Founder & President

TC Howard serves as the Founder and President for the School of EMS, bringing over 27 years of frontline paramedic experience and operational leadership to one of the nation’s largest EMS education providers. From managing logistics and compliance to empowering teams across multiple departments, TC is known for leading with conviction, clarity, and a people-first mindset.

His journey in EMS began as a high school junior working as a patient care attendant at ETMC Crockett—a role that sparked a lifelong dedication to prehospital care. Since then, he has worked in nearly every facet of EMS operations, instruction, and leadership. He holds a double major in Biology and Chemistry, with a minor in Psychology, and has spent his entire career building teams, solving problems, and improving systems that impact students and staff alike.

TC’s leadership philosophy is grounded in servant leadership and anchored by his faith. He believes the true measure of a leader is found in the victories of their team—not in personal accolades. As an elder and interim pastor at Grace Bible Church in Grapeland, Texas, TC brings the same values of integrity, humility, and purpose into both his professional and personal life.

When he’s not serving the School of EMS or his local church, you’ll find TC spending time with his wife and children, or avoiding books with the same intensity others avoid burpees. Despite his claim that he's “just a fat guy with a big heart,” TC is the steady hand behind countless victories across the School of EMS—and one of the most respected servant-leaders in the field.

Director Of Operations & Innovation

Chad Pate is a systems-thinker, storyteller, and strategist whose career has spanned EMS field leadership, publishing, education, and institutional transformation. As Director of Operations & Innovation at the School of EMS, Chad now oversees the infrastructure, technology, and operational integrity that power one of the nation’s largest EMS education providers.

He began his EMS journey in East Texas as a paramedic at Nacogdoches County EMS, later rising to the role of field training officer and supervisor at UT Health East Texas EMS. But long before donning the uniform, Chad was the owner and publisher of Our Town Times, Inc., where he sharpened his skills in communication, public engagement, and leadership under pressure.

Today, Chad is known for bridging the gap between vision and execution. He leads major systems development, coordinates multi-state operations, and ensures that both students and staff have the tools and support needed to succeed. He serves as a liaison to accreditation bodies, provides operational oversight across departments, and is a driving force behind institutional storytelling and innovation.

Chad holds a Bachelor of Arts from Stephen F. Austin State University, where he was inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa and served as President of Sigma Tau Delta. He believes effective leadership blends empathy, clarity, and accountability, and that the best systems are built with people in mind.

Administrative Manager & Interim IT Manager

Kate Capehart serves as the Administrative Manager and Interim IT Manager for the School of EMS, where she plays a vital cross-functional role in overseeing policy development, project implementation, IT operations, and systems support across the institution. Whether she’s troubleshooting software platforms or building schoolwide processes, Kate is the kind of “jack-of-all-trades” leader every team needs—and few can keep up with.

Kate began her EMS journey as a wheelchair van driver before earning her EMT and Paramedic certifications. After several years as a Critical Care Technician and Field Supervisor at Acadian Ambulance, she transitioned in 2019 to AMR Arlington, serving as a lead paramedic and Field Training Officer during the height of the COVID-19 outbreak. In 2021, Kate joined Paramedics Plus, where she was assigned to the Wylie Fire Department and promoted to Operations Manager. In that role, she developed onboarding and training plans for new hires, managed department-wide EMS certifications, coordinated continuing education, and supported the daily operational needs of the Wylie system. When the Wylie contract concluded in October 2024, Kate brought her extensive field knowledge and administrative expertise to the School of EMS.

Known for her unfiltered honesty and unshakable dependability, Kate leads with a belief that “you learn something new every day—and if you don’t, you’re doing something wrong.” She also reminds her team that “being normal is not necessarily a virtue,” and she encourages those around her to embrace individuality, ask questions, and push boundaries.

Outside of work, Kate enjoys crocheting, reading, and offering professional dog training services. She’s been married for 22 years and is the proud mom of three. Blunt but kind, curious but practical—Kate is a leader who gets things done, speaks her mind, and quietly makes everyone around her better.

Lead Project Specialist

Blake Howard serves as the Lead Project Specialist at the School of EMS, where he oversees a dynamic team responsible for executing a wide range of institutional projects. From coordinating cross-departmental initiatives to supporting major rollouts and system transitions, Blake ensures that every project aligns with the School’s mission and operational goals. He also partners closely with the IT team to provide support for both students and staff, helping bridge technical solutions with real-world needs.

Blake comes from a multigenerational EMS family, with over 50 years of combined service between himself, his father, and his grandfather. That legacy, paired with a passion for teaching and a drive to help others, led him naturally into a career supporting the EMS profession. Before joining the School of EMS, Blake served as a lead teaching assistant for a physiology course at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, working with over 350 students and finding fulfillment in helping them succeed.

Blake’s values are deeply rooted in faith and family. He credits his relationship with God as the compass that keeps him grounded and his wife as the unwavering support that enables him to bring his best to the team every day.

