Today the Montgomery CEO Team visited the Hillsboro Area Ambulance Service and heard from Director Chris Payne about what it takes to operate a nonprofit emergency service.

Students learned how the organization has grown over time - from its early days to becoming a 24/7 service - and how it sustains itself through a mix of revenue sources like insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay. We also discussed the realities of managing expenses, from payroll and fuel to equipment and software, along with the importance of budgeting, fiscal planning, and strong board leadership.

The conversation also covered staffing structure, training pathways from EMR to paramedic, and the responsibility of timely patient care reporting. Some key takeaways were the importance of strong teams, clear systems, and staying vigilant - especially during times of success.

A great behind-the-scenes look at the operations and leadership required to keep a critical service running.

Thank you Director Payne for welcoming our team!