Leadership Team
Bryan Gibson
Chief Executive Officer
Bryan Gibson - Chief Executive Officer
Bryan Gibson, Chief Executive Officer of Priority OnDemand, has more than 30 years of experience in emergency medical services. He founded Priority Ambulance (a division of Priority OnDemand) with a vision to set a higher national standard of clinical excellence and care in emergency medical services.
Gibson began his career as a licensed paramedic working at a hospital in Corinth, Mississippi, and later with a fire department in Memphis, Tennessee. In 1995, he founded his first ambulance company, Priority Ambulance, based in Memphis. He served as President and CEO of Priority Ambulance and its 125 staff members and 45 ambulances, which generated $11 million in annual revenue. In 1997, Gibson sold his company to Rural/Metro and joined its management team as Mid-South Division General Manager. Later that year, he was promoted to oversee business development and was responsible for operational productivity and profitability throughout the 10-state South Zone region.
One of his main functions was to support and direct staff in turnaround environments to ensure regional profitability. In 2002, Rural/Metro tapped Gibson to serve as Division General Manager for a multi-state territory that included Mississippi, Alabama, West and Middle Tennessee and the Florida Gulf Coast – operations with annual revenues totaling $19 million. From 2005 to 2010, he served as Group President of the South Region and then the Southwest Region, overseeing operations and business development in both territories and securing new contracts and renewals for key markets. In 2010, Gibson became Chief Operating Officer at Rural/Metro Corporation, overseeing all operating aspects of one of the largest emergency services companies in the country. For the fiscal year, ended June 30, 2010, Rural/Metro Corporation provided ambulance services and other services to more than one million individuals in approximately 440 communities nationwide and generated net revenue of $530.8 million.
In May of 2012, Gibson returned to his entrepreneurial roots and founded his second ambulance company, Shoals Ambulance, in Florence, Alabama, which was awarded the exclusive contract for EMS emergency and non-emergency services for Lauderdale County and the City of Florence in 2013. Shoals Ambulance became a part of the Priority Ambulance family in 2014. Today, Priority OnDemand provides ambulance, telehealth, and patient logistic services to more than 700,000 patients annually in 14 states.
Gibson earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Colorado Tech University. He has been married to his wife, Lisa, for more than 20 years, and has a son, Jake.
Kristi Ponczak
Chief Financial Officer
Kristi Ponczak - Chief Financial Officer
Kristi Ponczak, Chief Financial Officer for Priority OnDemand, is responsible for all financial and accounting-related functions of the company. As CFO, she advises and coordinates with the CEO and board of directors on all financial matters related to corporate growth, strategic initiatives and related activities.
Ponczak has more than 15 years of experience managing finances in the emergency medical services industry. Ponczak joined Priority Ambulance in 2013 as its Chief Financial Officer. Before joining Priority Ambulance, she was Chief Financial Officer for the publicly traded Rural/Metro Corporation, one of the country’s largest emergency medical services companies.
During her 13 years with Rural/Metro Corporation, she served in various finance and accounting roles, including Director of Financial Planning and later as Vice President and Treasurer. She served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Rural/Metro Corporation from 2006 to 2011. Prior to her experience in the EMS field, Ponczak worked as Corporate Controller at Sun Street Foods and was responsible for implementing operational and accounting processes post-acquisition for the publicly traded Main Street & Main.
Ponczak began her career focusing on large-scale merger and acquisition structures as a member of the Management Consulting-Business Valuation Group at Coopers & Lybrand.
Steve Blackburn
Chief Administrative Officer
Steve Blackburn - Chief Administrative Officer
Steve Blackburn has more than 40 years of experience in the emergency medical services industry and specializes in developing and implementing operational strategies designed to maximize growth potential, efficiency, and profitability. As Chief Administrative Officer, Blackburn oversees the daily administrative functions, focusing on companywide strategic planning to develop and implement the infrastructure and systems to accommodate future growth. Blackburn previously served as Chief Operating Officer for the company.
