classes as well as Tactical Combat Casualty Care courses. Gillian started her career in 2002 and has been involved in the fire service, law enforcement, and emergency medical service ever since. Gillian holds an Intermediate Peace Officer certification through the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement as well as an Intermediate Fire and Arson Investigator through the Texas Commission on Fire Protection.
Robert Sullivan is currently a Battalion Chief with Alachua County Fire Rescue in Gainesville, FL. He has been with the agency for the past eighteen years, serving in roles as a Lead Paramedic Firefighter, Lieutenant, and Training Lieutenant. He is a Florida Certified Fire Officer, Fire Instructor, and Critical Care Paramedic. He obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Fire and Emergency Services from the University of Florida and recently completed the Managing EMS course at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. When he is not busy at work, he spends time with his wife and four children.
Christian Donley is an experienced EMS Captain at the Baltimore City Fire Department in Maryland. He has been with the department for 13 years and has over 18 years of experience in EMS. Currently, he is part of the Logistics Division and plays an active role in implementing the Operative IQ Program. In addition to his role at the Baltimore City Fire Department, Christian also serves as a paid Quartermaster for the Bel Air Vol Fire Department, where he gained experience in inventory management and Operative IQ in 2018. His focus on maintaining records, tracking inventory, cost management, and improving communication aligns with the department's goals of optimizing resource utilization and ensuring readiness for emergencies. Christian's efforts also contribute to maintaining the department's ISO 1 rating, which reflects their commitment to excellence in fire protection services.