Executive Director & Staff

Executive Director Marc Cohen [email protected] Marc Cohen is the Executive Director of the Wisconsin EMS Association. In that role he leads the largest State EMS Association in the country. The mission of WEMSA is to serve those who serve others. In doing so, we represent and support the views and interests of our membership by working together as the Voice for EMS to promote education, share information, and facilitate legislative action. A native of New York, Marc has called Milwaukee home for over 30 years. He received a B.A in Sociology from Moravian College in Bethlehem, PA and an M.F.A. from Northern Illinois University. He has a diverse and varied background which includes executive management and fund development with mission driven organizations. He served as Executive Director at Congregation Shalom and Foundation Director of the Wheaton Franciscan His professional roles have included V.P - Relationship Manager with PNC Wealth Management. As a dynamic management and development professional, his responsibilities have included fund development, customer and volunteer relations, strategic planning, fundraising, budgeting, and operational and facilities management. He has extensive experience in board development and leadership training. He has provided national consulting services in best practices including budgeting, board development, and leadership transition throughout the United States. He currently serves as the Chair of the Wisconsin Fire and EMS Legislative Leadership Coalition, a member of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Administrative Rule writing committee for CEMS and Flexible Staffing, and a member of the Coverdell Stroke Coalition. His community and volunteer activities include Founding Board Chair of Stellar Collegiate Charter School, Past Chair of National Association of Temple Administration, Chair of the NATA Investment and Consulting Committees. He and his family volunteer at the Agape Meal Program, Hunger Task Force, and St. Ben’s Meal Program. In his spare time Marc is the bass section leader at St. Josephat Basilica. He was married to Milwaukee native Wendy Messnick in 1992. They live in Glendale. The rest of their family is Carly 23, an HR Director at Illumina in Madison, Zachary 18, a rising Freshman at MATC, and Honey 2, their Pit/Boxer rescue.
Conference & Education Director Amanda Bates [email protected] Hi, I’m Amanda! I joined WEMSA in March of 2018, filling the boots of WEMSA’s long time Conference Director, Fred Hornby (who ironically was one of my Paramedic Instructors). I plan and organize the annual Conference, lead the Conference Committee, spearhead the association magazine EMS Professionals, lead the Education Committee, assist with outreach initiatives, and sit on multiple State Working Groups; including Sudden Cardiac Arrest, Community EMS, and the Dispatcher Assisted CPR Program. I am also honored to sit on the UW OTD Board as a representative of EMS in Wisconsin. I am a practicing Paramedic Firefighter with a local rural service, an educator for the Coverdell Stroke Program, and the Lead Educator for the Dispatch Assisted CPR Program. I take great pride in being apart of the future of EMS in Wisconsin. I fight daily to make forward progress for sustainable careers in EMS and Fire Suppression for our future heroes and leaders. I want EMS practice to catch up to science, I want a “Just Culture” to become the norm, and perhaps most of all I want my daughter to know that her mom fought to make a difference. Outside of WEMSA, I can be found at the gym lifting heavy things, tossing bodies on the mat or hanging out with my friends and family enjoying a “Beer Friday” or extended weekend camping.
Sales & Marketing Director Alan DeYoung [email protected] I started with WEMSA in June 2018 as the new Sales & Marketing Director. My role mainly focuses on the partners of WEMSA. From exhibitors who purchase a booth at our conference to our Group Buying Partnerships to our WEMSA Business Membership, my job is to make sure our partners feel and receive value. I have my Masters in Strategy & Marketing, Bachelors in Information Technology and Healthcare Administration. Previous to WEMSA, I was a Regional Sales Manager, National Accounts Manager, and a Sales Data Analyst for a healthcare Fortune 100 company and a healthcare startup. Prior to those roles, I owned and operated a remodeling company out of Milwaukee County, WI. Outside of WEMSA, I am the father to a 2 year old daughter that keeps me busy. My wife and I keep busy with activities with our daughter, family, and friends. I also am continuing my education into other key areas to stay current and knowledgeable.
Membership Manager Anette Wisniewski [email protected] Hi, I’m Anette Wisniewski. I started with WEMSA in December as the new Membership Manager. In short, I handle membership and conference registrations as well as team office support. I was born and raised in Black River Falls, Wisconsin but came to the Milwaukee area for my Bachelor’s degree and never looked back. Previous to WEMSA, I was an Operations Manager for a staffing company in the “State of Milwaukee” for 11 years. I came to WEMSA looking for inspiration and GOSH did I find it!! Thank YOU all for your incredible service in EMS and in Wisconsin. Outside of WEMSA, I am the proud mother of two kids, ages 11 and 9. Between our kids activities including baseball, trap shooting and gymnastics events, my husband and I are usually found in our backyard in Burlington; playing with our dogs while enjoying a beer and a fire (all safe, I promise).
Marketing & Design Manager Virginia Howe [email protected] Hi, I'm Virginia! I joined the WEMSA family in December 2018 as the Marketing & Design Manager. I received my degree in Graphic Design from Madison Media Institute in 2014 and began my career in digital design and marketing for a multitude of clients shortly thereafter. Being part of the WEMSA staff, I'm able to pursue my passion for all things design and marketing related with great support and direction from the whole team. I'm the person behind social media posts, signs, brochures and other marketing materials here at WEMSA. Or as the staff likes to put it, I make things look pretty. I grew up in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, but currently reside in Hales Corners with my two cats, Smalls and Odin. Outside of WEMSA, I keep busy with playing soccer, reading any chance I get, and baking a mean batch of cookies.
Project Manager/Finance Director Rebecca Boyle [email protected] Hello! I'm Rebecca, I started with WEMSA in February as the Project Manager/Finance Director. I’ll be handling both accounts payable and accounts receivable as well as supporting the team with various projects, including conferences. Previous to WEMSA, I was the Accounts Payable specialist for a workforce management company. I’ve worked with a variety of organizations ranging from consulting companies to advertising agencies, but am excited to work with a team that really makes a difference! I come from a family dedicated to public service as my father is the chief of a volunteer fire department in rural northern Wisconsin, my brother is a paramedic/firefighter and I’m married to a police officer. Outside of WEMSA, I enjoy hiking, cooking, photography and any adventures that involve my two young sons. I also spend a lot of time “Up North” visiting my family and spending time on the lake.
IT Director (Contract) Ryan DeYoung [email protected] As Team WEMSA’s “resident techie” I assist with all things hardware and software related. Whether I’m wrangling financial spreadsheets, migrating data or performing equipment upgrades, I am always glad to help the team achieve its technical goals in any way I can. I’m also in the process of producing audio and video segments for WEMSA’s social media! I’ve had an interesting grab-bag of prior employment experiences, ranging from security officer at a famous motorcycle manufacturer, to accounts manager at a remodeling company, all the way to kitchen installer at a globally-recognized retailer (“some assembly required”). The common thread in all these experiences has been utilizing different technologies to achieve unique objectives. In my downtime, I enjoy building and fixing computers, digital archiving and custom cabinetry. I’m also developing a new podcast show focusing on the complicated (and often comical) world of modern-day dating.