Prior to joining Priority Ambulance in late 2013, Blackburn worked for Rural/Metro Corporation, based in Scottsdale, Arizona. He began his tenure in Nashville, Tennessee, as Division General Manager and was promoted to Group President of Rural/Metro’s East Zone, overseeing six EMS and fire divisions.
Blackburn also served as Vice President of New Business Integration for Rural/Metro Corporation, assisting in integrating new operations, contract retention, and acquisitions. He also held several positions with various manufacturers of emergency medical technology and disaster response equipment. He served as National Technical Sales Manager for TVI-Immediate Response Technologies and Director of Marketing for Ferno-Washington, Inc.
Blackburn earned a master’s degree in business administration from Franklin University and a bachelor’s degree in health education from The Ohio State University.
Phil Koster
Chief Operating Officer
Phil Koster – Chief Operating Officer
Koster brings more than 25 years of experience in public safety and ambulance service management. His multifaceted background includes service as a paramedic, hazardous materials specialist, and firefighter, making him well-versed in the tactical and strategic aspects of emergency services.
Most recently, Koster served as the Chief Operations Officer for Chatham Emergency Services in Savannah, Georgia, where he played a pivotal role in overseeing emergency services operations. Before that, he was Vice President of Operations at MedCare Ambulance in Columbus, Ohio.
In addition to his operational expertise, Koster has an associate degree in Emergency Management Services and a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Currently pursuing his master’s degree in business administration, Koster continues to invest in his education to enhance his leadership capabilities.
Brenda Staffan
Chief Govt Affairs/Public Policy Officer
Brenda Staffan - Chief Government Affairs and Public Policy Officer
Brenda Staffan has more than 30 years of experience in the emergency medical services (EMS) and healthcare policy sector. As Chief Government Affairs and Public Policy Officer, Staffan leads the Priority OnDemand’s government relations and public policy strategies, fostering sustainable partnerships and advocating for policies supporting innovative and efficient healthcare services.
Prior to joining Priority, Staffan served as a Senior Advisor to the Emergency Triage, Treat & Transport (ET3) Model at the federal Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation, where she played a pivotal role in the implementation of the innovative healthcare delivery model.
Additionally, she has held leadership roles at the Regional Emergency Medical Services Authority (REMSA) and the California Ambulance Association. Staffan has also led legislative and policy strategies as the Director of Federal Government Affairs for Rural/Metro Corporation.
Tony Dalton
General Counsel/Compliance
Tony Dalton - General Counsel/Compliance
As General Counsel, Dalton heads Priority OnDemand’s in-house legal department in its corporate headquarters in Knoxville, Tennessee. Dalton has more than 29 years of legal experience, including significant experience in the emergency medical services industry.
Before joining Priority OnDemand, Dalton was a partner at Woolf McClane Bright Allen & Carpenter, PLLC. Dalton previously served as outside counsel for Priority Ambulance for several years before assuming the General Counsel role. Dalton has advised the company on a variety of legal issues during its recent growth. In his years of private practice, Dalton represented numerous paramedics, EMTs, ambulance services and fire departments in a wide variety of legal matters.
Dr. Joe Holley
Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Joe Holley - Chief Medical Officer
With more than 30 years of experience, Dr. Joe Holley is the Medical Director for Priority Ambulance’s operations in Tennessee, as well as serving as the national medical director for Priority OnDemand.
Additionally, Dr. Holley is the State EMS Medical Director for Tennessee, as well as the Medical Director for Memphis and Shelby County Fire Departments and Tennessee Task Force One: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team. He has been deployed over 25 times to such events as 9/11 at the Pentagon, Hurricanes Katrina, Harvey, and Irma, among many others. Due to this extensive experience, he now is the Medical Unit Leader for FEMA’s Incident Support Team.
Dr. Holley is Subspecialty Board Certified and has extensive experience in EMS, including specialty areas such as Confined Space, Motorsports, and Event services. He currently serves multiple private EMS systems in West Tennessee, making him the most active EMS Medical Director in Tennessee.