Blake also lives with one of the rarest forms of colorblindness, Tritanomaly, a blue-yellow color vision deficiency found in only 0.02% of the population, which adds a unique lens to the way he sees the world (literally and figuratively).

Logistics Manager-Operations

Justin Lumbreraz is the Operations Manager of Logistics for the School of EMS, where he oversees instructor scheduling, travel coordination, and the shipment of equipment for live labs across all operational states. In addition to managing logistics behind the scenes, Justin also serves as a lab instructor when needed, bringing his extensive field experience directly to the classroom.

Justin began his EMS career in 1997 as a volunteer firefighter and EMT with Grapeland Fire and EMS in the Pineywoods of East Texas. In 2003, he became a paramedic with ETMC EMS and spent four years on an ALS unit in Crockett, Texas. In 2007, he transitioned to the role of Flight Paramedic and went on to serve 17 years as an FP-C with the same service.

Justin joined the School of EMS in 2001 as a part-time adjunct instructor and has long been passionate about shaping the next generation of EMS professionals. He officially joined the organization full-time in 2023—a move he considers one of the best decisions of his career. He finds joy in those “ah-ha” moments during lab sessions when students begin to connect the dots and build confidence in their skills.

Outside of work, Justin is a proud father of two and a grandfather of two. He enjoys outdoor activities, cooking, and taking back road drives in his Jeep with the roof and doors off. A man of faith, Justin lives by the belief that we are called to be contributors in life, always giving back more than we take.

Director Of Academic Affairs

Robert “Bobby” Stanley is the Director of Academic Affairs at the School of EMS, where he serves as the institution’s Chief Academic Officer. In this role, he oversees curriculum development, instructional design, credentialing standards, and accreditation compliance across all programs. Since 2019, he has also served as the Program Director for EMS programs, helping to lead a team of managers and instructors who together graduate approximately 10% of all new paramedics entering the U.S. workforce each year.

Bobby originally set out to become a microbiologist but quickly discovered that the career path was more fungi spreadsheets than life-saving breakthroughs. The 2008 recession redirected him into EMS, where he found a passion for training, leadership, and academic transformation. He later earned a Master of Public Health with a focus on EMS provider injury prevention, followed by a PhD in education with a dissertation centered on online vocational education, a topic shaped heavily by the realities of the 2020 pandemic.

Since joining the School of EMS, Bobby has become a driving force behind the institution’s efforts to break academic norms and raise the bar for vocational education. He is focused on translating the bold, mission-driven goals of SOE into academically sound, scalable, and forward-thinking programs.

A third-generation paramedic on both sides of his family, Bobby carries the legacy of EMS close to his heart. He is married with three children who provide all the extra motivation needed. His leadership philosophy is simple: provide the direction and the resources, and let your team’s talent take you the rest of the way.

Bobby has been recognized as the 2025 Program Director of the Year, EMS Educator of the Year (2016), and received the EMS Pioneer Award (2017) for his contributions to EMS education and innovation.

Live Education Manager

Ashlee Noble-Smith is the Live Education Manager for the School of EMS, overseeing domestic and international live education programs and instructor certifications. She works closely with district officers and instructors to ensure every class runs smoothly, meets the School of EMS standard, and provides students with the skills and confidence they need for real-world success. Ashlee is passionate about designing systems that lighten the administrative load for instructors, allowing them to focus on what matters most, teaching and supporting students.

Ashlee began her EMS career as a 911 paramedic, gaining valuable field experience on the ambulance. She later transitioned to flight medicine, serving 13 years as a flight medic in high-stakes, fast-paced environments. During this time, she took on a training role and discovered her passion for education and leadership.

Today, Ashlee brings a unique blend of frontline experience, compliance expertise, and big-picture strategy to her role. Her leadership philosophy centers on clarity, accountability, and support, with the belief that empowered instructors create empowered students. She is motivated by watching learners grow into confident providers and takes pride in knowing the systems she develops help make that growth possible.

Outside of work, Ashlee enjoys traveling and spending time with her family and friends.

Clinical Services Manager

Amber Jameson is the Clinical Services Manager at the School of EMS, where she serves as the primary liaison between the institution and its hundreds of affiliated clinical sites. She oversees the development and maintenance of hospital and ambulance service agreements, ensures compliance with site-specific regulations, and manages the entire clinical rotation process, from student clearance and onboarding to scheduling, tracking, and communication.

Amber joined the School of EMS in 2021 as a clinical scheduler after more than 20 years in administrative leadership roles within the non-profit sector. In 2022, she was promoted to Clinical Services Manager, where her strong organizational and systems-focused mindset helped reshape and streamline the clinical department. Amber’s commitment to building clear, efficient processes ensures that every student is equipped, supported, and scheduled for success in meeting their field experience requirements.

