Our Story

Our Mission

Our Leadership

The LifeNet Story

30 years ago, two Texarkana hospitals, CHRISTUS St. Michael and Wadley Regional Medical center recognized the strength in working together to serve the out-of-hospital patient care needs of the community. In 1993, the hospitals merged their ground and air ambulance programs into one company and called the new business LifeNet, Inc.

Today, nearly 350,000 people depend on LifeNet for ground ambulance service across Northeast Texas, Southwest Arkansas, and portions of Oklahoma. LifeNet now operates as an independent, non-profit company incorporated in the state of Arkansas and is overseen by a 15-member board of directors.

Started as Air Life by CHRISTUS St. Michael hospital in 1983, the LifeNet Air medical program is the oldest operating helicopter EMS program in the state of Arkansas. Through a partnership with Air Methods, LifeNet has helicopters at both the Texarkana, Hot Springs and Daingerfield Texas. The three bases have flown more than 15,000 patients and provide service throughout three states. LifeNet also operates a fixed wing ambulance out of Texarkana.

While LifeNet is known for putting the patient first and providing quality EMS service, there’s more.

LifeNet is also committed to improving education in the communities we serve. Through its generous tuition reimbursement program, LifeNet has helped EMTs become paramedics, paramedics become nurses, and other staff members to become teachers, business professionals, and even attorneys.

Recognizing it is important for the citizens who witness an emergency happen to be trained in how to respond until help arrives, LifeNet also provides free Stroke Awareness Education Programs, Stop the Bleed Training Classes, and 9-1-1 training for all age groups. LifeNet also works to improve sudden cardiac arrest survival rates by offering free Bystander CPR and AED Use classes and an AED Matching Grant program for non-profits.

2023 marked 30 years of patient care, employee enrichment and lives that have been saved. We are celebrating the employees that have been with LifeNet since the hospital days, and the new employees and children that now work on our trucks. LifeNet is celebrating the past, but looking towards the future as we continue to better ourselves as a company, an EMS provider, but ultimately as healthcare providers, serving our communities each day.

CAAS-Accredited

LifeNet is in the one percent of ground ambulance services nationally to be CASS accredited. In 2019, LifeNet earned its accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS) for the fifth time since first becoming accredited in 2000. To receive accreditation renewal, LifeNet had to meet over 100 standards set by CAAS covering structure, interagency relations, management, finance, community relations and public affairs, human resources, clinical standards, safety and risk management, equipment and facilities, and communication centers.

After reviewing a comprehensive application that covered LifeNet’s policies, procedures, and protocols, CAAS inspectors visited LifeNet’s three divisions in 2021 and conducted a detailed two-day inspection. The visit included checking facilities, reviewing procedures and protocols, and interviewing personnel. This was the seventh time since 2000 that inspectors have done in-depth, on-site reviews of LifeNet Inc.. The next review will happen in 2024.

While accreditation is not required to run a ground ambulance service, LifeNet is committed to excellence and putting the patient first. By undergoing recertification every three years, LifeNet ensures the company is providing the best EMS service possible in each service area.

OUR MISSION

Connecting our community to the right care, in the right place, at the right time. We put people first.

OUR VALUES

Service: Serve others as if they were family.

Teamwork: We act as one.

Respect: Respect ourselves and others.

Integrity: Always do the right thing.

Compassion: Caring for all

OUR VISION

Be an exceptional healthcare resource for a safer community.

Over time, our vision must evolve to reflect our growing capabilities
and the changing health care industry of which we are a part.

Our vision is to be the intuitive choice for customers seeking experts to provide high quality, affordable, financially sound, and innovative ambulance service.

Our Leadership

Corporate

Alyssa Haley
Chief Executive Officer
About Alyssa
Alyssa Haley

Alyssa Haley

Chief Executive Officer

Originally born in Texas, Alyssa grew up in the deep South between Alabama and Oklahoma and cherishes her southern roots. Since 2001, Alyssa has called Texarkana home. Joining LifeNet in November 2021 as the Chief Financial Officer, Alyssa now serves as the Chief Executive Officer. Her educational journey includes graduating from Texarkana College, Texas A&M University-Texarkana, and Harvard Business School. These experiences have significantly contributed to her successful career in higher education and healthcare. Throughout her career, Alyssa has been fortunate to have supervisors and colleagues who served as mentors and change agents, allowing her the freedom to be creative and foster impactful environments. This growth in experience, responsibilities, and accomplishments has prepared her well for the CEO position at LifeNet.