In addition, he is a member of the Eagles Consortium, comprised of the EMS Medical Directors of the nation’s largest municipalities. Dr. Joe Holley also provides educational presentations, up-to-date protocols and emergency medical hot topics via EmergencyMedicalResources.com. Dr. Joe Holley was voted a Memphis Top Doc by Memphis Flyer.
Diahan Underwood
Chief Compliance/Nursing Officer
Diahan Underwood – Chief Compliance/Nursing Officer
Diahan Underwood oversees compliance programs for all of Priority Ambulance’s family of companies and evaluates compliance issues and concerns. Underwood is a Certified Ambulance Compliance Officer (CACO) through the National Academy of Ambulance Compliance.
Prior to joining Priority Ambulance, Underwood worked at Central EMS, a member of the Priority Ambulance family of companies located in Roswell, Georgia, as director of nursing and critical care services and chief flight nurse for Central Air Ambulance from 2010 to 2017. Underwood has more than 20 years of experience in EMS and critical care nursing.
Underwood received her EMT certification from North Metro Technical College in 1991. While working as an EMT, her love for helping people and advancing in the field of medicine led her to pursue her degree as a registered nurse from Clayton State College in 1997. Before joining Central EMS, she gained experience at Children’s Hospital of Atlanta, Scottish Rite, Northside Hospital-Cherokee, West Georgia Medical Center, Cherokee EMS and Troup County EMS.
Underwood is certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Trauma Life Support, Prehospital Trauma Life Support, Basic Trauma Life Support, Perianesthesia, Basic Firefighter II and FEMA and Hazmat Courses. She is an instructor in Pediatric Emergency Awareness Recognition (PEAR), BLS/ACLS, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, ITLS, PHTLS, Child Passenger Car Seat Technician, SAFE Kids Safety Program and the Infectious Disease Transport Network.
Underwood is a member of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses Foundation and serves on the Georgia State Medical Assessment Team Advisory Board.
John Johnson
Chief Information Officer
John Johnson – Chief Information Officer
John Johnson serves as Chief Information Officer for Priority OnDemand, overseeing the development of information technology and control center strategy across the company’s multi-tier integrated technology, information, and on-demand delivery model solutions.
Johnson brings more than 20 years of experience in information technology, complemented by 18 years of expertise in Aviation Operations, Telecommunications, Human Resources, and Intelligence leadership roles within the United States Army. Prior to joining Priority OnDemand, Johnson served as the Director of Services Partner Sales for Icertis in Chandler, Arizona. His previous roles include Director of Technology for the State of Arizona, Director of IT-Field Operations Technology for Rural Metro Corporation, and CIO Americas for Global Business Services for Deutsche Post DHL.
Johnson holds a Master of Business Administration degree in Leadership from Grand Canyon University and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Science & Technology from Thomas Edison State College. He is certified as a Prince 2 Project Management Practitioner (PMP equivalent), Communications Security Custodian, and holds a commercial helicopter pilot license.
Maria Zito
Chief Revenue Officer
Maria Zito - Chief Revenue Officer Over Revenue Cycle Management
Maria Zito oversees Revenue Cycle Management, managing billing operations for Priority Ambulance’s family of companies. She supervises patient billing and collections activities, systems, and procedures.
Zito previously served as Revenue Cycle Management Director for Priority’s New York, Virginia and cash posting operations. She oversaw the day-to-day revenue operations and managed cash flow for Priority, handling billings for services across multiple entities.
Zito’s 25+ year career within EMS began as a billing representative at Kunkel Ambulance in Utica, New York. She rose through the ranks to become the company’s Vice President, joining Priority OnDemand in 2014 through the acquisition of Kunkel Ambulance. Zito earned her bachelor’s degree in business economics from SUNY College.