Though she entered EMS education from outside the industry, Amber quickly developed a passion for the mission and people of SOE. She finds inspiration in watching students and instructors thrive and takes pride in playing a behind-the-scenes role in their success.

Amber is happily married with one son. She enjoys hiking, working in the yard, and escaping to the mountains whenever possible. She and her husband are active in their local church and love spending time with their friends and extended family.

Online Education Manager

Bryan Gorecki is the Online Education Manager for the School of EMS, where he leads the online learning experience for paramedic students across the country. He oversees curriculum development, instructional delivery, and a dedicated team of online instructors, ensuring students have the academic support and structure they need to succeed in a virtual environment.

Bryan joined the School of EMS in 2019 and brings over 15 years of experience in EMS, having worked as a paramedic and field training officer in Illinois, Iowa, and Florida. His deep field experience helps bridge the gap between hands-on EMS practice and effective online education.

Bryan believes that leadership is a privilege and that effective communication is the cornerstone of education. He is passionate about creating an environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and are encouraged to think critically. Supporting both students and instructors through the learning journey and watching them grow in skill and confidence is what he finds most fulfilling.

He is a graduate of the University of Iowa with a bachelor's degree in history and holds a paramedic certification. In 2023, Bryan was honored as Florida’s Paramedic Educator of the Year.

EMS Program Manager

Corey Sargent serves as the EMS Program Manager at the School of EMS, bringing more than 30 years of diverse experience in EMS education, management, clinical care, and research. In this role, he oversees the EMR, EMT, and AEMT programs, serves as one of the School’s lead instructors, and manages specialized offerings for sponsor partners, military affiliates, and Advanced Placement Evergreen students. He also leads the appeal and leave-of-absence replacement process, oversees high-risk student management, and directs the Academic Resource Center. Additionally, Corey serves as the School’s Clinical Coordinator, guiding students through clinical completion, externship requirements, and audit and investigation processes.

Corey’s career has touched nearly every facet of EMS. He has served as an adjunct instructor, primary instructor, regional clinical faculty member, district officer, and now education manager. His cross-disciplinary approach has been shaped by work in both EMS operations and clinical research, including contributions to the U.S. Army Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Command, the Stroke Hyperglycemia Insulin Network Effect study, and the RAMPART trials.

A passionate advocate for research-based, peer-reviewed, best-practice education, Corey believes that good BLS comes before ALS, and that providers should fully understand a medication’s scope before ever administering it. His leadership style is rooted in collaboration, long-term relationship-building, and integrating teams both vertically and horizontally, all while keeping a customer-first focus.

Corey holds a Master of Arts in National Security Studies–Homeland Security from American Military University, a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from the University of Minnesota, and an Intensive Care Paramedic credential from Century College. He is dual-certified as a Healthcare Simulation Operations Specialist and Educator, a state-certified paramedic in multiple states, and an instructor in numerous emergency care disciplines. His work has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine and Resuscitation, and he is a U.S. patent holder for a medical training device.

Program Director, Camsen Career Institute (Subsidiary of School of EMS)

Dr. Adrian Johnson serves as the Program Director of Camsen Career Institute in Jacksonville, Florida, a subsidiary of the School of EMS. In this role, he oversees campus operations, faculty, curriculum, instruction, and accreditation efforts, guiding the next generation of EMS professionals with a commitment to both academic and operational excellence.

Adrian brings decades of leadership and instructional experience to the role. He retired as District Chief after 30 years with the Jacksonville Florida Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD), where he also served simultaneously as the full-time Program Director at Keiser Career College for over six years. During this time, he successfully led Keiser through both its initial and five-year State of Florida approvals for EMT and paramedic programs. Adrian later served as Program Director at Camsen Career Institute, where he led the institution through its initial Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP) review and site visit in 2022, placing Camsen on track to achieve full CAAHEP accreditation by January 2026.

Adrian’s background also includes time as a Company Commander in the Florida Army National Guard, where he achieved the rank of Captain. He has taught as a full-time EMS instructor at St. Johns River State College and as an adjunct instructor at Barry University and Southern New Hampshire University within their leadership and MBA programs. He is also the former owner of Safety Services Solutions, LLC, an authorized provider of leadership certificate courses through the Florida State Fire College.

Adrian's educational philosophy blends the lessons of the most impactful educators he’s encountered with evidence-based teaching strategies and a clear understanding of how people learn. He believes educators don’t “teach”; they facilitate the transfer of knowledge by helping students connect new information to their existing schemas. He emphasizes the importance of adaptive learning strategies such as assimilation and accommodation, helping students structure and retain knowledge in a meaningful, lasting way.

When he's not leading EMS programs or sharing knowledge, Adrian is likely somewhere offshore with a fishing rod in hand. Deep sea fishing is his one true hobby, so if you ever call and it goes to voicemail, there's a good chance he's 50 miles out, out of cell range, and happily reeling in the big one.