As CEO, Alyssa prioritizes taking care of the employees who, in turn, take care of the patients, and collaborating with community stakeholders to meet the needs of the cities and counties they serve. Ensuring that strategies align with the company’s mission, vision, core values, and financial sustainability is also a key responsibility. In her free time, Alyssa enjoys watching sports, reading, cooking from scratch, refinishing furniture, spending time outdoors, and being with her kids and grandkids. A fun fact about Alyssa is that she was born during an ice storm—in May—in southern Texas.

Brett Peine
Chief Operating Officer
About Brett
Brett Peine

Brett Peine

Chief Operating Officer

Growing up in southeast Kansas, Brett has had a diverse and dedicated career in emergency services. Beginning as a junior volunteer firefighter, Brett became a certified EMT on his 18th birthday and worked as an EMT on weekends through his senior year of high school. After a seven-year stint in law enforcement, starting on his 21st birthday, Brett returned to EMS. Over the years, he has served in various roles including EMT, paramedic, Captain, educational program director, and service director. Brett joined the Air National Guard in 2005 and currently serve as the Senior Enlisted Leader of the 189th Medical Group. Brett has been with LifeNet for 2 years and 9 months, where he now holds the position of Chief Operating Officer.

In his current role, Brett translates the company’s strategic vision and mission into operational direction, providing overall direction to ground EMS, air EMS, communications, and recruiting. Outside of work, Brett loves spending time outdoors, enjoying activities such as kayaking, camping, and backpacking. He also has a passion for cooking and woodworking, but his greatest joy comes from spending time with his children. A fun fact is that he loves going all out with Halloween decorations.

Amy Coleman
Chief Financial Officer
About Amy
Amy Coleman

Amy Coleman

Chief Financial Officer

Originally from Texarkana, Amy spent her childhood moving around due to her father’s work, living in San Antonio, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Philadelphia before returning to Texarkana in sixth grade. After attending Baylor University in Waco, TX, she returned to Texarkana, where she has lived ever since. Amy joined LifeNet in May 2024 as the Chief Financial Officer, overseeing billing, budgeting, and all financial aspects of the company.

With a BBA in Accounting from Baylor University and an MBA from Texas A&M at Texarkana, Amy has a wealth of experience, including 30 years at a local business where she rose to the position of controller. Amy then served as the CFO at Southwest AR Counseling & Mental Health Center, a non-profit community mental health center, for four years. This role ignited her passion for non-profits, recognizing the crucial impact of finance and accounting in ensuring organizational viability. In her free time, Amy enjoys spending time in church and studying the Word of God, supporting her daughter Rebecca in her varsity tennis matches, attending estate sales, and traveling, especially to the beach and lake.

Jim Gaines
General Counsel
About Jim
Jim Gaines

Jim Gaines

General Counsel

Jim has been with LifeNet since December 2021 and has a rich history in EMS, beginning his service in Alaska in 1988. Over the years, he has worked in some of the most remote areas of Alaska, as well as in Texas, Arkansas, New Mexico, and Idaho, gaining extensive experience in diverse and challenging environments. After finishing law school in 2010, Jim transitioned to a career in civil litigation, later returning to the healthcare field to focus on compliance and risk management. This path eventually led Jim to his current role as General Counsel for LifeNet, where he leverages his unique combination of legal expertise and EMS experience.

In his spare time, Jim enjoys life on a small ranch in Genoa, where him and his wife raise American Mustangs. This passion for these remarkable horses is a testament to his dedication to both professional and personal pursuits, blending a love for the outdoors with a commitment to excellence in all aspects of life.