Bob Jewell
Chief Revenue Integration Officer
Bob Jewell - Chief Revenue Integration Officer
Bob Jewell serves as Chief Revenue Integration Officer for the Priority OnDemand family of companies, applying his extensive experience as a compliance and revenue recognition expert to ensure meticulous revenue cycle compliance for the company’s acquisition program.
Prior to his current role, Jewell served as Chief Revenue Officer for Priority OnDemand’s family of companies, overseeing all patient billing activities, collections systems and procedures. He has 35 years of experience in the emergency medical services industry.
Jewell previously served as Vice President of Operations for RevOne Companies, a collection agency in Greenwood, Indiana. Additionally, Jewell served as Vice President of Revenue Cycle Management for Rural/Metro Corporation prior to joining Priority Ambulance in 2014. While at Rural/Metro, he managed 1.2 million annual transports and the associated cash collection of $600.2 million through six billing locations with 485 billing employees.
Patrick Wynne
VP Finance
Patrick Wynne – VP Finance
Patrick Wynne serves as Vice President of Finance at Priority OnDemand, bringing a comprehensive understanding of healthcare finance and deep institutional knowledge developed through his tenure with the organization.
Since joining Priority in 2018, Wynne has held progressively senior roles in financial planning and analysis, most recently serving as Director of Financial Planning & Analysis before his promotion to Vice President. He has been instrumental in developing sophisticated predictive models for revenue recognition and cash flow management, while working closely with operations teams to create financial forecasts and evaluate new business opportunities.
Prior to Priority, Wynne worked in Risk Advisory at Ernst & Young, where he helped clients develop and improve SOX compliance frameworks for key financial processes. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Notre Dame, where he graduated summa cum laude through an accelerated three-year program.
Sharon Kraun
VP Marketing & Communications
Sharon Kraun – VP Marketing & Communications
Sharon Kraun is a seasoned communications strategist with more than 25 years of experience spanning media, government, and healthcare sectors. Currently serving as Vice President of Marketing & Communications at Priority OnDemand, Kraun brings extensive expertise in brand development, crisis communications, and integrated marketing strategies.
Her career includes significant roles as Communications Director for the City of Sandy Springs, GA, where she served as chief communications officer for nearly a decade, and as Senior Health Communications Specialist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, focusing on antibiotic resistance initiatives.
Prior to her government service, Kraun founded RoundSquare Communications and Marketing Matters, supporting major brands including Starbucks, Macy’s, and Chick-fil-A. Her background also includes substantial media experience as a reporter, producer, and assignment editor for several news organizations including USA Today, WXIA TV, and WSB TV in Atlanta, GA .
Kraun holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Communications from the University of Alabama.
Scott Yates
VP Corporate Development
Scott Yates – VP Corporate Development
Scott Yates is Vice President of Corporate Development, leading the company’s growth strategy through acquisitions and innovative partnership models. With a career spanning healthcare, management consulting, and nuclear energy, he brings a diverse skill set and strategic insight to the organization.
Yates began his professional journey as an officer in the United States Navy, serving in the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. He has since held leadership roles across multiple industries, contributing to organizational growth and operational success. Before joining Priority, he owned First Call Ambulance in Tennessee, where he oversaw the company’s expansion to serve more than 40,000 patients annually. In 2021, First Call Ambulance joined the Priority Ambulance family.
Yates holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Vanderbilt University, a master’s degree in engineering from Virginia Tech, and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
Regional Presidents
WEST REGION
Chris Blach
Regional President
Chris Blach, West Region President
Chris Blach brings over two decades of strategic leadership experience in emergency medical services and healthcare operations. Prior to his current role, Blach held senior leadership positions including Vice President of Operations at Priority Ambulance and Interim Executive Director at Commonwealth Health Emergency Medical Services. His extensive background includes significant tenures with American Medical Response and Rural/Metro Corporation, where he demonstrated expertise in operational management and strategic leadership.
Blach holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Administration from Eastern Florida State College, providing a strong educational foundation for his robust healthcare leadership career.
