Meet Our Leadership

Administration | Medical Directors | Louisiana Instructors | Texas Instructors

Taylor Richard

Director of National EMS Academy

Taylor Richard completed his EMT and paramedic training through the National EMS Academy and began his EMS career in 2010. A native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Taylor joined the Acadian team as an EMT serving the Baton Rouge area. Throughout his career Taylor held many roles such as Operations Coordinator in Dallas, Texas and Operations Manager in Monroe, Louisiana and advancing to Director of the National EMS Academy. As the director, he oversees initial education for EMR/ECA, EMT and Paramedic training, CCT training and recertification initiatives for current employees and external customers through continuing education. In addition, he also oversees external education through the American Heart Association and the recruitment of students and ground operation personnel. Taylor holds an associate’s degree in Applied Sciences from SLCC and is working toward his Bachelor of Science in Unified Public Safety Administration from Northwestern State University of Louisiana.

Timothy Dronet

Paramedic Program Manager

Timothy (TJ) Dronet has been involved in EMS since 2009 and is currently serving as Operations Coordinator for NEMSA . TJ is a certified Louisiana EMS Instructor through the Louisiana Bureau of EMS. He also teaches BLS, ACLS and PALS courses. Additionally, TJ holds the position of training center faculty through the American Heart Association. He is a graduate of the National EMS Academy and obtained an associate of applied science from South Louisiana Community College.

Scott Saunier

Operations Manager

Scott Saunier is an experienced emergency medical technician with over three decades of experience in the field. He began his career in 1989 as an EMT-Basic in New Iberia, Louisiana, where he worked in ground operations. Two years later, he became an EMT-Paramedic in the same location, still in ground operations.

In 1993, Saunier expanded his expertise by providing remote medical coverage for land and offshore installations. Two years later, he became involved in air medical services, working in both rotor and fixed-wing operations with Air Med Services.

After a decade of hands-on work, Saunier transitioned into a sales role in 2001 for SMS, where he eventually became a Sales Manager for the group until 2008.

Saunier eventually returned to Acadian Companies in 2021, where he currently works as an Operations Manager, collaborating with recruiting, recurrent education, critical care training, and CBT production teams, all under NEMSA.

Throughout his career, Saunier has been recognized for his outstanding work, earning the Acadian Paramedic of the Year award in 1998 and the National Flight Paramedic Tim Hynes Award in 1999. With his extensive background in emergency medical services and his leadership role at Acadian Companies, Saunier continues to make a significant impact in his field.

Charles Burnell, M.D.

Chief Medical Officer, Lafayette/Lake Charles

Charles Burnell, M.D., serves as lead overall associate medical directors across Acadian’s service areas. Dr. Burnell reviews on-scene medical procedures and protocols between medics and emergency room physicians. He oversees training and continuing education programs at NEMSA, Acadian’s wellness and quality enhancement programs, as well as Acadian’s HSE program. He is a graduate of Louisiana State University School of Medicine and is board certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine. Before becoming medical director, Dr. Burnell worked closely with Acadian for 16 years, including the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina where he served as the director of air transports of patients from the Superdome. Dr. Burnell graduated summa cum laude with a degree in biochemistry at Louisiana State University.

Emily Kidd, M.D.

Medical Director, Beaumont/Austin

Dr. Emily Kidd, Acadian’s Texas medical director, oversees the company’s clinical operations throughout the state. She has an extensive background in clinical Emergency Medicine and EMS and serves as the assistant medical director for the San Antonio Fire Department and the assistant medical director for the Houston Fire Department’s Division of EMS. Dr. Kidd is also a member of the Texas Governor’s EMS and Trauma Advisory Council (GETAC) Disaster and Emergency Preparedness Committee and the Federal Emergency Management Agency National Advisory Council.

Dr. Kidd is a double-board certified in Emergency Medical Services and Emergency Medicine and is a fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians. She is an assistant professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center, Department of Emergency Health Sciences at San Antonio.

Michael Loewe, M.D.

Medical Director, Baton Rouge

Dr. Michael Loewe started as an EMT and obtained his paramedic license while attending Tulane University. He worked in New Orleans as a paramedic before starting medical school at LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. Dr. Loewe trained in emergency medicine at Charity Hospital/LSUHSC. He has been working in the emergency medicine department of Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge for 14 years.

Fredro Knight, M.D.

Medical Director, Covington

Dr. Fredro Knight is board certified in Emergency Medicine. He trained in EMS and Emergency Medicine at the University of Chicago where he participated in the flight and international transport program. He also serves as the medical director for three St. Tammany Fire Districts.

Vincent Tullos, M.D.

Vincent Tullos MD, FACEP, FAAEM is an experienced emergency medicine physician with a background in prehospital care and military experience. Prior to joining NEMSA as a remote location consultant and Medical Director, Dr. Tullos served as Regional Medical Director for CM-Medical Staffing over several critical access hospital Eds for 5 years.