Brandi Branch
Director of Human Resources
About Brandi
Brandi Branch

Brandi Branch

Director of Human Resources

Bradi graduated from Texas A&M-Texarkana in 2009 and hails from Atlanta, TX. She joined LifeNet in 2011, bringing with her 5 years of experience in payroll and accounts payable for a local construction company. Throughout her career at LifeNet, she has held various roles, including accounts payable and purchasing, payroll and worker’s compensation, HR Manager, and now Director of Human Resources.

As the Director of Human Resources, Brandi oversees the HR department, focusing on benefits, compensation, employee relations, worker’s compensation injuries, and employment reporting.

In her free time, Brandi enjoys hiking, kayaking, traveling, and tending to her farm animals. A fun fact about her is she is on a mission to visit every National Park, among many other adventures on her extensive bucket list!

Support Services

Jason Gartner
Director of Revenue Cycle
About Jason
Jason Gartner

Jason Gartner

Director of Revenue Cycle

Jason Gartner was born and raised in Montana, where he began his EMS career in 1990 as an EMT, receiving his paramedic license in 1991. By 1994, he was serving as a flight medic for St. Vincent Hospital and the Operations Manager for American Medical Response (AMR) in two Montana communities.

Currently, Jason serves as the Director of Revenue Cycle Management. In this role, he directs and oversees all policies, objectives, and initiatives related to revenue cycle activities. He is responsible for managing billing and coding procedures, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations. Additionally, Jason supervises the revenue cycle team, interacts with insurance organizations and patients, provides oversight of accounts, ensures timely and accurate billing and collections, and addresses any issues related to accounts receivable.

In his free time, Jason enjoys strategy-based video games and small homestead projects like small animal husbandry. A fun fact about Jason is that he has a talking African Grey Parrot.

Dave Dutton
Director of Communications
About Dave
Dave Dutton

Dave Dutton

Director of Communications

Born in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, Dave has a deep connection to Texarkana, having lived there longer than any other place. After graduating from high school in De Queen, Arkansas, Dave started his journey in emergency medical services. In 1991, he began working for St. Michael EMS in Texarkana as an EMT on the BLS transfer unit. Shortly thereafter, he moved to the Prescott, Arkansas base as an EMT on a 9-1-1 ambulance while starting the Paramedic program at Texarkana College. Dave became the Office Coordinator for the Prescott Base, and after obtaining the Paramedic Certification in 1992, he returned to working on an ambulance crew in Prescott. When LifeNet was established in October 1993, Dave transitioned back to Texarkana and held various roles including Field Medic, Field Training Officer, and Ground Operations Manager, also cross-training as a Flight Medic and System Status Controller. In 2005, Dave became LifeNet’s Communications Center Manager for the Texarkana center and, in 2022, he advanced to the role of Director of Communications.

As the Director of Communications, Dave oversees the overall direction and coordination of both of LifeNet’s Communication Centers. In his free time, Dave enjoys working on his yard, maintaining and improving his house, vehicles, and travel trailer, as well as camping and traveling. A fun fact about Dave is that before transitioning to a career in EMS, he worked as an internal auditor at a locally owned bank in De Queen, Arkansas.

David Wilder
Director of Information Systems
About David
David Wilder

David Wilder

Director of Information Systems

Born and raised in Texarkana, TX, David is the middle child of four siblings. With a lifelong interest in computers that began in 1993 with their first Packard Bell PC, David has developed a deep expertise in information technology. He started his IT career in 1997 at Office Source, a local office supply store, and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Management Information Systems in 2005. David joined LifeNet in 2008 as a software developer and has since advanced to the roles of IT Specialist, IT Manager, and now Director of Information Systems.

As Director of Information Systems at LifeNet, David oversees IT hardware and software procurement and implementation, designs highly available systems for maximum uptime, ensures network security and backup, and manages budgeting. He is also responsible for software and database development and maintenance. In his free time, David enjoys spending quality time with his wife and two kids, learning new handyman skills around the house, and maintaining and repairing his own vehicles.

Klay Hall
Academy Coordinator
About Klay
Klay Hall

Klay Hall

Academy Coordinator

Klay grew up and attended school in central Arkansas, earning his college degrees in Leadership and Public Administration from colleges outside the state. After joining the fire service, Klay was introduced to EMS, where he has served for 34 years.

