The National Registry Team

Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director

The National Registry Board of Directors appointed Bill Seifarth as the fifth Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the National Registry in August 2018. A Nationally Registered Paramedic (NRP) and an industry veteran, Seifarth brings more than 25 years of experience to the position, including emergency medical services (EMS) leadership at both the State and Federal levels and a background in managing several comprehensive certification programs.

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”  - Peter Drucker  

Chief Operating Officer

Alan Arguello leads the organization's operations, which includes enterprise risk management, operational and strategic planning, program implementation, performance monitoring, and incident/business continuity preparedness activities. Arguello is a Nationally Registered Paramedic (NRP), a Certified Credentialing Professional (ICE-CCP), and a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). He holds a Bachelor of Arts in national security studies from Tulane University and a Master of Business Administration from Louisiana State University.

"The highest form of knowledge is empathy." - Plato

Chief Assessment Officer

Dr. Mihaiela R. Gugiu oversees the development and validation of certification examinations, the development and implementation of recertification, and the efforts to innovate the certification process in line with appropriate standards in the credentialing industry. Dr. Gugiu has extensive experience in psychometrics, research, and accreditation standards, and is committed to advancing the development of certification examinations in a fair and equitable manner. Dr. Gugiu holds a PhD in political science from Western Michigan University and a nursing degree from Victor Babes School of Nursing in Romania.

"The most difficult thing is the decision to act; the rest is merely tenacity." - Amelia Earhart

Chief Financial Officer

Sara Hammond is a Senior Executive with over ten years of experience at the National Registry. Hammond has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Franklin University.

"You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending."-C.S Lewis

Chief People Officer

Cynthia Mercer leads human resources strategy, workforce development, talent acquisition, employee engagement, and organizational culture.

Mercer brings more than 20 years of experience in people leadership across nonprofit, finance, insurance, travel, and customer service sectors, along with nearly 15 years as an executive, leadership, and career coach. She focuses on building employee-centered strategies and systems that improve retention, engagement, and organizational effectiveness.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in organizational communications from Purdue University and a master’s certificate in executive and leadership coaching from the University of Texas at Dallas. She is certified in multiple leadership development tools, including Korn Ferry’s Leadership Architect Suite, DDI, and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.

Mercer serves on several boards, including Creative Housing/Creative Renovations, the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio, and Greyhounds in Motion, and she is the Immediate Past President of Central Ohio Greyhound Rescue.

 

Chief Marketing Officer

Lisa Treat leads the organization’s marketing and communications strategy, overseeing brand management, digital marketing, public relations, market research, and customer experience to drive engagement, revenue, and mission impact. With experience across agency, government, nonprofit, and private sectors, Treat brings a proven track record in B2B, B2C, and D2C marketing, strategic partnerships, and team leadership. Prior to joining the National Registry, Treat held senior marketing roles across industries including medical devices, financial services, telecommunications, SaaS, and commercial real estate.

Treat is known for strong business acumen, analytical thinking, and a commitment to collaboration and has extensive experience guiding cross-functional initiatives that align marketing objectives with organizational goals.

Research 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 an MD from The Ohio State University. He is board-certified in emergency medicine and emergency medical services (EMS), and a Fellow of the Academy of Emergency Medical Services (FAEMS).