SOUTH REGION
Dwayne Tullos
Regional President
Dwayne Tullos -South Region President
Dwayne Tullos is a highly accomplished healthcare executive with extensive leadership experience in emergency medical services. As the South Region President for Priority Ambulance, he is responsible for overseeing multi-state operations, with a focus on operational excellence, strategic growth, and clinical quality improvement.
Prior to his current role, Tullos served as Regional Director of Operations for Global Medical Response, managing multiple air and ground ambulance bases across three states. His leadership encompassed P&L management, proposal development, contract negotiations, safety, strategic planning and driving business development initiatives.
Tullos’s career has included key leadership positions, including Operations Manager and Director of Operations, where he consistently demonstrated his ability to align operational execution with broader strategic goals while maintaining exceptional performance standards.
A former law enforcement professional, Tullos also brings a unique perspective in security operations and crisis management. He is highly trained with certifications as a Certified State Investigator, NREMT-Paramedic, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, and specialized training in de-escalation tactics and advanced interview techniques.
MID-STATE REGION
Tony Anteau
Regional President
Tony Anteau - Mid-States Region President
Tony Anteau has served as Regional President of the Mid-States Region since 2022, bringing over 35 years of emergency medical services experience. After joining as vice president of Priority Ambulance’s Indiana operation in 2017, he expanded Seals Ambulance through new hospital partnerships and managed 9-1-1 contracts for Greenwood, Franklin, and Tipton County.
Named the 2021 State EMS Officer of the Year by the Indiana Fire Chiefs Association, Anteau is an active member of the Indiana State EMS Association. He leads a coalition of Indiana’s largest ambulance providers advocating for improved insurance reimbursement rates and patient billing protections.
His extensive leadership background includes roles as vice president of operations for Air Medical Group Holdings, division general manager for Rural/Metro, and service on the Georgia Region III EMS Council. Anteau was appointed by the Governor as Chairman of the Ohio Ambulance Licensing Board and has served as Chief for multiple fire and EMS departments.
Anteau’s experience extends to hospital-based ambulance services and air medical programs. He has also served in multiple leadership capacities during national disaster responses as a FEMA subcontractor.
ATLANTIC REGION
David Abrams
Regional President
David Abrams – Atlantic Region President
David Abrams brings more than 25 years of comprehensive emergency medical services leadership to Priority Ambulance. As the former Chief of Charleston County, S.C. EMS, the department saw significant growth with an increased budget and an expanded ambulance fleet. Abrams’ previous experience includes executive roles at Medical University Hospital Authority and Procarent, where he demonstrated strong skills in operational management, employee engagement, and financial oversight. Abrams’ diverse background includes founding and managing his own ambulance service and working as a frontline paramedic. Abrams holds credentials as a Registered Nurse, Paramedic, and attorney, bringing a multifaceted perspective to emergency medical services leadership.
SOUTHEAST REGION
Sharon Schwarz
Regional President
Sharon Schwarz -Southeast Region President
Sharon Schwarz is a strategic healthcare leader who serves as Southeast Region President for Priority Ambulance. Schwarz brings a strong background in public health and strategic planning to Priority Ambulance. She previously served as Director of Operations at Global Medical Response, where she led strategic planning initiatives to enhance healthcare delivery and patient transport. She has extensive experience in EMS Business Development and is eager to lead the continued growth of the Southeast region.
Sschwarz holds a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and a Bachelor of Science in Biology/Biochemistry from Colorado Mesa University.
Owners Group
The Priority Ambulance Owners Group is comprised of former owners of ambulance companies that have joined the Priority Ambulance family. These experienced EMS professionals continue to play active roles in their local operations and serve as key advisors to Priority Ambulance’s national executive leadership team. Their collective expertise and insights help shape the company’s strategic direction and ensure that local operations maintain their unique identities and community connections.
This collaborative approach allows Priority Ambulance to leverage the extensive industry experience of our Owners Group while preserving the legacy and culture of each acquired company.