Klay has been with LifeNet for six years and currently holds the position of Academy Coordinator. His career in emergency services includes 20 years as an officer in the fire service in various roles. After obtaining their paramedic license, he transitioned to EMS education, a field in which they have found his calling As Academy Coordinator, Klay is responsible for coordinating and teaching EMT and Paramedic courses. In his free time, Klay enjoys outdoor activities, spending time with his children and grandchildren, and indulging in reading and learning. A fun fact about Klay is that he was once lost in the Rocky Mountains for almost 48 hours at 13,000 feet of elevation and nearly died.

Jonathan Strother
Regional Communications Manager, Arkansas Division
About Jonathan
Jonathan Strother

Jonathan Strother

Regional Communications Manager, Arkansas Division

Jonathan was born and raised in the Bismarck area and still lives there today with his wife and son. He began his career in EMS by joining the volunteer fire department in Bismarck and later attended EMT school. During his ride-alongs with LifeNet, he enjoyed the experience so much that he applied to become a full-time EMT after completing his training.

Jonathan has been with LifeNet for 17 years and is currently the Regional Communications Manager for the Arkansas division. He started as an EMT, then moved into the Communications Center as a dispatcher. Over time, he became a Communications Training Officer (CTO) for dispatch, then the dispatch supervisor, and eventually the Regional Communications Manager. His primary responsibilities include overseeing the Communications Center’s daily functions and the needs of the dispatchers.

In his free time, Jonathan enjoys camping, traveling, and watching football. A fun fact about him is that he loves to play any kind of board game or card game.

Lauren Hill
Regional Communications Manager, Texas and Oklahoma Division
About Lauren
Lauren Hill

Lauren Hill

Regional Communications Manager, Texas and Oklahoma Division

Originally from Texarkana, Arkansas, Lauren graduated from Arkansas High School and served in the Army for five years. She has been with LifeNet since 2019, bringing extensive experience in dispatching that began in 2016 at the University of Houston and continued at Bistate before joining LifeNet. Lauren became a Communications Training Officer (CTO) at LifeNet in 2020, was promoted to Communications Supervisor in July 2021, and advanced to Communications Manager in May 2022.

In her role as Communications Manager, Lauren oversees the efficient operation of emergency dispatch services, ensuring staff are well-trained, policies are adhered to, and technology is properly maintained. She coordinates cooperation with surrounding dispatch centers and other agencies, maintaining high standards of service, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement in emergency response operations. In her free time, Lauren enjoys reading, crafting, and kayaking. A fun fact about Lauren is that she has studied American Sign Language in college and are still striving to become fluent.

Carington Bright
Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator
About Carington
Carington Bright

Carington Bright

Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator

Carington Bright was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and spent five years living in Singapore. Before joining LifeNet EMS, she served as the marketing director and general manager of a startup coffee shop. She is now the Marketing and PR Coordinator at LifeNet EMS. Carington graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University and has lived in Texarkana for almost three years.

In her role, Carington oversees marketing, branding, social media, and events for LifeNet. She frequently travels across Texas and Arkansas, making school visits and meeting with community leaders to promote LifeNet’s services.

In her free time, Carington enjoys spending time with her husband, participating in church events, and going to the gym.

Air Division

Adam Oliver
Director of Integrated Health Services
About Adam
Adam Oliver

Adam Oliver

Director of Integrated Health Services

Adam is from Blanchard, Louisiana which is just north of Shreveport. He is a paramedic and a nurse and most of his paramedic career has been around hospital-based EMS and the air medical industry. Adam’s nursing experience is rooted in the intensive care and emergency room areas. He has 12 years of flight experience between two programs and has spent time in management and quality improvement roles while in his nursing, EMS, and air medical positions.

Adam has been at LifeNet as the Director of Integrated Health since May 2024. Under the title of Director of Integrated Health, he oversees the Air Division and Community Health Paramedicine Programs.

