Meet the Board
The Minnesota EMS Memorial Foundation is guided by a volunteer board of EMS professionals, public‑safety leaders, and community advocates. Together, they bring decades of frontline experience, organizational leadership, and mission‑driven service to the effort of building the state’s first permanent line of duty death memorial.
Adam Harvey
Adam Harvey, founder and CEO of the Minnesota State EMS Line of Duty Death Memorial Foundation, has dedicated more than two decades to emergency medical services. He began his career in 2004 as an EMT‑I85 in Osceola, Wisconsin, later joining Allina Health EMS in 2007. Over the years, Adam has served as an EMT‑I, Paramedic, Critical Care Paramedic, and now works as the Ambulance Service Manager for Welia Health System. He also serves as a Paramedic with the federal Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR).
A committed advocate for honoring EMS professionals, Adam has volunteered with the Minnesota EMS Honor Guard for over a decade, where he serves as a Support Officer (Captain). His leadership, experience, and dedication drive his work to ensure Minnesota’s fallen EMS personnel are honored with dignity and permanence.
Founder & CEO
Wendy Olson
Wendy Olson is a seasoned marketing communications leader with more than 25 years of experience helping organizations tell their story, strengthen stakeholder trust, and navigate moments of high‑visibility growth and change. She has held leadership roles at multiple Fortune 500 companies, guiding enterprise communications and serving as a trusted advisor to senior executives.
Wendy also brings extensive experience in community relations and nonprofit partnership development. She led corporate community affairs in Houston for the world’s largest foodservice distribution company, expanding philanthropy, volunteerism, disaster‑relief efforts, and national nonprofit collaborations. Earlier in her career, she oversaw major philanthropic initiatives and community partnerships for a global energy company, strengthening its longstanding commitment to the communities it served.
Vice President
SecretaryAmanda Layne
Amanda Layne began her EMS career in 2002 with Stevens County Ambulance Service in western Minnesota. Since 2008, she has served as a paramedic with Allina Health EMS. Her experience includes roles with Brookings Ambulance in South Dakota, St. Croix EMS in Wisconsin, and Air Care with North Memorial in Princeton.
Amanda is deeply committed to supporting the EMS community through mentorship, education, and leadership. She served as Secretary for the International Association of EMTs and Paramedics Local 167 for 14 years and recently transitioned into an internal education role at Allina EMS. She is passionate about honoring fallen EMS heroes and their families through the creation of a permanent memorial at the Capitol.
TreasurerJohn R. Fox
John R. Fox is an accomplished EMS leader, paramedic, and consultant with experience in emergency medical services, organizational leadership, and community collaboration. His career spans frontline emergency response, EMS education, nonprofit board service, and municipal consulting.
He has led joint venture projects between cities, organizational assessments, and the development of governance frameworks for EMS‑related organizations. He is a trusted educator and content developer, creating advanced training resources, study guides, and testing materials for EMTs and paramedics. Blending technical expertise with real‑world application he ensures providers are prepared for both routine care and high‑acuity emergencies. His ability to unite stakeholders and build resilient organizations that meet the evolving needs of their communities is an asset.
Board MemberShawn Stoermann
Shawn Stoermann has been involved in Minnesota EMS since 1988. His career began with the Minnesota Army National Guard as a Combat Medic, where he earned his EMT certification in 1989 at Fort Sam Houston. Shawn served in the National Guard until 2004.
He began his EMS career in 1990 with Melrose Ambulance Service and later worked as a Paramedic with Austin Ambulance, which became Gold Cross Ambulance. During his time at Gold Cross, Shawn served as a Paramedic, FTO, and Education Coordinator. He then joined Allina Health EMS as a Paramedic. Today, Shawn serves as the Emergency Management Director for the Brown County Sheriff’s Office and volunteers as a Community Service Officer/Paramedic with the Meeker County Sheriff’s Department. Since 1996, he has been a Paramedic Faculty member at South Central College.
He joined the MN EMS Honor Guard in 2007 and has served in multiple leadership roles, including Commander (2018–2026). In 2024, he joined the board of the National EMS Memorial Service, helping ensure that each fallen EMS provider’s memory is honored.
Board MemberGavin Rice
Gavin Rice has served in EMS for eight years as an EMT with Allina Health and for two years with Forest Lake Fire. Prior to his EMS career, he spent six years in the Navy Reserves. His background also includes volunteer roles and coaching positions that reflect his commitment to service and community.
Gavin looks forward to serving on the Foundation’s board and helping raise awareness of the EMS profession and the sacrifices made by its members.
Board MemberColleen Morchinek
Colleen Morchinek has been a paramedic for 35 years, spending 33 of them serving with Lakeview/HealthPartners. She now works full‑time as a Research Paramedic. Her decades in the field have given her a deep understanding of the weight carried by public‑safety professionals — a perspective that shapes her work both inside and outside EMS.
In 2022, Colleen founded the Hero Invitational, an annual nonprofit hockey tournament supporting police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and military personnel who struggle with PTSD. The tournament honors her friend and fellow paramedic, Tim Linder, who passed away in June 2024. Inspired by his belief that “the people who serve others are strongest when they show up for each other,” Colleen continues this work in his memory.
She brings that same spirit to the Foundation, committed to ensuring that EMS professionals who gave everything in service to others are never forgotten.