Meet the Team

200 +
Combined Years Teaching Experience
90 +
Combined Years Advanced Life Support Experience
190 +
Combined Years Basic Life Support Experience
150 +
Combined Years Law Enforcement Experience
Scott Kuhlman CEO of Heart to Beat

Scott Kuhlman

CEO
- MEET SCOTT KUHLMAN -

Scott Kuhlman is the CEO of Heart To Beat, a safety training and consulting firm that helps organizations prepare and protect their most valuable assets: their team. Heart To Beat provides comprehensive safety programs and project-based training programs from basic CPR/AED use to Live Simulation Active Assailant Training to the implementation and management of AED/First Aid equipment programs.  Heart To Beat’s team of seasoned law enforcement and emergency services personnel work with organizations from 25-25,000 employees across the nation, including large corporations, universities, private schools, country clubs and much more.

Previously, Scott served in a large Fire Department in the Baltimore Metro area, responding to critically ill and injured people.  During this time, he also served in supervisory roles, rising to the rank of EMS Captain, overseeing nearly 55 EMS personnel.  Through these experiences, Scott noticed a gap in preparedness throughout society and founded Heart To Beat to fill the void.

Scott is a proud graduate of Loyola Blakefield and Loyola University Maryland (BBA Business Management). Scott holds various safety instructor and provider certifications from the Maryland Fire Rescue Institute, American Heart Association, American Red Cross, American Safety and Health Institute and American College of Surgeons.

In his free time, Scott continues to serve as an active volunteer at Jacksonville Fire Co., enjoys hiking, spending time with family and serving on the Board of Directors at Northwest Hospital.  Scott currently resides in Parkton, MD with his wife (Bekah) and daughter (Riley). 

Derek McCoy Medical Director Heart to Beat

Dr. Derek McCoy, MD

Medical Director
- MEET DR. DEREK McCOY, MD -

Derek McCoy, M.D. is an attending physician in the emergency department of one of the largest hospital systems in Maryland.

A native of Illinois, he earned an undergraduate degree in biology at Northern Illinois University (NIU) and a master of science (MS) degree in biology – with a focus on vector biology – from Georgia Southern University (GSU).  His research there focused on Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus (EEEV).   

In 2005, Dr. McCoy earned a medical degree from the American University of the Caribbean (ACU) School of Medicine.  He completed an internship in family medicine at Louisiana State University (LSU).  After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, he returned to Georgia and completed a residency at Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah.  He then continued his training in sports medicine at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.   

Dr. McCoy is board-certified by the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) in both family medicine and sports medicine – and in emergency medicine by the American Board of Physician Specialists (ABPS).  He has practiced as a full-time emergency medicine physician since 2010. In addition, he holds certifications in Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).

Dr. McCoy has served as the director of sports medicine and as a medical director for several private companies. 

Megan Heller

Megan Heller

Director of Operations
- MEET MEGAN HELLER -

Megan joined Heart to Beat in March 2020 as an aquatics instructor, and then began teaching CPR/AED/First Aid courses at the lay responder level shortly after. Megan’s background is in teaching secondary English, where she taught for 10 years in Harford County, Maryland, as well as coached the swim and cross country teams. In her district, Megan participated in curriculum development and writing at the course and district level. Along with 10 years of classroom teaching and coaching experience, Megan also brings ten years of aquatics management experience at clubs around the Baltimore Metro area. She has supervised a staff of 35 lifeguards, overseen swim lessons programs, and managed facilities. In addition, Megan is also a certified yoga instructor (RYT 200).

Megan possesses a Bachelor’s in English with minors in writing and secondary education from Loyola University Maryland, as well as a Master’s of Arts in Literature from Notre Dame of Maryland University.

Sara Francis

Field Services Manager
- MEET SARA FRANCIS -

Sara is a recent graduate from the University of Delaware, where she received a B.A. in Biological Sciences and a minor in Spanish for Healthcare. Throughout her four years at UD, Sara volunteered with the University of Delaware Emergency Care Unit (UDECU) as an EMT and worked at a local fire company. She has experience providing basic emergency care in the pre-hospital setting, as well as experience training EMT students in a variety of EMS skills and procedures. In addition, Sara just moved back to the US after living in Australia for a year, working as a missionary with a non-profit organization called Cru. Sara brings a passion for learning and excellence to the Heart to Beat team.

