CFO

Board Member
Email: [email protected]

John D. Carrico II has extensive experience in a wide array of accounting, auditing, management consulting and tax services for a diverse client base, including national and international non-profit organizations, small businesses and healthcare entities. John has also assisted several clients navigating through the challenges of a start-up organization. A 1976 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, John served on the audit staff of Touche Ross, one of the original “Big 8” accounting firms before joining Carrico Associates where he was managing partner. John currently is a partner in the firm Cullari Carrico LLC, Certified Public Accountants and Advisors.

General Counsel

Board Member

Adam D. Wolper, the principal of Wolper Law Group, LLC is a seasoned real estate and corporate attorney, with significant litigation and bankruptcy experience as well. From 2012 through 2018, Adam was selected as a “New Jersey Rising Star” by New Jersey Monthly Magazine. In addition to serving as outside general counsel to companies and professional practices throughout the tristate area, Adam regularly represents clients in matters involving real estate acquisition, financing, and disposition; business formation, organization, and succession; capital raising; private securities offerings; mergers and acquisitions; joint ventures; and recapitalizations and restructurings. He also represents constituents in complex bankruptcy cases, including debtors, secured lenders, unsecured creditors’ committees, and asset purchasers in section 363 sales. Adam regularly lectures on these matters at continuing education seminars, and has published numerous articles in national publications such as Law360, Bloomberg Law Reports, and The American Bankruptcy Institute Journal, among others.  As a law student, Adam served as a Research Editor for the Delaware Journal of Corporate Law and as an intern for the Honorable Justice Virginia Long of the Supreme Court of New Jersey. He also obtained a Certificate of Specialized Legal Studies, with honors, in Business Organizations Law.

Healthcare Counsel

Board Member

Jonathan A. Keller is a health care attorney at the law firm of Drinker Biddle & Reath, LLP.  He is a part of his firm’s Health Care Practice Group.  Jonathan’s practice focuses on representing health care providers, including public and private hospital systems, academic medical centers, physician practices and individual providers in a variety of regulatory and transactional matters.  Specific aspects of his practice include healthcare M&A transactions, contract negotiation, clinical trial agreements and fraud and abuse counseling. 

Prior to joining his firm, Jonathan served as General Counsel to East Orange General Hospital and was a member of the hospital’s executive committee.  During his time at the hospital, Jonathan was heavily involved in the hospital’s acquisition by a for-profit entity; drafted physician employment agreements and leases; advised the medical executive committee on credentialing, bylaws, and rules and regulation matters; and oversaw the day-to-day legal operations of the hospital.  Jonathan also served as Secretary to the Board of Trustees. 

Prior to becoming a health care attorney, Jonathan worked as a retail pharmacist with a regional pharmacy chain. 

Jonathan earned his law degree from Seton Hall University, School of Law where he completed a concentration in Health Law. Jonathan earned his Doctorate of Pharmacy (Pharm D) from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy.

Chief Administrative Officer

Board Member

Email: [email protected]

Sarah Scharf is a passionate healthcare administrator at the Rutgers Cancer Institute in New Brunswick, NJ. Sarah has been involved in medical device and IT start-ups and is often referred to as the ultimate “go-to person” to get anything accomplished. She has been an administrator in telehealth and air medical transportation, as well as in population health cancer research. Sarah received her BA and MPH from Rutgers University and is currently working on a Doctorate of Public Health in Advanced Practice Leadership at the University of South Florida – College of Public Health.

CIO

Board Member

Email: [email protected] 

COMING SOON

Director of Operations

Email: [email protected]

COMING SOON

Program Manager

Email: [email protected]

COMING SOON

Program Coordinator

Email: [email protected]

COMING SOON

CFO

Board Member
Email: [email protected]

John D. Carrico II has extensive experience in a wide array of accounting, auditing, management consulting and tax services for a diverse client base, including national and international non-profit organizations, small businesses and healthcare entities. John has also assisted several clients navigating through the challenges of a start-up organization. A 1976 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, John served on the audit staff of Touche Ross, one of the original “Big 8” accounting firms before joining Carrico Associates where he was managing partner. John currently is a partner in the firm Cullari Carrico LLC, Certified Public Accountants and Advisors.

General Counsel

Board Member

Adam D. Wolper, the principal of Wolper Law Group, LLC is a seasoned real estate and corporate attorney, with significant litigation and bankruptcy experience as well. From 2012 through 2018, Adam was selected as a “New Jersey Rising Star” by New Jersey Monthly Magazine. In addition to serving as outside general counsel to companies and professional practices throughout the tristate area, Adam regularly represents clients in matters involving real estate acquisition, financing, and disposition; business formation, organization, and succession; capital raising; private securities offerings; mergers and acquisitions; joint ventures; and recapitalizations and restructurings. He also represents constituents in complex bankruptcy cases, including debtors, secured lenders, unsecured creditors’ committees, and asset purchasers in section 363 sales. Adam regularly lectures on these matters at continuing education seminars, and has published numerous articles in national publications such as Law360, Bloomberg Law Reports, and The American Bankruptcy Institute Journal, among others.  As a law student, Adam served as a Research Editor for the Delaware Journal of Corporate Law and as an intern for the Honorable Justice Virginia Long of the Supreme Court of New Jersey. He also obtained a Certificate of Specialized Legal Studies, with honors, in Business Organizations Law.

Healthcare Counsel

Board Member

Jonathan A. Keller is a health care attorney at the law firm of Drinker Biddle & Reath, LLP.  He is a part of his firm’s Health Care Practice Group.  Jonathan’s practice focuses on representing health care providers, including public and private hospital systems, academic medical centers, physician practices and individual providers in a variety of regulatory and transactional matters.  Specific aspects of his practice include healthcare M&A transactions, contract negotiation, clinical trial agreements and fraud and abuse counseling. 

Prior to joining his firm, Jonathan served as General Counsel to East Orange General Hospital and was a member of the hospital’s executive committee.  During his time at the hospital, Jonathan was heavily involved in the hospital’s acquisition by a for-profit entity; drafted physician employment agreements and leases; advised the medical executive committee on credentialing, bylaws, and rules and regulation matters; and oversaw the day-to-day legal operations of the hospital.  Jonathan also served as Secretary to the Board of Trustees. 