During his free time, he loves to be outdoors where he enjoys fishing, hunting, golf, and hiking. Adam’s has been married to his wife, Jessie, for 14 years and together they have two very active kids Liam 8, and Andie 3. A fun fact about Adam is that he is the Mayor of Gilliam, Louisiana a small farming village where he calls home.

Carmen House
Air Clinical Coordinator
About Carmen
Carmen House

Carmen House

Air Clinical Coordinator

Carmen House is a dedicated wife, mom, and nurse with a passion for patient care and aviation. Married to William House, a Flight Nurse for LifeNet Air 4, Carmen is the proud mother of two beautiful daughters, Abigayle and Harper. Born and raised in Redwater, TX, she has lived throughout the ArkLaTex area but has settled back in Redwater in recent years.

Carmen has been with LifeNet for about two and a half years. Her nursing career began at Wadley Regional Medical Center in the ICU and ER, where she built a strong foundation in nursing. Driven by a desire to become a Flight Nurse, Carmen joined LifeNet Air when a position became available at the new Fixed Wing base. She has experience working on both Rotor and Fixed Wing aircraft and now serves as the Clinical Manager for LifeNet Air. In this role, Carmen is responsible for the clinical oversight of LNA clinicians, including their clinical decision-making, documentation, training, and education.

In her spare time, Carmen enjoys spending quality time with her family, cooking, fishing, golfing, and shooting. A fun fact about Carmen is that while she grew up playing a multitude of instruments, she cannot read music.

Michael Harper
Base Manager, Daingerfield
About Michael
Michael Harper

Michael Harper

Base Manager, Daingerfield

Michael is a dedicated professional from Redwater Texas. He is married to Tiffany Harper, and together they are raising eight children ranging from 1 to 32 years old. His household is lively with five of the kids living at home, including two high schoolers, two elementary students, and a one-year-old daughter.

An Army veteran and former Chinook mechanic, Michael transitioned into emergency medical services in 2009, joining LifeNet as an EMT. Since then, he has earned an Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Technology and an Associate Degree in Nursing. With over five years of teaching experience in EMS, from first responder to paramedic levels at TC, Michael has a deep commitment to education and patient care.

In 2016, Michael expanded his role at LifeNet as a PRN flight medic and is now the base manager for LNA 4 in Daingerfield. Leveraging dual licensing, he operates as both a flight medic and flight nurse, adapting to the needs of his team and patients.

Jason Castleberry
Base Manager, Hot Springs
About Jason
Jason Castleberry

Jason Castleberry

Base Manager, Hot Springs

Born and raised in Hot Springs, AR, Jason Castleberry is a proud graduate of Lakeside High School and pursued higher education at Henderson State University, where he attended both college and paramedic school. Jason began his EMS career in Pine Bluff, AR, and was actively involved with the two existing ambulance services in Hot Springs before LifeNet’s takeover in 2005.

Joining LifeNet’s Air Division around 2006, Jason has been a key player ever since. He completed nursing school in 2010 and furthered his education with a Bachelor’s in EMS from UAMS. Currently, Jason serves as the Base Manager for LifeNet Air 2 in Hot Springs and LifeNet Air 3 in Texarkana.

When he’s not managing bases, Jason finds excitement and relaxation on the local dirt tracks, where he drives race cars. It’s his way of relieving stress and enjoying quality time with his family. Jason’s dedication to EMS and his vibrant personal interests reflect his commitment to both professional excellence and a balanced life.

Arkansas Division

Kelly McCauley
Arkansas Area Director
About Kelly
Kelly McCauley

Kelly McCauley

Arkansas Area Director

Kelly is currently serving as acting Area Director for LifeNet’s operations in the state of Arkansas, joining that team on July 1, 2024. Prior to that, he served as LifeNet’s Area Director for Oklahoma with operations in the western two-thirds of Payne County. He moved to Payne County in late 2010 working with colleagues and key stakeholders to develop the infrastructure for LifeNet’s service to those communities which began on May 1st, 2011. Kelly said. “It was one of the greatest honors of my life to be involved in building a ground-up EMS system that is considered by many to be exemplary of a patient and employee-focused prehospital care system.” Kelly first joined LifeNet in late 2002 serving from LifeNet’s headquarters in Texarkana as corporate Education Manager and then Director of Operations.