Dennis Klein

Director of Sales
- MEET DENNIS KLEIN -

Dennis is a seasoned sales professional with an infectious personality and a positive, optimistic attitude. A true Baltimore native, Dennis graduated from Owings Mills High School. He then attended Elon University in North Carolina where he graduated with a degree in corporate communications with a concentration in business. Dennis gets his energy from interacting with others; he is a true people person. Dennis and his wife Jennifer, a pediatrician, share four beautiful children together. In his spare time, Dennis enjoys spending time with his wife and children, playing guitar, and moonlighting as a DJ for a few local charities.

Mike Brooks Active Shooter Instructor at Heart to Beat

Michael Brooks

Senior Active Assailant Instructor
- MEET MICHAEL BROOKS -

Michael Brooks has been involved in law enforcement and security for the past 38 years. He started his career in the US Army as a Military Policeman for 6 years, assigned to an elite unit that worked closely with the US Secret Service to protect foreign dignitaries and high-profile personnel during their visits to Washington, DC and Arlington, VA.

After his tour of duty in the military, Michael joined the University of Maryland / Baltimore Police Department. He quickly rose to the position of Shift Commander and was responsible for the training of the Department Officers in firearms, defensive tactics, police patrol functions as well as other police related tactics. Michael then joined the Anne Arundel County Police Department where he worked in numerous specialized positions as well as a field training officer for the new officers coming onto the department.

Michael helped develop and taught crime prevention and safety programs for the American Red Cross, numerous high schools and specialized employment groups throughout the Baltimore metropolitan region. He worked as the Director of Security at the Baltimore Convention Center, developing and training personnel on various security topics. In addition, he developed safety and loss prevention procedures for the San Diego Zoo, the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego and Hilton hotels in the southern California area.

Michael also works as the Security Director at a private girls’ school in Baltimore and teaches a self-defense course for women (RAD). His knowledge in security and safety and his passion for teaching and sharing his experiences are extensive and invaluable.

Bill Kelly Senior Active Shooter Instructor

Bill Kelly

Senior Active Assailant Instructor
- MEET BILL KELLY -

Bill Kelly retired as a bureau chief (Colonel) from a large police department  in the Baltimore area after 37 years of service.  During his tenure he was the Commander of the Hostage Negotiation Team (Lieutenant) and  the Special Operations Division (Major).  He was in charge of police operations at numerous critical incidents including a 96 hour hostage situation which resulted in the rescue of the hostages. 

Bill has presented courses throughout the United States on behalf of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, United States Department of Homeland Security – Office of Domestic Preparedness, as well as local law enforcement agencies.  Bill has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Baltimore and a Master of Arts degree from Towson University.  He has also graduated from the Federal Executive Institute and the Senior Management Institute for Police.

Bill Cheuvront

Senior Active Assailant Instructor
- MEET BILL CHEUVRONT -

William (Bill) Cheuvront is a lieutenant in a large law enforcement agency in Maryland, with 30 years of experience in law enforcement, crisis management, special operations, and operational preparedness. He has been an active assailant instructor for the past eight years, delivering active assailant courses to such audiences as private businesses, government agencies, house of worship, community members, and private schools.

In addition, Bill has been responsible for planning and managing full-scale active assailant exercises for police and fire departments. He is a frequent presenter in Crisis Intervention Training courses, as well as a co-presenter with the US Department of Homeland Security’s Protective Services division. Bill holds a BS in business from Loyola University and expects to complete his MBA through Louisiana State University in 2023.

Larry Suther

Larry Suther

Active Assailant Senior Instructor
- MEET LARRY SUTHER -
Larry Suther retired as a Division Commander from a large Baltimore area police agency.  During his tenure there he worked in Special Operations, Tactical/SWAT, and was responsible for the safe resolution of hostage and barricade situations. Subsequently, Larry worked for more than 5 years in a local Sheriff’s Office as the Colonel responsible for daily operations. Larry was the co-developer of a program hosted by the Maryland Police and Corrections Training Center designed for School Resource Officers (SRO). The program was designed to provide officers the training to effectively respond to an active threat in a school setting. Larry has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Baltimore and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.
Tyler Brice

Tyler Brice

Active Assailant Instructor
- MEET TYLER BRICE -

Tyler Brice is currently employed with a large law enforcement agency in the State of Maryland, providing both Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) & Law Enforcement. He is trained in both law enforcement tactics, emergency medical/trauma care and technical rescues. He currently works as a Crew Chief/Flight Paramedic and is in charge of providing critical care on medevacs. He was promoted to Corporal in 2021 and is a first line supervisor. 