Prior to becoming a health care attorney, Jonathan worked as a retail pharmacist with a regional pharmacy chain. 

Jonathan earned his law degree from Seton Hall University, School of Law where he completed a concentration in Health Law. Jonathan earned his Doctorate of Pharmacy (Pharm D) from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy.

Chief Administrative Officer

Board Member

Email: [email protected]

Sarah Scharf is a passionate healthcare administrator at the Rutgers Cancer Institute in New Brunswick, NJ. Sarah has been involved in medical device and IT start-ups and is often referred to as the ultimate “go-to person” to get anything accomplished. She has been an administrator in telehealth and air medical transportation, as well as in population health cancer research. Sarah received her BA and MPH from Rutgers University and is currently working on a Doctorate of Public Health in Advanced Practice Leadership at the University of South Florida – College of Public Health.

CIO

Board Member

Email: [email protected] 

COMING SOON

Executive Assistant

Email: [email protected]

Josephine attended The Pennsylvania State University, where she was elected to several leadership positions for the largest student-run philanthropy in the world.  Since graduating from Penn State, Josephine has worked as both an ED Technician and Clinical Information Manager in the busiest Emergency Department on the East Coast, which sparked an interest in Emergency Medicine and Critical Care and led her to MD1.  She hopes to combine her love of medicine and philanthropy to help drive the MD1 mission forward, and ultimately aspires to become a physician.

Director of Business Development

Andrea Giordano has owned and operated ‘A Professional Edge’ recruitment, marketing, and business development firm for over 30 years. Clients range from small to publicly-traded global organizations. The companies Ms. Giordano consults for are organizations that have a mission for the greater good. The relationships she has honed have helped her to deliver key relationships to grow companies via revenues, talent, and client-base through digital marketing, recruitment, and a large colleague base of c-suite professionals. Ms. Giordano has graduate education at both NYU and Harvard Business School, and an undergraduate degree at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Her career started at the top executive placement firm in Boston, Ma Franklin-Pierce where she later left to start her own career placement firm in NJ that provided career placement for 25 years, and also she simultaneously founded Superior Job Fairs, New Jersey’s largest job fair company which was established in 1995.

Director of Operations

Email: [email protected]

COMING SOON

Board Member

Jeff Behm was the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for MONOC, the Monmouth-Ocean Hospital Services Corporation which is a non-profit hospital cooperative with acute care hospital members including RWJBarnabas Health, Hackensack Meridian Health, CentraState Healthcare System, and Deborah Heart and Lung.  MONOC operates the single largest MICU (paramedic) program in the State of New Jersey.  In addition to MICU services, MONOC provides Air Medical Critical Care Transport and Air Medical Emergency Scene response, as well as Ground Interfacility Specialty Care Transport.

Jeff has had leadership roles with the NJ Association of Paramedic Programs where he is currently the secretary. Jeff is a member of the NJ Mobile Intensive Care Unit Advisory Council, the NJ EMS Council, and he was the previous chair of the Specialty Care Transport sub-committee of the NJ EMS Council. Jeff has been a New Jersey paramedic for over 27 years and will become the President and CEO of MONOC on July 1, 2019.

Jeff is a servant leader with a passion for EMS and Population Health. He is responsible for the integration of EMS and medical transport across the 13 member hospitals and health systems of MONOC. In addition to his MBA, Jeff is a Fellow of the American College of Paramedic Executives, and a member of the Golden Key Honor Society and the Delta Mu Delta Honor Society in Business. Jeff was honored to serve Vice President Dick Cheney in August 2001 and July 2003 as part of the United States Secret Service Medical Protection Detail. Jeff also volunteers as a youth travel soccer coach.

Board Member

Founder and CEO of Donnelly Construction, Rod has established a culture of excellence within the company. He looks for ways to continuously improve our capabilities as well as seeking new opportunities to move Donnelly Construction forward. Over the years, Rod has expanded the company to serve clients in additional ways by creating Donnelly Energy and Donnelly Facilities. He plays a pivotal role in ensuring that all companies in the Donnelly family have the resources and guidance required to exceed client expectations by providing the best overall service in the industry. Rod has over 40 years’ experience in the General Contracting industry and has been a leading contractor servicing the New Jersey Office of Clean Energy’s Direct Install Program since its inception ten years ago.

Board Member

With over 20 years of executive experience, including almost a decade at American Express, Lissa Ferrell brings both a wealth of leadership experience and a unique skill set to the table. She is Vice President, Advisory, AML Compliance at Barclays Bank in New York City.  Lissa also founded LJF Consulting to pursue her passion of helping people and businesses thrive in a highly competitive environment. Her high-profile portfolio displays diversity of clients in multifaceted industries including hospitality, entertainment, health care, civic, sports, and education.

Board Member

With nearly twenty years’ experience in medical education and training, including digital medical publishing and business development, Joshua D Hartman is the Sr. Vice President, Public Safety & Cardiovascular Divisions at HMP. In his role at HMP, Josh manages the EMS World portfolio including the print, digital conference-based products including EMS World Expo and EMS World Americas. Prior to joining HMP, Josh served as Executive Director of the Center for Education at the Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF), where he co-founded the organization’s digital platform, TCTMD, a comprehensive, global, online educational resource in interventional cardiology. Josh also continues to work as a 911 and critical care paramedic – which he has done for more than twenty years – in both New York City with Hatzalah Volunteer Ambulance Corps and in northern New Jersey at Englewood Hospital & Medical Center. Josh is also an adjunct faculty member of the Paramedic Science Program at Bergen Community College located in Lyndhurst, NJ.

Board Member

August Leming is an internationally recognized expert in human motivation, behavior change, and performance psychology. He has been invited to speak at Yale University, Princeton University, and Williams College among many other respected academic institutions in the United States. August has also worked around the globe, consulting with Qatar Gas in Doha, Qatar, City Fitness Group Ltd., in Wellington, New Zealand and Philippines Magazine International in Manilla, Philippines.  Nationally, Dr. Leming has been blessed to serve Bristol Myers Squibb, Navigant, BNP Paribas and Independence Blue Cross.