Kelly enjoys developing leaders and finding opportunities for others to create rewarding career paths in prehospital medicine. The EMS industry has been his passion and employment over his entire adult life. When not at work, Kelly enjoys outdoor activities of all kinds including, golf, cycling, hiking, fishing, and various shooting sports. His degree is in biology and, although humans are his favorite subject, he is fascinated by flora and fauna of all types. Kelly says, “You must check out the myxomycetes, also known as slime molds. They have confounded classification efforts in the scientific world for centuries and appear truly alien among life on our planet.”

Ronnie Weaver
Director of Operations
About Ronnie
Ronnie Weaver

Ronnie Weaver

Director of Operations

Ronnie Weaver brings the skills, knowledge, and experience gained working for over 40 years in the EMS industry. As the Director of Operations, he is primarily responsible for the overall direction and coordination, of our Arkansas Division services and the overall efficiency and quality of our patient care and transport service delivery. He reports directly to the Area manager.

Ronnie began his career in Hot Springs, Arkansas in 1980 and quickly rose in the ranks to become a paramedic and a field supervisor. He was promoted to Assistant Director of Operations for St. Joseph’s LifeMobile EMS in 1987 and then to Director of Operations in 1999. He served eight years in the US Army as a Flight Medic with the 374th Medical detachment unit. He worked with St. Joseph’s LifeMobile EMS until the transition with LifeNet, Inc. in 2005. He was promoted to Director of Operations, Hot Springs Village Division, in 2009 and LifeNet Air 2 in 2013, Director of Operations Arkansas Division in 2021.

Ronnie has 5 adult children and 6 grandchildren. Hobbies include fishing and hunting and spending time with family.

Daniel Stramp
QI/Education Manager
About Daniel
Daniel Stramp

Daniel Stramp

QI/Education Manager

Daniel Stramp has lived in Hot Springs for practically his entire life but was born in Iowa City, Iowa. After graduating from Hot Springs High School, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps in October 1995 during Desert Storm, serving for four years before deciding to pursue a career as a paramedic. He entered EMS and was hired at Lifemobile in 2000 as an EMT, becoming a paramedic in 2002. Daniel also joined the Piney Volunteer Fire Department, where he served for several years and eventually became their training officer. Additionally, he served as the Garland County Chief Deputy Coroner for six years.

Daniel has been with LifeNet for over 15 years and in EMS for 24 years. He has served as the Clinical Manager for the Arkansas Division since 2015. In this role, he is responsible for providing education for the staff, looking for ways to improve patient care, training, and education, investigating clinical issues, and providing additional training as needed. He also communicates with the Medical Director regarding protocols and clinical issues, reviews ePCRs to ensure good patient care, orients new hires, and attends numerous committee meetings with hospitals.

Tim Kling
Senior Operations Manager
About Tim
Tim Kling

Tim Kling

Senior Operations Manager

Tim began his EMS career in 1985 as a First Responder, attending EMT training at UAMS that same year, followed by Paramedic school at East Arkansas Community College in 1989. For 18 years, he served as a Paramedic/Firefighter with the Benton Fire Department, where he achieved the rank of Captain before transitioning to new opportunities. During his tenure, Tim also gained experience working for various EMS providers, emergency departments, and a hazardous materials company. In addition, Tim earned his EMS Instructor credentials and has taught numerous fire and EMS-related courses. He also spent four years as a flight medic, expanding his expertise in critical care. Tim has been with LifeNet for 10 years now, where he has continued to grow both as a provider and in management. It’s been a rewarding experience for Tim and he is thankful for the path that has led him to be Senior Operations Manager.

In his spare time, Tim enjoys the outdoors, whether it’s hunting, camping, or boating. He also loves spending time with family and friends, traveling, and cheering on the Razorbacks. GO HOGS!

Oklahoma Division

Zach Harris
Oklahoma Area Director
About Zach
Zach Harris

Zach Harris

Oklahoma Area Director

Zach Harris is originally from Perkins, Oklahoma, and currently resides in Tryon, Oklahoma. He obtained his EMT license with the initial goal of becoming a fireman. After volunteering at Carney Volunteer Fire Department and working at Wellston EMS, Zach discovered his true passion for helping people through ambulance services and decided to pursue a career in EMS.