Tyler has been involved in EMS for 16 years and Law Enforcement for 9 years. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Washington College, a Paramedic Certification from Chesapeake College and a Critical Care Paramedic Certification from University of Maryland Baltimore County. In addition to these he holds various other certifications including ACLS, PALS & ITLS. 

Kevin Phillips

Senior Active Assailant Instructor
- MEET KEVIN PHILLIPS -

Kevin Phillips is a Sergeant at a large Sheriff’s Office in Maryland. He is currently assigned to the Special Operations division where he is the Team Commander for his agency’s SWAT and Crisis Negotiation Team. Kevin currently responds to various critical incidents to include barricades, high risk search warrants, hostage rescues, and active assailants within the county he is employed as well as the surrounding jurisdictions. For the last ten years Kevin has been an active assailant trainer and has conducted multiple large-scale drills involving active assailants or hostage/barricades. In addition to his primary duties Kevin is also a Search Manager, MPCTC Firearms Instructor, Incident Command Systems Instructor and is on the Crisis Intervention Team. Kevin lives locally and enjoys hiking, golf, and spending time with his family.     

Mark Crump

Senior Active Assailant Instructor
- MEET MARK CRUMP -
Mark Crump retired from a large Baltimore area police agency as a Sergeant. During his nearly 33 years of service, he served in patrol, traffic, K-9 and S.W.A.T. For his last 20 plus years of service Mark worked in support operations and was involved in the planning and execution of over 1000 SWAT operations including high-risk warrant service, barricaded subjects, active shooter situations, vehicle assaults, and hostage rescue incidents throughout the State. In 2006, Mark was the recipient of the police departments’ highest award, the Medal of Honor and the Maryland Chiefs of Police award for Valor. 
 
Mark served as an educator for law enforcement professionals. He was a S.W.A.T. operator/supervisor and instructor/trainer. He was certified by the Maryland Police Training Commission as a General Instructor, Firearms Instructor-Instructor and Police Motorcycle Operator Instructor. He graduated from S.W.A.T. School, Counter-Sniper School, Air Assault School, Firearms Instructor School, Basic and Motor Instructor Schools and various others. Mark taught SWAT Tactics including hostage rescue and active shooter, high-risk warrant service and barricaded subject operations and assisted as an instructor and supervisor of numerous SWAT Schools, Counter-Sniper Schools and Police Motorcycle Operator and Instructor Schools. He developed and implemented several training programs and large-scale training scenarios related to SWAT operations and motorcycle operations. Mark graduated from the Police academy and Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. 
Dave Ruby

Dave Ruby

AED Manager/Instructor

Shannon Allen

Safety Instructor
Chelsea Brandenberg

Chelsea Brandenberg

Safety Instructor

Mike Carrara

Safety Instructor
Safety and Aquatics Instructor

Andrew Coffin

Safety and Aquatics Instructor

Jeb Kochakkan

Safety Instructor
Sam Lopez Lifeguard Instructor

Sam Lopez

Safety and Aquatics Instructor

Zephaniah Matteson

Aquatics Instructor
Ryan Monohan Safety Instructor

Ryan Monahan

Safety Instructor

Matthew Murphy

Safety Instructor

Paul Perry

Safety Instructor

Joshua Rager

Safety Instructor

Jesse Rutledge

Safety Instructor

Andrew Ayers

Service Technician

Charlie Fiedler

Safety Equipment Installer
Larry Majchrzak Safety Equipment Installer

Larry Majchrzak

Safety Equipment Installer

Chloe Haught

Service Technician/Instructor Aide

Lindsay Kovack

Service Technician/Instructor Aide
Gabriella Kremer

Gabriella Kremer

Service Technician/Instructor Aide
Ready to join the Heart To Beat team?