Dr. Leming attended Columbia University, where he earned a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Philosophy. He completed his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at Seton Hall University, where he also served as an Adjunct Professor in Adolescent Psychology, Child Psychology and Statistics. August’s pioneering academic work earned him the American Psychological Association’s Outstanding Professional Development Award in 2003. He has been invited to speak at both the American Psychological Association and Eastern Psychological Association annual meetings.

Board Member

Al Ponenti is a 25year veteran with the New Jersey State Police and is the Deputy Superintendent of the Homeland Security Branch, commanding the Special Operations and Emergency Management Sections.  He currently sits as the State Deputy Director for the NJ Office of Emergency Management and is the co-chairperson of the State Emergency Response Commission.  His command is comprised of approximately 800 enlisted and civilian members overseeing capabilities in the realm of Aviation, Marine, Transportation Safety, SWAT, K9, and Explosive Detection. Within the Emergency Management Section Al’s command is responsible for the State Emergency Operations Center, Disaster Preparedness, Response, and Recovery operations, Communications, as well as the NJ State Urban Search and Rescue Team (NJ-TF1). He also sits as a member of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force Executive Board.

Prior to being appointed the Deputy Superintendent of Homeland Security he served as the NJ Task Force Commander and Director for the Office of the New Jersey Regional Operations Intelligence Center (NJ ROIC).  The Office of the NJ ROIC contains an all hazards, all crimes, all threats fusion center with a joint inter-agency intelligence enterprise comprised of 150 personnel from multiple federal, state, county, and municipal law enforcement and public safety agencies, charged with gathering, processing, analyzing, and disseminating information. In this capacity he also served as the co-chairperson for the Northeast Regional Intelligence Group responsible for coordinating information sharing among the 15 northeastern fusion centers.

Al served as the Bureau Chief maintaining the rank of Captain for the Executive Protection Bureau, responsible for the protective operations for Governor Chris Christie, the First Family, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and several other cabinet level appointees and visiting national and international dignitaries. The majority of Al’s career was spent with the Technical Emergency and Mission Specialist Unit (TEAMS) rising to the rank of Lieutenant, where he was responsible for statewide tactical missions, underwater search and recovery, counter assault elements for dignitary protection, high angle and aerial rescue, critical infrastructure protection, and counter terrorism operations.

Al earned a Master of Arts degree in Security Studies (Homeland Defense and Security) from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2008, a Master of Arts degree in Education from Seton Hall University in 1998 and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy Class 248 in 2012. He is also an adjunct professor at Monmouth University where he teaches in the graduate studies for homeland security education program.

Al joined the Travis Manion Foundation (TMF) team as a Character Does Matter (CDM) Ambassador in 2013 and continues to grow the CDM program among the ranks of the NJSP.  Al is also a strong supporter of the annual 911 Heroes Run and assists with TMF Survivor Services program.

Board Member

Jim Schatzle has been involved in the Emergency Medical Services field for over 40 Years, as an EMT, Firefighter, and Paramedic, interning at Johns Hopkins and Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, MD and was the first person in NJ to graduate with a degree in Emergency Health Services from the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC). In 1994, Jim established TEAM LIFE, INC., a training and AED sales company with headquarters in Colts Neck, NJ.  Along with a highly motivated team, TEAM LIFE has trained thousands of people in CPR, AED, and Advanced Classes. TEAM LIFE is one of the largest AED distributors in the country, implementing AED programs for Police, Fire, First Aid, Universities, Schools, Municipalities, Corporate, and Athletic programs.

Jim holds several faculty appointments including Seton Hall University School of Health and Medical Sciences and the Monmouth County Police Academy. Jim is involved in his hometown of Colts Neck and is a life member of the First Aid Squad, Fire Department, and former Mayor.  Jim’s greatest accomplishment is being Dad to his two Sons, Jimmy and Jack.

Jim’s goal is to empower people with knowledge and equipment to increase the chance of survival in times of emergencies – ANYONE CAN BE A HERO.

Board Member

Sim is the founder and CEO of ParaFlight EMS and Aviation, an air ambulance, organ transplant transport, and corporate air charter company based on the East coast.

Sim is a national registered paramedic who started his EMS career in March 1993. Since 2007, he has worked per diem as a 9-1-1 paramedic for MONOC, the largest provider of Advanced Life Support in NJ. He is the ALS coordinator for Hatzolah EMS in Ocean County NJ.  In 2012, he earned the Paramedic of the Year Award from the State of New Jersey. He is also a member of the Lakewood Township Water Rescue Team.    

Sim holds a Bachelors Degree in Talmudic Law and volunteers with numerous organizations, including Howell Township First Aid and Rescue, Hatzolah EMS in New York and New Jersey, Chai Lifeline, Camp Simcha for children with cancer, Camp Simcha Special for children with disabilities and special needs, ZAKA International Rescue and Recovery and  Misameach Spreading Smiles. He is a board member of Minyan Shelanu peer support center for teens and young adults and Magenu, an organization that works to protect children by promoting education in personal safety.

Board Member

For over 25 years Dr. Nancy Simpkins, a board certified internist and internal medicine expert in Livingston, NJ, has been involved in all aspects of internal medicine, to ensure a healthy lifestyle for all ages incorporating prevention into all aspects of health and wellness.

Known for her diagnostic ability, coupled with her wit, Dr. Simpkins has garnered a huge following and become a sought after speaker, guest and consultant. She is dedicated to raising awareness on a large variety of topics.

Dr. Simpkins has developed a thriving private internal medicine expert practice that is the core of her career.  As an adjunct to that, she also holds the position of medical consultant for the state of New Jersey. In this role, she works part time for the state under the federal agency of social security administration, and has received multiple commissioner citations from SSA for her dedication and policy formation. In addition, Dr. Simpkins has a large media presence, including the Dr. Oz Show, The Today Show, Fox News, and frequent appearances on Wall Street Journal Live.

Growing up in Maplewood, New Jersey, Dr. Simpkins was greatly influenced by her father. Also a doctor, her father was known as the original “Marcus Welby.” Dr. Simpkins attended Bucknell University and graduated cum laude in 1980 with a degree in psychology.