Dr. Tullos’s extensive background in emergency medicine and prehospital care, along with his experience in the USMC, make him a perfect match for presenting material in all aspects of EM. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Science with a minor in Biochemistry from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. He then went on to receive his MD from Louisiana State University in New Orleans, and completed his residency at Earl K. Long Hospital in Baton Rouge.

Dr. Tullos is board-certified in both Emergency Medicine and EMS, and holds fellowships in both the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and the American Academy of Emergency Medicine (AAEM). He has also been recognized for his exceptional contributions to the field of emergency medicine, and is a member of several professional organizations, including the National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP) and the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM).

With his vast experience and expertise, Dr. Tullos continues to make significant contributions to the field of emergency medicine and prehospital care.

David Finley

Baton Rouge | Covington

David Finley has been involved in EMS since 1989 and an EMS instructor since 2005. He is the regional coordinator for the Baton Rouge and Covington NEMSA sites and also serves as an assistant instructor for the paramedic program. David has an associate degree in applied science paramedic from South Louisiana Community College.

Chris Bearb

Alexandria | Lake Charles | Beaumont

Chris Bearb has been working in EMS since 1993. Throughout his career, Chris has worked on an ambulance, as an offshore remote paramedic, education coordinator, and currently serves as a regional coordinator where he oversees the day-to-day operations at NEMSA’s Lake Charles and Beaumont campuses. Chris has an associate degree in applied science and is working on a bachelor’s degree in unified public service management from Northwestern State University.

Kiara Gills

New Orleans

Kiara Gills has been involved in EMS since 2015 and became a NEMSA instructor in 2021. She became an EMT in 2015 and later earned her Paramedic through the NEMSA program in 2017. She began teaching ACLS and BLS classes and transitioned into assisting EMT and paramedic classes. She has also instructed paramedic and EMT classes in Nashville.

Jessica Hirtzler

Education Coordinator

Jessica Hirtzler has worked for Acadian since 1994 as an EMT and paramedic. She currently teaches the paramedic classes in Alexandria. Jessica has an associate degree in applied science from South Louisiana Community College.

Karlo Rivera

Instructor

Karlo Rivera entered EMS as an EMT in August of 2012. He obtained his training from NEMSA and has worked for Acadian since then. In December of 2019 he earned his Paramedic Certification along with his Associates in Applied Sciences. Prior to EMS, he graduated from NSU with a Bachelor’s Degree and was an elementary school teacher for some time. Karlo has been part of the NEMSA team as an adjunct and then Associate Instructor for quite some time. As of Summer 2022, he has been the Paramedic Instructor for the Alexandria site.

Alan Lambert

Instructor

Alan Lambert has been involved in EMS since 1989. Alan is the paramedic course instructor at the Baton Rouge campus. He served on the board of directors of the National Association of State EMS Officials and as the Chairman of the National Education and Professional Standards Council. In 2011, he was invited to the Emergency Services and Homeland Security Education mission in Israel. He has an associate of applied science and AAS paramedic degree from Baton Rouge Community College.

Justin Antarikananda

Instructor

Justin Antarikananda obtained his EMT with NEMSA in 2014 and became a Paramedic in 2015. Justin worked in the Baton Rouge area as a CCT medic while serving as an Adjunct and Associate Instructor. In January 2022, he became a NEMSA instructor for Baton Rouge. Justin received an Associate’s Degree of Applied Sciences from South Louisiana Community College, as well as a Bachelor’s Degree of Biological Sciences from Louisiana State University.

Michael Chiappetta

Instructor

Michael Chiappetta obtained his EMT through Baton Rouge Community College and immediately began working for Acadian Ambulance in 2016. Michael attended the National EMS Academy in Baton Rouge and became a paramedic in 2018. He worked for Acadian as a paramedic in the Capital Area from 2018-2021. During that time, he also worked as an adjunct with the NEMSA Baton Rouge paramedic classes and as a National Registry Examiner. He became the Covington paramedic instructor in January of 2021.

Megan Corbet

Instructor

Johnathan Dees

Instructor

Johnathan Dees has been involved in EMS since 2009 and an instructor since 2012. A NEMSA alumni, he received his associate degree in applied science from South Louisiana Community College. Johnathan decided to change his career from IT to the EMS field after being inspired by his paramedic father-in-law. He attended the National EMS Academy’s EMT class in Jefferson Parish and joined the Acadian family in 2009. He immediately recognized that he loved this line of work. He then went through the paramedic course in Gretna. During his time as an EMT and while going through paramedic class, Johnathan volunteered at the Academy every chance he got. He began teaching the paramedic class full-time in 2012.

Adam Nosacka

Instructor

Adam Nosacka has been involved in EMS since 2014 and became an instructor in 2022. He became an EMT in 2014 and became a paramedic through the NEMSA program in 2017. He has worked at Acadian and New Orleans EMS. Currently, Adam is a paramedic instructor in New Orleans although you may find him responding to calls on the Acadian Bike Team.

