By Samantha Hilker

Nick Romenesko was voted on the PAAW Board during executive session at the September 20^th meeting. 

Nick brings with him nine years of experience in EMS.  I have watched Nick grow as a paramedic throughout his career at member organization Gold Cross Ambulance; he is smart, dedicated and incredibly professional.  He knows how to have fun and make you laugh after a tough call, but also pushes himself and those around him to improve each day.  Here’s the thing about Nick, though...you know all those dreaded millennials people are always pontificating about?  Yep – he’s one of them!  A few weeks ago, Nick was promoted to Systems Director at Gold Cross Ambulance Service, Inc. and when I shared the news with a colleague the immediate response was “isn’t he really young for that?”.  Yes, he is young, but he is also driven, committed and, most importantly, capable. 

Nick started his EMS career in Milwaukee a with member-organization Bell Ambulance and then returned to the Fox Valley as a paramedic with Gold Cross where he flourished. Nick chaired the Safety Committee and became integral to the internal education and quality program while earning his bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership.  I think the most important thing to note about Nick, is that he cares.  He cares about his people, he cares about his work, the organization he’s charged with leading, and he cares about the future of EMS for everyone involved. 

There has been a lot of talk over the past few years about attracting, retaining and engaging millennials – we even had a session dedicated to the topic at Midwest EMS Expo, and PAAW published two podcasts on the subject – perhaps electing one to the board is a good start at bridging the generational divide. 

Congratulations, Nick, and welcome to PAAW!