Dr. Simpkins graduated from the Chicago Medical School in 1984 and passed the National Board of Medical Examiners certification exam one year later. She completed both her internship and residency in internal medicine at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx. In 1989 Dr. Simpkins received her certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Dr. Simpkins values being a mom, above all things, to her three children. She also enjoys running, hot yoga and spin throughout the week. Dr. Simpkins currently resides in New Jersey and in New York City with her husband.

Board Member

Dr. Tagore is a native Texan currently a licensed Emergency Medicine physician with a subspecialty in EMS & Disaster Medicine practicing in New Jersey. Prior to entering medical school Dr. Tagore stayed very busy obtaining 2 master’s degrees (MSHA & MBA), working in the Texas EMS system for almost 10 years, and running 2 businesses: a real estate investment company and a construction company. Through working in the Emergency Department and EMS system in Houston, Dr Tagore realized his true passion was medicine. He first began going on medical mission trips abroad in 2002. After attending several medical mission trips, he soon realized his focus in life was to further pursue his career in medicine to one day devote his purpose and life to medical mission work. After completing his fellowship in EMS & Disaster Medicine, Dr Tagore stayed in New Jersey as Associate Program Director for the EMS & Disaster Medicine Fellowship at Newark Beth Israel. Dr Tagore has found a passion in educating and training physicians. He trains physician pursuing a specialty in Emergency Medicine and EMS & Disaster Medicine. Currently, Dr Tagore is involved in medical mission work abroad and focuses in establishing EMS Systems in developing and 3rd world countries. He also is heavily involved in teaching physicians in developing and 3rd world countries point of care ultrasound (POCUS) to diagnose and treat patients who may not have the latest imaging technology readily available to them. In New Jersey Dr Tagore also works as Associate Medical Director for MONOC, New Jersey’s Hospital Service Corporation. Other affiliations include his role as a Flight Physician for multiple air ambulance agencies. Dr Tagore is also active in event medicine, working concerts, marathons, special events, etc. One of Dr Tagore’s professional interests is Tactical Medicine. He is a Tactical Physician for several local and federal police departments. He has specialized tactical training in K-9 Casualty Care for working service dogs in the SWAT Team as well. In his spare time he enjoys spending time and traveling with his loving family.

Board Member

Jeff Behm was the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for MONOC, the Monmouth-Ocean Hospital Services Corporation which is a non-profit hospital cooperative with acute care hospital members including RWJBarnabas Health, Hackensack Meridian Health, CentraState Healthcare System, and Deborah Heart and Lung.  MONOC operates the single largest MICU (paramedic) program in the State of New Jersey.  In addition to MICU services, MONOC provides Air Medical Critical Care Transport and Air Medical Emergency Scene response, as well as Ground Interfacility Specialty Care Transport.

Jeff has had leadership roles with the NJ Association of Paramedic Programs where he is currently the secretary. Jeff is a member of the NJ Mobile Intensive Care Unit Advisory Council, the NJ EMS Council, and he was the previous chair of the Specialty Care Transport sub-committee of the NJ EMS Council. Jeff has been a New Jersey paramedic for over 27 years and will become the President and CEO of MONOC on July 1, 2019.

Jeff is a servant leader with a passion for EMS and Population Health. He is responsible for the integration of EMS and medical transport across the 13 member hospitals and health systems of MONOC. In addition to his MBA, Jeff is a Fellow of the American College of Paramedic Executives, and a member of the Golden Key Honor Society and the Delta Mu Delta Honor Society in Business. Jeff was honored to serve Vice President Dick Cheney in August 2001 and July 2003 as part of the United States Secret Service Medical Protection Detail. Jeff also volunteers as a youth travel soccer coach.

Board Member

Founder and CEO of Donnelly Construction, Rod has established a culture of excellence within the company. He looks for ways to continuously improve our capabilities as well as seeking new opportunities to move Donnelly Construction forward. Over the years, Rod has expanded the company to serve clients in additional ways by creating Donnelly Energy and Donnelly Facilities. He plays a pivotal role in ensuring that all companies in the Donnelly family have the resources and guidance required to exceed client expectations by providing the best overall service in the industry. Rod has over 40 years’ experience in the General Contracting industry and has been a leading contractor servicing the New Jersey Office of Clean Energy’s Direct Install Program since its inception ten years ago.

Board Member

With over 20 years of executive experience, including almost a decade at American Express, Lissa Ferrell brings both a wealth of leadership experience and a unique skill set to the table. She is Vice President, Advisory, AML Compliance at Barclays Bank in New York City.  Lissa also founded LJF Consulting to pursue her passion of helping people and businesses thrive in a highly competitive environment. Her high-profile portfolio displays diversity of clients in multifaceted industries including hospitality, entertainment, health care, civic, sports, and education.

Board Member

With nearly twenty years’ experience in medical education and training, including digital medical publishing and business development, Joshua D Hartman is the Sr. Vice President, Public Safety & Cardiovascular Divisions at HMP. In his role at HMP, Josh manages the EMS World portfolio including the print, digital conference-based products including EMS World Expo and EMS World Americas. Prior to joining HMP, Josh served as Executive Director of the Center for Education at the Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF), where he co-founded the organization’s digital platform, TCTMD, a comprehensive, global, online educational resource in interventional cardiology. Josh also continues to work as a 911 and critical care paramedic – which he has done for more than twenty years – in both New York City with Hatzalah Volunteer Ambulance Corps and in northern New Jersey at Englewood Hospital & Medical Center. Josh is also an adjunct faculty member of the Paramedic Science Program at Bergen Community College located in Lyndhurst, NJ.

Board Member

August Leming is an internationally recognized expert in human motivation, behavior change, and performance psychology. He has been invited to speak at Yale University, Princeton University, and Williams College among many other respected academic institutions in the United States. August has also worked around the globe, consulting with Qatar Gas in Doha, Qatar, City Fitness Group Ltd., in Wellington, New Zealand and Philippines Magazine International in Manilla, Philippines.  Nationally, Dr. Leming has been blessed to serve Bristol Myers Squibb, Navigant, BNP Paribas and Independence Blue Cross.