Maddy Clesi

Instructor

Ryan Starr

Instructor

Kenneth “Ryan” Starr began his EMS career in 2011, after completing an active duty assignment with the US Marine Corps. Ryan previously worked in the Jefferson Parish area. In addition to teaching with NEMSA, Ryan obtained his AHA instructor certification.

Ryan Harmon

Instructor

Ryan currently serves as a paramedic instructor in New Orleans and is originally from the Big Easy. He has 13 years of experience in EMS.

Shelby Frazier

Instructor

Glenn Naquin

Education Coordinator

Glenn Naquin started in EMS in 1993 and received his paramedic certification in 1996. He has worked in fire, ground ambulance, offshore medic, and aviation medical services. Glenn became an education coordinator for NEMSA in 2010. He has a bachelor’s in psychology and a master’s degree in professional counseling from Liberty University.

Tamira Kennedy

Instructor

Alexis Boudreaux

Instructor

Cameron Comeaux

Instructor

Cameron Comeaux has been involved in Emergency Services since 2015 and currently teaches the EMT course at our Lafayette Campus. Before working for NEMSA Cameron was a field medic, preceptor, and CCT Medic for Acadian Amb. Cameron is a certified Louisiana EMS Instructor through the Louisiana Bureau of EMS and also teaches BLS, ACLS, and PALS courses and holds the position of training center faculty through the American Heart Association. Cameron is a graduate of the National EMS Academy and also received his Associate of Applied Science from South Louisiana Community College.

Christine Bourgeois

Instructor

Danielle Crochet

Instructor

Danielle Crochet has been involved in EMS since 2013 and teaches Paramedic and Remediation courses. Danielle is a certified Louisiana EMS Instructor through the Louisiana Bureau of EMS and also teaches BLS, ACLS, and PALS courses. Danielle is working towards an Associate of Applied Science from South Louisiana Community College and is also a graduate of the National EMS Academy.

Walter Siefford

Instructor

Walter Siefford has been involved in Emergency Medical Services since 2000. Over the years, he has worked in multiple system types, from volunteer, municipal, private, and specialty rescue across the United States. Shortly after obtaining his degree from the Jefferson College of Health Sciences in Roanoke, Virginia, in 2007, he came to work for Acadian Ambulance, where he spent 16 years as a field paramedic and field training officer before coming to work full time at the Lake Charles campus of NEMSA in the summer of 2023.

Kristine Koerner

Austin | Dallas | San Antonio | Memphis

Martin Lee

EMT Instructor

Martin Lee has been involved in EMS since 1996 with the U.S. Army. He has been directly involved in the EMS training programs, continuing education, and the new hire process at NEMSA’s Austin campus since 2007. In addition to his EMS instructor credentials, Martin has a master’s degree in acupuncture and oriental medicine from the Academy of Oriental Medicine at Austin.

Danny Hernandez

Instructor

Rebecca Gallagher

Instructor

Rebecca Gallagher has been involved in EMS since 2005 and became a paramedic through NEMSA in 2011. She began working full-time with NEMSA as an EMS instructor in 2014. She now the lead instructor for the Beaumont paramedic class and the Clinical Coordinator for the Beaumont site.

Christopher Fields

Instructor

Brian Hendricks

Instructor

Brian Hendricks started his EMS professional career in 1996 and has been involved in EMS Education since 2002. He has worked in municipalities, private services, industrial/offshore environments, and local community colleges throughout his career. In addition to Brian’s NRP certification, he currently holds certification as a Texas DSHS Advanced Coordinator and AHA instructor certifications in BLS, ACLS, and PALS. Brian has an Associate of Applied Science Degree from San Jacinto College Central in Emergency Medical Technology and Occupational Safety and Health Technology. He is attending Columbia Southern University for his Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration.

Analise Baker

Instructor

Seth Wood

Instructor

Seth Wood began his career in emergency medical services in 2011 with the American Red Cross at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany. Throughout his career, he has served as a medic in the pre-hospital setting, emergency department, adult and pediatric medical-surgical units, critical care and step-down units, and as a Flight Line Medic. Seth also served as an Emergency Medical Technician Instructor for Central Texas College, Europe, and American Heart Association Instructor for the Military Training Network, and AMR. He achieved his paramedic certification in December of 2019. Since then, he has served as a field paramedic and Critical Care Field Training Officer Paramedic for AMR and Acadian in San Antonio, Texas. Currently, he is serving as the Lead EMS Instructor for the National EMS Academy, in San Antonio, Texas. He is working towards a bachelor’s degree in Emergency Health Sciences.

Robert Burns

Instructor

Robert Burns has been in Emergency Response since 1988 in several states, and for the past 10+ years, he has been working on an ALS ambulance with Acadian in South Central Texas Bexar County. Robert has held positions as a preceptor and Field Training Officer. He is currently the lead EMT instructor in San Antonio. Robert obtained his Paramedic certification in 2015 through the University of Texas Health Science Center of San Antonio.

Clayton Butts