Leadership
The people building Smith EMS and holding it to a higher standard.
Chase Smith, Founder & CEO
Smith EMS was built from firsthand experience inside the gaps of event medical coverage.
Chase started working events at a young age and quickly recognized a pattern of minimal hiring standards, little oversight, and inconsistent performance at events where it mattered most.
That experience led to the creation of Smith EMS, with a focus on visibility, communication, and reliability in real event environments.
Today, Chase leads the company’s growth, client relationships, and operational standards—ensuring every event reflects the level of service Smith EMS was built to deliver.
Owen Riemer, Director of development
Owen leads training and onboarding at Smith EMS, ensuring every medic is prepared to perform in real event environments—not just meet baseline certification.
His role is focused internally: building systems for consistency, reinforcing expectations, and developing medics who are confident, communicative, and ready when it matters.
Owen also actively works events as a medic, bringing extensive sports experience and firsthand perspective into how our team trains and operates.
He doesn’t just help set the standard—he works within it.
Dr. Kevin Sipprell, Medical director
Dr. Sipprell is a board-certified emergency physician and serves as the medical director for Smith EMS.
With decades of experience in emergency medicine and EMS leadership, he provides clinical oversight, training direction, and protocol guidance to ensure Smith EMS operates in alignment with established medical standards.
His involvement strengthens the clinical foundation behind every decision made in the field.
Meet the Board…
Smith EMS is supported by an experienced advisory board that plays a vital role in our ongoing growth and innovation.
From strategic planning to operational refinement, our board members bring deep expertise that helps shape the future of our organization.
Phil Kivel
With over 25 years of experience in public safety and emergency medical services, this advisor brings operational depth, field-tested expertise, and regulatory knowledge to the Smith EMS advisory board. His career has spanned 911 ambulance response, court security for Hennepin County, and now active service with the Minnetonka Fire Department. He is also the founder of Apollo Medical Training, a leading provider of CPR, First Aid, EMR, and EMT certification courses for both first responders and community members across Minnesota.
Phil’s unique blend of frontline EMS work, public service, and medical education gives him a broad perspective on safety, professionalism, and compliance. He offers hands-on guidance in building effective training pipelines, maintaining certification standards, and preparing medics to handle real-world scenarios with competence and care. His leadership plays a critical role in ensuring Smith EMS operates with integrity, readiness, and a deep commitment to the communities we serve.
Dean Jones
A seasoned entrepreneur and technology leader, this advisor brings over 25 years of experience helping organizations harness innovation for strategic growth. As the founder of PowerObjects, he built the company from the ground up, scaling it to 300 employees and nearly $50 million in revenue before its successful acquisition. He holds a degree in Business from the Carlson School of Management, with a focus in Marketing and a minor in Economics. With deep expertise in using technology to drive operational efficiency and scale, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the strategic foundation of Smith EMS.
Now retired, he devotes his time to outdoor adventure—hiking, biking, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, kiteboarding, and exploring the world. He’s equally passionate about empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs, having volunteered nearly a decade as a mentor to young business leaders. His combination of strategic insight, technical acumen, and mentorship experience makes him a critical voice on the Smith EMS advisory board as we continue to grow with purpose and professionalism.