Dr. Leming attended Columbia University, where he earned a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Philosophy. He completed his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at Seton Hall University, where he also served as an Adjunct Professor in Adolescent Psychology, Child Psychology and Statistics. August’s pioneering academic work earned him the American Psychological Association’s Outstanding Professional Development Award in 2003. He has been invited to speak at both the American Psychological Association and Eastern Psychological Association annual meetings.

Board Member

Al Ponenti is a 25year veteran with the New Jersey State Police and is the Deputy Superintendent of the Homeland Security Branch, commanding the Special Operations and Emergency Management Sections.  He currently sits as the State Deputy Director for the NJ Office of Emergency Management and is the co-chairperson of the State Emergency Response Commission.  His command is comprised of approximately 800 enlisted and civilian members overseeing capabilities in the realm of Aviation, Marine, Transportation Safety, SWAT, K9, and Explosive Detection. Within the Emergency Management Section Al’s command is responsible for the State Emergency Operations Center, Disaster Preparedness, Response, and Recovery operations, Communications, as well as the NJ State Urban Search and Rescue Team (NJ-TF1). He also sits as a member of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force Executive Board.

Prior to being appointed the Deputy Superintendent of Homeland Security he served as the NJ Task Force Commander and Director for the Office of the New Jersey Regional Operations Intelligence Center (NJ ROIC).  The Office of the NJ ROIC contains an all hazards, all crimes, all threats fusion center with a joint inter-agency intelligence enterprise comprised of 150 personnel from multiple federal, state, county, and municipal law enforcement and public safety agencies, charged with gathering, processing, analyzing, and disseminating information. In this capacity he also served as the co-chairperson for the Northeast Regional Intelligence Group responsible for coordinating information sharing among the 15 northeastern fusion centers.

Al served as the Bureau Chief maintaining the rank of Captain for the Executive Protection Bureau, responsible for the protective operations for Governor Chris Christie, the First Family, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and several other cabinet level appointees and visiting national and international dignitaries. The majority of Al’s career was spent with the Technical Emergency and Mission Specialist Unit (TEAMS) rising to the rank of Lieutenant, where he was responsible for statewide tactical missions, underwater search and recovery, counter assault elements for dignitary protection, high angle and aerial rescue, critical infrastructure protection, and counter terrorism operations.

Al earned a Master of Arts degree in Security Studies (Homeland Defense and Security) from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2008, a Master of Arts degree in Education from Seton Hall University in 1998 and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy Class 248 in 2012. He is also an adjunct professor at Monmouth University where he teaches in the graduate studies for homeland security education program.

Al joined the Travis Manion Foundation (TMF) team as a Character Does Matter (CDM) Ambassador in 2013 and continues to grow the CDM program among the ranks of the NJSP.  Al is also a strong supporter of the annual 911 Heroes Run and assists with TMF Survivor Services program.

Board Member

Jim Schatzle has been involved in the Emergency Medical Services field for over 40 Years, as an EMT, Firefighter, and Paramedic, interning at Johns Hopkins and Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, MD and was the first person in NJ to graduate with a degree in Emergency Health Services from the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC). In 1994, Jim established TEAM LIFE, INC., a training and AED sales company with headquarters in Colts Neck, NJ.  Along with a highly motivated team, TEAM LIFE has trained thousands of people in CPR, AED, and Advanced Classes. TEAM LIFE is one of the largest AED distributors in the country, implementing AED programs for Police, Fire, First Aid, Universities, Schools, Municipalities, Corporate, and Athletic programs.

Jim holds several faculty appointments including Seton Hall University School of Health and Medical Sciences and the Monmouth County Police Academy. Jim is involved in his hometown of Colts Neck and is a life member of the First Aid Squad, Fire Department, and former Mayor.  Jim’s greatest accomplishment is being Dad to his two Sons, Jimmy and Jack.

Jim’s goal is to empower people with knowledge and equipment to increase the chance of survival in times of emergencies – ANYONE CAN BE A HERO.

Board Member

Sim is the founder and CEO of ParaFlight EMS and Aviation, an air ambulance, organ transplant transport, and corporate air charter company based on the East coast.

Sim is a national registered paramedic who started his EMS career in March 1993. Since 2007, he has worked per diem as a 9-1-1 paramedic for MONOC, the largest provider of Advanced Life Support in NJ. He is the ALS coordinator for Hatzolah EMS in Ocean County NJ.  In 2012, he earned the Paramedic of the Year Award from the State of New Jersey. He is also a member of the Lakewood Township Water Rescue Team.    

Sim holds a Bachelors Degree in Talmudic Law and volunteers with numerous organizations, including Howell Township First Aid and Rescue, Hatzolah EMS in New York and New Jersey, Chai Lifeline, Camp Simcha for children with cancer, Camp Simcha Special for children with disabilities and special needs, ZAKA International Rescue and Recovery and  Misameach Spreading Smiles. He is a board member of Minyan Shelanu peer support center for teens and young adults and Magenu, an organization that works to protect children by promoting education in personal safety.

Board Member

For over 25 years Dr. Nancy Simpkins, a board certified internist and internal medicine expert in Livingston, NJ, has been involved in all aspects of internal medicine, to ensure a healthy lifestyle for all ages incorporating prevention into all aspects of health and wellness.

Known for her diagnostic ability, coupled with her wit, Dr. Simpkins has garnered a huge following and become a sought after speaker, guest and consultant. She is dedicated to raising awareness on a large variety of topics.

Dr. Simpkins has developed a thriving private internal medicine expert practice that is the core of her career.  As an adjunct to that, she also holds the position of medical consultant for the state of New Jersey. In this role, she works part time for the state under the federal agency of social security administration, and has received multiple commissioner citations from SSA for her dedication and policy formation. In addition, Dr. Simpkins has a large media presence, including the Dr. Oz Show, The Today Show, Fox News, and frequent appearances on Wall Street Journal Live.

Growing up in Maplewood, New Jersey, Dr. Simpkins was greatly influenced by her father. Also a doctor, her father was known as the original “Marcus Welby.” Dr. Simpkins attended Bucknell University and graduated cum laude in 1980 with a degree in psychology.

