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The people who keep us ready.
Ben has been the Director of Operations since 2011. Prior to becoming the director, he held numerous roles within this organization including, EMT, Paramedic, Field Lead, Supervisor and Manager. Ben has more than 33 years of diverse experience in emergency medical services and has held positions in EMS operations in both paid and volunteer EMS organizations. He began his career in a small rural BLS ambulance service and through the years helped to advance this service to a combination full time/volunteer ALS system. He served for 27 years with the service as a Critical Care Paramedic. In addition to his volunteer and front line EMS experience, he has been a firefighter and has worked and trained in the Fire and Rescue arena including: Vehicle Extrication, High Angle Rope Rescue, Dive Rescue Operations and Tactical EMS. Ben brings his leadership experience as a Director and personal experiences of working at all levels of systems as a volunteer working for different EMS systems across multiple states.
Lee joined Lakes Region EMS as an Operations Manager in 2013. Prior to this role, he served as the Director of EMS for a county-wide volunteer department in southeastern South Dakota. He began in EMS while attending the University of South Dakota, and gained experience in EMS, the fire service and as a Deputy Sheriff before moving into an EMS leadership role. His current role includes serving as the Director of EMS for Cumberland Healthcare’s EMS Department through a management contract. There, he has led the department to lead the organization in employee engagement, scoring in the 99th percentile on Gallup’s Employee Engagement Survey in 2020. He is active in the Northwest Wisconsin Regional Trauma Advisory Council, currently serving as the chair for the Education and EMS Committee. He continues to instruct numerous courses, including ACLS, PALS and PHTLS. In 2019, he received the American Ambulance Association’s Star of Life award.
Brandon has been part of the Lakes Region EMS family for over a decade, starting his journey as an EMT and working his way up through the ranks. After becoming a Paramedic, he spent seven years as an Operations Supervisor before stepping into his current role as Operations Manager. Throughout his career, Brandon has been passionate about improving systems and supporting teams. He’s led the Field Training Officer (FTO) group and played a key role in implementing Operative IQ, streamlining everything from ambulance checks and narcotics tracking to supply ordering and asset management. In 2022, Brandon was honored as a Star of Life by the American Ambulance Association, recognition of his dedication and impact in the EMS field. Brandon brings a hands-on leadership style and a deep understanding of field operations to the table. He’s all about making things work better for the crews, the patients, and the organization as a whole.
Brian brings over a decade of dedication and leadership to Lakes Region EMS. Throughout his career, Brian has consistently demonstrated an exceptional commitment to patient care, the organization, and professionals within it. As a Supervisor, he is known for his reliability and his ability to mentor and support team members at all levels of the organization. Beyond his supervisory role, Brian remains actively involved in numerous community outreach programs including time as an instructor for regional tactical medicine courses, helping to train both our staff and fellow first responders around the midwest. Brian has also been instrumental in developing and optimizing Lakes Region EMS’s Operative IQ system, enhancing fleet, asset, inventory, and narcotics management processes to improve efficiency and workflow for both field staff and support teams. In recognition of his outstanding service, Brian was previously honored to represent Lakes Region EMS in Washington D.C. as an American Ambulance Association Star of Life Award recipient. His dedication to clinical excellence, community service, and organizational leadership continues to make him an invaluable asset to the Lakes Region EMS team.
Danny "D-Mac" brings eight years of dedication, leadership, and commitment to Lakes Region EMS. Throughout his career, Danny has demonstrated a strong passion for patient care, serving others, and supporting the professionals around him. Beginning his journey as an EMT, Danny continued to advance his clinical expertise, becoming a Paramedic and ultimately a Critical Care Paramedic. As a Supervisor, he is known for his strong work ethic, dependability, and willingness to go above and beyond for both his team and the organization. Danny leads the Field Training Officer (FTO) program and oversees new-hire training and operational orientation, helping ensure that incoming team members are well-prepared to deliver high-quality patient care. In addition to his supervisory responsibilities, Danny is team lead for the organizations SWAT-Medics, supporting specialized tactical medical operations and helping prepare team members for challenging, high-risk environments. His dedication is reflected in his willingness to come in early, stay late, and do whatever is needed to support his colleagues and the mission of Lakes Region EMS. In recognition of his outstanding service, Danny was honored as an American Ambulance Association Star of Life Award recipient. His commitment to clinical excellence, mentorship, and serving others continues to make him a valued leader and an integral part of the Lakes Region EMS team.
With nearly a decade of experience across multiple large EMS systems, Jakob has served in roles ranging from Vehicle Service Technician to Critical Care Paramedic and Supervisor. Jakob joined LREMS in 2019 and remains active in SWAT, fire, and dive rescue operations. His diverse experience across EMS, fire, tactical, and rescue roles provides a broad, well-rounded perspective on public safety and interagency collaboration. His leadership focuses on emergency preparedness, operational efficiency, and leveraging technology to enhance field operations and crew support. In addition to his operational responsibilities, Jakob manages internal systems including data dashboards, information displays, and field-deployable technology that helps streamline daily EMS operations. He also contributes to agency social media, website design, and visual branding projects, combining clinical leadership with a modern approach to communication and technology. Outside of work, Jakob enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors with his wife and their golden retriever.
Sophie is a dedicated and essential member of the team at Lakes Region EMS, where she has served as a Supervisor for the past 2 years. Her role in leadership reflects significant expertise and commitment to the field of emergency medical services. As a supervisor, she contributes to the operational efficiency and clinical quality of the services provided by Lakes Region EMS, ensuring the delivery of critical and timely care within the community. Voit's background includes hands-on experience as a Paramedic, a highly demanding role that requires advanced life support skills, critical decision-making, and composure under pressure. Her progression to a supervisory position highlights her proven capabilities not only in patient care but also in staff management, training, and operational oversight. Her work is vital to maintaining the high standards of emergency medical response that the organization and the surrounding region depend upon.
