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).
Matthew Renninger is the Director of Operations of Heart To Beat LLC, a safety training and consulting firm that helps organizations prepare and protect their most valuable assets: their team. Matt brings decades of expertise in enhancing operational efficiencies and team agility. During his tenure as Regional Director of Operations with Whole Foods Markets, Matt honed his expertise in operations administration, supporting a vast network of stores and team members. With his focus on Leadership and project management Matt will play an integral role in scaling training and equipment management operations for Heart To Beat’s nationwide client base.
With a proven track record in orchestrating successful new store openings and optimizing team performance, Matt’s strategies are rooted in a culture of mutual respect and team effort. Harnessing those competencies in the hospitality industry, he champions community engagement, fosters customer-focused culture and empowers team members to exceed collective goals.
In his free time, Matthew is a former Chef and enjoys cooking for his family of five and attending his children’s sporting events (Lacrosse, Football, Soccer, and Gymnastics).
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.
Adam Troska, Heart To Beat’s Director of Enterprise Sales joins the team with over a decade of sales experience. A Baltimore local, Adam attended Loyola Blakefield, before heading south to attend Coastal Carolina University where he graduated with a degree in Entrepreneurial Management. Adam’s passion, drive and network, will allow him to continue to advance HTB’s sales division.
Adam and his wife Lauren, a teacher, currently live in the Baltimore area with their two wonderful kids and chocolate lab. Outside of work Adam enjoys spending time with his family and anything outdoors, ranging from boating to hiking to fishing.
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 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.
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.
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.
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