Dr. Simpkins graduated from the Chicago Medical School in 1984 and passed the National Board of Medical Examiners certification exam one year later. She completed both her internship and residency in internal medicine at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx. In 1989 Dr. Simpkins received her certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Dr. Simpkins values being a mom, above all things, to her three children. She also enjoys running, hot yoga and spin throughout the week. Dr. Simpkins currently resides in New Jersey and in New York City with her husband.

Board Member

Dr. Tagore is a native Texan currently a licensed Emergency Medicine physician with a subspecialty in EMS & Disaster Medicine practicing in New Jersey. Prior to entering medical school Dr. Tagore stayed very busy obtaining 2 master’s degrees (MSHA & MBA), working in the Texas EMS system for almost 10 years, and running 2 businesses: a real estate investment company and a construction company. Through working in the Emergency Department and EMS system in Houston, Dr Tagore realized his true passion was medicine. He first began going on medical mission trips abroad in 2002. After attending several medical mission trips, he soon realized his focus in life was to further pursue his career in medicine to one day devote his purpose and life to medical mission work. After completing his fellowship in EMS & Disaster Medicine, Dr Tagore stayed in New Jersey as Associate Program Director for the EMS & Disaster Medicine Fellowship at Newark Beth Israel. Dr Tagore has found a passion in educating and training physicians. He trains physician pursuing a specialty in Emergency Medicine and EMS & Disaster Medicine. Currently, Dr Tagore is involved in medical mission work abroad and focuses in establishing EMS Systems in developing and 3rd world countries. He also is heavily involved in teaching physicians in developing and 3rd world countries point of care ultrasound (POCUS) to diagnose and treat patients who may not have the latest imaging technology readily available to them. In New Jersey Dr Tagore also works as Associate Medical Director for MONOC, New Jersey’s Hospital Service Corporation. Other affiliations include his role as a Flight Physician for multiple air ambulance agencies. Dr Tagore is also active in event medicine, working concerts, marathons, special events, etc. One of Dr Tagore’s professional interests is Tactical Medicine. He is a Tactical Physician for several local and federal police departments. He has specialized tactical training in K-9 Casualty Care for working service dogs in the SWAT Team as well. In his spare time he enjoys spending time and traveling with his loving family.

Advisory Committee

In 1981, while in college, Joshua Beren recognized the need for a different style EMS system in Lakewood, NJ. He designed and promoted an EMS protocol of fully equipped, direct private vehicle response to bring dispatch to patient contact time down to two minutes or less. This radical change in response protocol successfully saved numerous lives. After extensive negotiations with the Township of Lakewood, he founded Hatzolah EMS of Lakewood, NJ. Hatzolah EMS is now the largest volunteer EMS system in the State of NJ currently boasting in excess of 125 EMT members, 18 Paramedic members and 12 ambulances. Hatzolah EMS is the only volunteer EMS organization in NJ to have a volunteer Paramedic Program.

Joshua is a nationally registered paramedic,  holds a Masters Degree in Talmudic and Rabbinic Law from Beth Medrash Govoha, The largest Rabbinical University in the world, is an ordained Rabbi and is a practicing synagogue rabbi at Cong. Bais Yoseph Halevi.

Joshua Volunteers as a paramedic for organizations, including, Hatzolah EMS, Chai Lifeline, Camp Simcha for children with cancer, Camp Simcha Special for children with disabilities and special needs.

Joshua sits on numerous advisory boards including: The Ocean Medical Center Bioethics committee, Bnos Yaakov School for girls Lakewood, NJ, Yeshiva Tifereth Torah school for boys, Lakewood, NJ, Renaissance on the Ocean Condominium Association, Long Branch, NJ.

Joshua is currently the CEO of NJB Equity Group, A Venture Capital Funding company and a Real Estate investment Group, with offices in Lakewood, NJ and Denver, CO.

Advisory Committee

Bruce Goodman is Of Counsel to Zeichner Ellman & Krause LLP, in New York City.  ZEK is a leading U.S. law firm headquartered in New York City with additional offices in New Jersey, Connecticut, Washington D.C. and a foreign attorney’s office in Tel Aviv.  Mr. Goodman’s practice involves representing large financial institutions, institutional lenders, and public and private companies in complex commercial litigation matters in both federal and state courts, arbitration and mediation.  Mr. Goodman is also a member of ZEK’s Israel practice. He advises Israeli clients on a wide variety of U.S. legal issues including corporate and securities matters, commercial litigation, banking regulations, labor and employment, and real estate, and Israeli businesses who have opened new operations in the U.S.

Advisory Committee

Bryce is a co-founder and Managing Partner of American Working Capital.  American Working Capital is a merchant bank focused on partnering with privately held middle market businesses providing strategic direct investments to facilitate ownership succession and growth plans.  The firm is owned and managed by its founding partners who have over 200 years of collective experience working with privately held businesses, their owners and management teams. Mr. May’s direct investment and capital markets experience spans the full range of business lifecycle needs, from growth capital financings, acquisitions and recapitalizations to divestitures and restructurings. In addition, Bryce has a broad base of industry experience including but not limited to transportation, logistics and business/healthcare services. Prior to co-founding AWC, Mr. May was a Member of The Yucaipa Companies, a multi-billion dollar investment management company focused on investing in the retail, distribution, logistics and related consumer sectors. Previously, Bryce was a Managing Director with Duff & Phelps, LLC in the firm’s investment banking practice where he advised both public and privately-held middle market companies in mergers and acquisitions and capital raising activities.   He received a B.S. from Indiana University, an M.S. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an M.B.A. from the Graduate School of Business at Columbia University.
​
Bryce currently serves on the boards of Concord Maritime Holdings LLC, Medway Air Ambulance LLC and Mr. Bults, Inc.

Advisory Committee

Harris Nydick is a founding partner and Managing Member of CFS Investment Advisory Services, L.L.C., a Registered Investment Advisor and has been advising institutions, retirement plans, high net worth individuals and families for over 34 years. He is a featured speaker at national industry conferences on 401(k) and Retirement Plan subjects and has been featured in television, radio, print and electronic media on a variety of financial topics.

Harris is the co-author of Common Financial Sense, a number one Amazon bestselling book about simple strategies for successful 401(k) and 403(b) retirement plan investing.

