The National Registry Leadership Team

Bill Seifarth

Bill Seifarth, MS, NRP

Executive Director

Bill Seifarth was appointed by the National Registry Board of Directors to serve as the fifth Executive Director of the National Registry, starting August 24, 2018. A Nationally Registered paramedic and an industry veteran, Seifarth brings more than 20 years of experience to the position, including Emergency Medical Services (EMS) leadership at both the State and Federal levels, along with a background of managing several comprehensive certification programs.

Donnie Woodyard Jr.

Donnie Woodyard Jr., MAML, NRP

Chief Operating Officer

The Operations and Stakeholder Relations Team, led by Chief Operating Officer Donnie Woodyard, is responsible for stakeholder relationships, registrant services, information technology, communications and marketing. The core mission of this team is proactive communications to support the EMS community. Previously, he served as a State EMS Director, and led international EMS system development projects. Mr. Woodyard is a Paramedic and has a Master’s in Management and Leadership from Liberty University.

“Anyone can steer the ship, but it takes a leader to chart the course. Leaders who are good navigators are capable of taking their people just about anywhere.”— John C. Maxwell

Mark Terry

Mark Terry, MPA, NRP

Chief Certification Officer

The Certification and Policy Team, led by Chief Certification Officer Mark Terry, is responsible for administering certification policies and processes such as eligibility, re-registration, career re-entry, audits, investigations, policy development and accreditation. The core mission of this team is consistent application of certification policies. Previously, Mr. Terry served on the National Registry Board of Directors from 2009 until 2017. Mr. Terry is a Paramedic and has an MPA from the University of Kansas.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” — Margaret Mead

Lindsey Durham

Lindsey Durham, MBA, CPA

Chief Financial Officer

The Finance and Administration Team, led by Chief Financial Officer Lindsey Durham, is responsible for managing the business administration functions of the Registry including contracts, sales fulfilment and administrative support. The core mission of this team is prudent and sustainable business operations. Ms. Durham is a CPA and has a Master's in Business Administration from The Ohio State University.

“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do and liking how you do it.” — Maya Angelou

Greg Applegate

Greg Applegate, PhD, MBA

Chief Science Officer

The Science and Examinations Team, led by Chief Science Officer Greg Applegate, is responsible for research and examinations related processes, test content development for cognitive and psychomotor exams, test administration and psychometrics. The core mission of this team is to advance the understanding of EMS through evidence based research and to provide valid and reliable assessments of competency. Dr. Applegate has a PhD from Purdue University in Educational Psychology and an MBA from Indiana University.

“The most exciting phrase in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not ‘Eureka!’ but ‘That’s funny…’” — Isaac Asimov

Cynthia Mercer

Chief People Officer

The Human Resources team, led by Cynthia Mercer, is responsible for creating and managing a Performance Management System, developing a culture and structuring a competitive compensation and benefits plan. One of the most important missions of this team is to make the National Registry the best place to work. Mrs. Mercer attended Purdue University and holds a Master's of Arts from the University of Texas - Dallas.

Meet More Of The National Registry Team

Alan ArguelloStakeholder Program Manager

Alan Arguello is responsible for implementing a proactive strategy for stakeholder engagement. His focus is building valuable relationships between the National Registry and its stakeholders. Alan is a Paramedic and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). He carries a Bachelor's in Homeland Security Studies from Tulane University and is completing his MBA through Louisiana State University.
Jon BrydenBusiness Analyst

Jon Bryden leverages technology to improve business processes by translating stakeholder needs into projects for the information technology team. Mr. Bryden is a Certified Associate in Project Management and has a Bachelor's in Busines Administration and Accounting from The Ohio State University.
John CorleyAssociate Content Developer

John Corley is the Associate Content Developer at the National Registry. Mr. Corley is a Paramedic and has a Bachelor's in Emergency Medical Services from The University of South Alabama.
Doug EhlertRegistrant Services Manager

Doug Ehlert is working to leverage technology to optimize the National Registry's new "all-services" contact center. Mr. Ehlert has a BS in Business Administration from The Ohio State University, a BS in Computer Information Systems from DeVry University, and a Graduate Certificate from Walden University.

Mihaiela Gugiu, PhDPsychometrician

Dr. Mihaiela Gugiu is responsible for ensuring that all examinations, scores and related materials produced by the National Registry meet acceptable standards under public and professional scrutiny. Dr. Gugiu has a Ph.D. in Political Science from Western Michigan University.
Sara HammondSenior Accountant

Sara Hammond is a Senior Accountant with over ten years of experience at the National Registry. Ms. Hammond has a Bachelor's in Accounting from Franklin University.
Megan HollernCertification Analyst

Megan Hollern assists with the development and implementation of the National Registry recertification and eligibility policies and procedures. Ms. Hollern is a Paramedic, a Registered Nurse, and she has a Master's in Management and Leadership from Webster University.
Matthew JennellDeveloper

Matthew Jennell is a web application developer with experience in Swift (iOS), C#, JavaScript, XAML, WPF, XML, C++, Python, VBA, and JAVA. Mr. Jennell has a Bachelor's in Computer Science and Mathematics from Capital University.

Dawn MarkieckiPolicy Analyst

Dawn Markiecki assists with the development and implementation of the National Registry certification and eligibility policies and procedures. Ms. Markiecki has a Bachelor’s in Business Communication from Walden University.
Corinne MiesseSr. Certification Specialist

Corinne Miesse is the Senior Certification Specialist at the National Registry. She has a Masters of Library and Information Science from Kent State University.
Ray MollersDirector of Stakeholder Partnerships

Ray Mollers leads the organization’s team responsible for partnerships with federal agencies, state EMS Offices, EMS Educational Programs and local partners. Ray joins the team after more than 32 years of combined Federal service. Ray holds a Health Science degree from Campbell University and is working on a master’s degree in Health Administration with Central Michigan University. He also served 22 years as a U.S. Army Special Forces Medic and was a Nationally Registered Paramedic.
Ash Panchal, MD, PhDResearch Director

Dr. Ashish R. Panchal oversees the National Registry's research activities and serves as a mentor for the research fellows. He is also an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, and serves as the Delaware County EMS medical director. Dr. Panchal has a PhD in Organ System Physiology from Case Western Reserve University and a MD from The Ohio State University.

Tad RhodesInformation Technology Director

Tad Rhodes is responsible for overseeing technology initiatives used by the National Registry in achieving the organization's mission while adding value to our stakeholders. Tad has over 15 years of project leadership and software development experience in the digital, communications, e-commerce and non-profit spheres. He is a graduate of West Virginia University with a BS in Computer Science and BA in Interdepartmental Studies.
Karen Sutherland, PhDDirector of Examinations

Dr. Karen Sutherland oversees the creation, delivery, and quality assurance of the cognitive and psychomotor examinations. She has a doctorate in Immunology/ Microbiology and a Master's degree in Medical-Surgical Nursing.