Zach has been with LifeNet for 13 years since the organization expanded to Payne County. He is now the Director of Operations for LifeNet Payne County, responsible for overseeing daily operations that are not clinically related. Zach manages roughly 60 employees, focusing on providing the best service possible. His duties include hiring, promoting employee happiness, customer service, maintaining relationships, budget management, and inventory control.

In his spare time, Zach loves spending time with his family, hunting, fishing, playing video games, fantasy football, and watching sports.

Nicole Hart
QI/Education Manager
About Nicole
Nicole Hart

Nicole Hart

QI/Education Manager

Nicole Hart is originally from Mannford, OK, where she grew up in a small neighborhood with her two brothers. As a family, she volunteered at Keystone Volunteer Fire for several years, which sparked her passion for EMS after experiencing and handling severe illnesses and injuries.

Nicole has been with LifeNet for 4.5 years and currently serves as the Clinical Services Manager. She began her EMS career at a small BLS service that covered a large area. As her confidence grew, Nicole applied to be a Field Training Officer (FTO) and was soon promoted to Operations Supervisor. Although she enjoyed this role, her passion for teaching led her to become the Clinical Services Manager in July 2023. Her primary responsibilities include Quality Improvement/Quality Assurance (QI/QA), new hire orientations, and education. She achieves this through relationship building, classes, interactive posts, and conversations.

In her free time, Nicole enjoys chasing around her two dogs, Luna and Riot, and riding motorcycles with her significant other. A fun fact about Nicole is that she likes to make beaded pens and keychains.

Ryan Field
Director of Operations
About Ryan
Ryan Field

Ryan Field

Director of Operations

Texas Division

Darren Higgs
Texas Area Director
About Darren
Darren Higgs

Darren Higgs

Texas Area Director

In his role as Area Director for the Texas Division, Darren oversees the comprehensive management, coordination, and supervision of the division. His primary focus is to ensure optimal efficiency and the delivery of top-tier patient care within the operational field.

Darren brings over three decades of EMS-related experience from his tenure at LifeNet. He completed his Paramedic training at Texarkana College in 1989. His educational background also includes graduation from the Medical Transport Leadership Institute and The Ambulance Service Management Training programs. Currently, Darren represents EMS on the Southwest Arkansas Trauma Regional Advisory Council.

Jarrod Nall
Director of Operation
About Jarrod
Jarrod Nall

Jarrod Nall

Director of Operation

Jarrod Nall, a native of Fouke, Arkansas, has lived in the area for most of his life. A graduate of Fouke High School, Jarrod was raised in the church, played high school football, and worked in hay fields and for chicken farmers during his youth. His experiences with EMS at a young age left a lasting impact, inspiring him to pursue a career in the field. After completing EMT school in 1996 and earning his Paramedic license in 1997, Jarrod began his journey with LifeNet, where he has dedicated over two decades of service. His career has seen him grow from a part-time EMT to becoming the Director of Operations, where he oversees all aspects of ground operations for the Texas Division.

Jarrod’s commitment to EMS is matched only by his passion for the outdoors. When he’s not managing LifeNet’s high-demand system or supporting field providers, he enjoys camping, hunting, and fishing. A dedicated coach, he’s spent the last six years leading peewee football teams and is a fan of catching at least one Skillet concert each year. A fun fact about Jarrod is he is a registered minister in the state of Arkansas.

Bruce Townsend
QI/Education Manager
About Bruce
Bruce Townsend

Bruce Townsend

QI/Education Manager

Coming from Genoa, Arkansas, Bruce has been a dedicated team member of LifeNet since 2004. Starting as an EMT at the age of 18, Bruce’s commitment and passion for the field has seen him advance through many roles such as Field Training Officer, Operations Manager and now the Texas Clinical Manager. In his current role, Bruce focuses on quality improvement and education, drawing on over 15 years of experience as an EMS educator. Bruce enjoys hunting, fishing and spending time at the lake outside of work.