Harris currently serves on the Investment Committee of the American Liver Foundation. He is the Vice President of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater MetroWest NJ and has previously served on the New Jersey Attorney Ethics Committee and as an adjunct faculty member of Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Advisory Committee

Michael Vatch currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Senior Care EMS in New York, a position he has held for the past 13 years. In the past, Michael served as the Vice President of Operations for the Queens Center for Rehabilitation and Health Care, Administrator for Emergency Medicine at Brookdale Hospital and Chief of Operations for Metrocare EMS. Michael remains clinically active working as a Paramedic within the New York City 911 System. SeniorCare EMS is the largest commercial ambulance provider in New York State, with over 1000 employees and 175 Ambulances. Michael has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Touro College and a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in Health Care Leadership from New York University.

Advisory Committee

Dr. Abraham Warshaw is the Senior Vice President,  Chief and Medical Director of Access Services for Mount Sinai Health System and an Associate Professor in the Department of Population Health Science and Policy of the Icahn School of Medicine. In the Access role Dr. Warshaw oversees a portfolio of services including Physician Access, Transfer, Executive, International, Transportation, EMS and Episodic Telehealth. He is Board Certified in Emergency Medicine. Dr. Warshaw has held a number of leadership roles which includes serving as the Chief Clinical Officer at Newark Beth Medical Center, Chief Medical Officer and Emergency Medicine PC at North General Hospital and Associate ED Director at the Mount Sinai Hospital. He completed his Emergency Medicine Residency at Long Island Jewish Hospital after completing Medical School at SUNY-Downstate. Dr. Warshaw and his team are highly focused on ensuring high quality care, exceptional customer service and a world class patient experience when performing their roles within the Mount Sinai Health System.

Advisory Committee

Michael Wildes is the managing partner with the leading immigration law firm of Wildes and Weinberg, P.C. He is an adjunct professor at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York and teaches Business Immigration Law. He is a former federal prosecutor with the United States Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn (1989-1993) and author of Safe Haven in America: Battles to Open the Golden Door (Foreword by Alan Dershowitz). Having represented the United States government in immigration proceedings, Michael Wildes is a frequent participant on professional panels and commentator on network television. He has testified on Capitol Hill in connection with anti-terrorism legislation and is internationally renowned for his successful representation of distinguished individuals and corporate clients.\

Mr. Wildes’ boutique law firm specializes exclusively in the practice of U.S. immigration and nationality law. It was established in 1960 by his father Leon Wildes whose best known accomplishment was his successful representation of John Lennon in his widely publicized deportation proceedings, the circumstances of which have inspired several films and documentaries.

More than fifty years since its inception, the firm continues to serve a distinguished domestic and international clientele and covers all areas of U.S. immigration law. Some of Michael Wildes recent clients include First Lady Melania Trump, famed artists Sarah Brightman, Lionel Richie, Boy George, many of the former Miss Universes’ as well as soccer icon Pele, master Chef Jean-Georges, and many other talented artists.

Michael Wildes is also the mayor of Englewood, New Jersey, where he resides.

MSHVFAS services all 911 emergency medical calls for Millburn township (Millburn and Short Hills) which amounts to ~1,500 calls per year. As President, Mr. Roth is charged in leading the 70+ diverse volunteers with different backgrounds, who all share two common characteristics – they are all certified EMTs and they all have a passion to help others.

Mr. Roth has been a New Jersey Certified EMT and a regular riding member of MSHVFAS since 1994, volunteering a minimum of 12 hours per week of active riding.

He is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, with a degree in business. Previously, Mr. Roth ran a chain of retail stores until they were sold in 1993. With an abundance of free time, he recognized the need to do community work as well as challenge himself and trained and joined the first aid squad based in his hometown, Millburn, NJ. In 1994 Mr. Roth also began an asset-based lending firm, Lake Equipment Leasing, Inc. which he now runs with his son and 12 employees in Millburn, NJ. Mr. Roth is a resident of NJ and Florida.

Advisory Committee

In 1981, while in college, Joshua Beren recognized the need for a different style EMS system in Lakewood, NJ. He designed and promoted an EMS protocol of fully equipped, direct private vehicle response to bring dispatch to patient contact time down to two minutes or less. This radical change in response protocol successfully saved numerous lives. After extensive negotiations with the Township of Lakewood, he founded Hatzolah EMS of Lakewood, NJ. Hatzolah EMS is now the largest volunteer EMS system in the State of NJ currently boasting in excess of 125 EMT members, 18 Paramedic members and 12 ambulances. Hatzolah EMS is the only volunteer EMS organization in NJ to have a volunteer Paramedic Program.

Joshua is a nationally registered paramedic,  holds a Masters Degree in Talmudic and Rabbinic Law from Beth Medrash Govoha, The largest Rabbinical University in the world, is an ordained Rabbi and is a practicing synagogue rabbi at Cong. Bais Yoseph Halevi.

Joshua Volunteers as a paramedic for organizations, including, Hatzolah EMS, Chai Lifeline, Camp Simcha for children with cancer, Camp Simcha Special for children with disabilities and special needs.

Joshua sits on numerous advisory boards including: The Ocean Medical Center Bioethics committee, Bnos Yaakov School for girls Lakewood, NJ, Yeshiva Tifereth Torah school for boys, Lakewood, NJ, Renaissance on the Ocean Condominium Association, Long Branch, NJ.

Joshua is currently the CEO of NJB Equity Group, A Venture Capital Funding company and a Real Estate investment Group, with offices in Lakewood, NJ and Denver, CO.

Advisory Committee

Bruce Goodman is Of Counsel to Zeichner Ellman & Krause LLP, in New York City.  ZEK is a leading U.S. law firm headquartered in New York City with additional offices in New Jersey, Connecticut, Washington D.C. and a foreign attorney’s office in Tel Aviv.  Mr. Goodman’s practice involves representing large financial institutions, institutional lenders, and public and private companies in complex commercial litigation matters in both federal and state courts, arbitration and mediation.  Mr. Goodman is also a member of ZEK’s Israel practice. He advises Israeli clients on a wide variety of U.S. legal issues including corporate and securities matters, commercial litigation, banking regulations, labor and employment, and real estate, and Israeli businesses who have opened new operations in the U.S.

Advisory Committee

Bryce is a co-founder and Managing Partner of American Working Capital.  American Working Capital is a merchant bank focused on partnering with privately held middle market businesses providing strategic direct investments to facilitate ownership succession and growth plans.  The firm is owned and managed by its founding partners who have over 200 years of collective experience working with privately held businesses, their owners and management teams. Mr. May’s direct investment and capital markets experience spans the full range of business lifecycle needs, from growth capital financings, acquisitions and recapitalizations to divestitures and restructurings. In addition, Bryce has a broad base of industry experience including but not limited to transportation, logistics and business/healthcare services. Prior to co-founding AWC, Mr. May was a Member of The Yucaipa Companies, a multi-billion dollar investment management company focused on investing in the retail, distribution, logistics and related consumer sectors. Previously, Bryce was a Managing Director with Duff & Phelps, LLC in the firm’s investment banking practice where he advised both public and privately-held middle market companies in mergers and acquisitions and capital raising activities.   He received a B.S. from Indiana University, an M.S. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an M.B.A. from the Graduate School of Business at Columbia University.
​
Bryce currently serves on the boards of Concord Maritime Holdings LLC, Medway Air Ambulance LLC and Mr. Bults, Inc.

Advisory Committee

Harris Nydick is a founding partner and Managing Member of CFS Investment Advisory Services, L.L.C., a Registered Investment Advisor and has been advising institutions, retirement plans, high net worth individuals and families for over 34 years. He is a featured speaker at national industry conferences on 401(k) and Retirement Plan subjects and has been featured in television, radio, print and electronic media on a variety of financial topics.

Harris is the co-author of Common Financial Sense, a number one Amazon bestselling book about simple strategies for successful 401(k) and 403(b) retirement plan investing.

Harris currently serves on the Investment Committee of the American Liver Foundation. He is the Vice President of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater MetroWest NJ and has previously served on the New Jersey Attorney Ethics Committee and as an adjunct faculty member of Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Advisory Committee

Michael Vatch currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Senior Care EMS in New York, a position he has held for the past 13 years. In the past, Michael served as the Vice President of Operations for the Queens Center for Rehabilitation and Health Care, Administrator for Emergency Medicine at Brookdale Hospital and Chief of Operations for Metrocare EMS. Michael remains clinically active working as a Paramedic within the New York City 911 System. SeniorCare EMS is the largest commercial ambulance provider in New York State, with over 1000 employees and 175 Ambulances. Michael has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Touro College and a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in Health Care Leadership from New York University.

Advisory Committee

Dr. Abraham Warshaw is the Senior Vice President,  Chief and Medical Director of Access Services for Mount Sinai Health System and an Associate Professor in the Department of Population Health Science and Policy of the Icahn School of Medicine. In the Access role Dr. Warshaw oversees a portfolio of services including Physician Access, Transfer, Executive, International, Transportation, EMS and Episodic Telehealth. He is Board Certified in Emergency Medicine. Dr. Warshaw has held a number of leadership roles which includes serving as the Chief Clinical Officer at Newark Beth Medical Center, Chief Medical Officer and Emergency Medicine PC at North General Hospital and Associate ED Director at the Mount Sinai Hospital. He completed his Emergency Medicine Residency at Long Island Jewish Hospital after completing Medical School at SUNY-Downstate. Dr. Warshaw and his team are highly focused on ensuring high quality care, exceptional customer service and a world class patient experience when performing their roles within the Mount Sinai Health System.

Advisory Committee

Michael Wildes is the managing partner with the leading immigration law firm of Wildes and Weinberg, P.C. He is an adjunct professor at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York and teaches Business Immigration Law. He is a former federal prosecutor with the United States Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn (1989-1993) and author of Safe Haven in America: Battles to Open the Golden Door (Foreword by Alan Dershowitz). Having represented the United States government in immigration proceedings, Michael Wildes is a frequent participant on professional panels and commentator on network television. He has testified on Capitol Hill in connection with anti-terrorism legislation and is internationally renowned for his successful representation of distinguished individuals and corporate clients.\

Mr. Wildes’ boutique law firm specializes exclusively in the practice of U.S. immigration and nationality law. It was established in 1960 by his father Leon Wildes whose best known accomplishment was his successful representation of John Lennon in his widely publicized deportation proceedings, the circumstances of which have inspired several films and documentaries.

More than fifty years since its inception, the firm continues to serve a distinguished domestic and international clientele and covers all areas of U.S. immigration law. Some of Michael Wildes recent clients include First Lady Melania Trump, famed artists Sarah Brightman, Lionel Richie, Boy George, many of the former Miss Universes’ as well as soccer icon Pele, master Chef Jean-Georges, and many other talented artists.

Michael Wildes is also the mayor of Englewood, New Jersey, where he resides.

H. Steven Roth is President of Millburn Short Hills Volunteer First Aid Squad (MSHVFAS) which is staffed 100% by dedicated volunteers, funded solely by private donations and never charges for any services rendered. Mr. Roth has been President for 14 of the last 21 years and has led the Squad with the vision of remaining an autonomous organization without charging its patients. 

 

MSHVFAS services all 911 emergency medical calls for Millburn township (Millburn and Short Hills) which amounts to ~1,500 calls per year. As President, Mr. Roth is charged in leading the 70+ diverse volunteers with different backgrounds, who all share two common characteristics – they are all certified EMTs and they all have a passion to help others.

 

Mr. Roth has been a New Jersey Certified EMT and a regular riding member of MSHVFAS since 1994, volunteering a minimum of 12 hours per week of active riding. 

 

He is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, with a degree in business. Previously, Mr. Roth ran a chain of retail stores until they were sold in 1993. With an abundance of free time, he recognized the need to do community work as well as challenge himself and trained and joined the first aid squad based in his hometown, Millburn, NJ. In 1994 Mr. Roth also began an asset-based lending firm, Lake Equipment Leasing, Inc. which he now runs with his son and 12 employees in Millburn, NJ. Mr. Roth is a resident of NJ and Florida.