Meet Our Team
Joe Witz
Lead Instructor
Joe Witz has been a firefighter paramedic since 2013, using his real-life experience to teach others how to save lives. As Lead Instructor at Illinois Safety, Joe is dedicated to making sure his students are prepared and confident in handling emergencies. His teaching style is hands-on and practical, ensuring that every participant feels ready to take action when it matters most. Joe’s passion for safety and helping others drives his mission to train individuals and organizations to be better prepared. Outside of teaching, Joe continues to serve as a fulltime firefighter paramedic and enjoys giving back to his community through volunteer work.
Maggie W.
Operations Manager
Maggie Witz, a registered nurse with a BSN since 2016, is the daily operations manager and co-owner of Illinois Safety. In her role, she oversees the scheduling, coordination of classes, and overall customer experience, ensuring smooth operations and top-quality training. Maggie is dedicated to creating a positive learning environment where students feel supported and confident. Her attention to detail and commitment to safety help Illinois Safety maintain its high standards in CPR and first aid training. Maggie’s passion for health, safety, and education drives her to ensure every student is prepared for real-life emergencies.
Doug L.
Doug is a retired Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) and ICU Registered Nurse (RN) with over 25 years of experience in critical care. His extensive background in healthcare brings valuable insight to the Illinois Safety team. In his free time, Doug enjoys fishing and exploring the world of aquaponics, combining his love for nature with sustainable practices.
Tim S.
Tim has been a dedicated firefighter and paramedic since 2018, bringing valuable skills and experience to the Illinois Safety team. Outside of work, Tim enjoys cooking and working on car modifications, blending his creativity with his technical expertise.
Adriana G.
Adriana G graduated from Elmhurst University with a major in Nursing and a minor in Psychology. A registered nurse since 2015, Adriana has been working as an ICU nurse and a member of the hospital’s “code team” since 2021. She is also a “Code Blue” educator, helping train others in life-saving emergency protocols. In her free time, Adriana enjoys immersing herself in a good book.
Lewis D.
Lewis Downs holds two associate degrees from Waubonsee Community College and is currently pursuing a degree in Public Safety Management from Southern Illinois University. He has been serving as a firefighter since 2013 and became a paramedic in 2021. In his downtime, Lewis enjoys spending quality time with his wife and son, finding balance between work and family life.
Nick P.
Nick began his career as a police officer before transitioning to firefighting and emergency medical services in 2016. As a firefighter and EMT, he brings a unique perspective to the Illinois Safety team. Outside of work, Nick enjoys playing hockey and spending quality time with family and friends.
Derek P.
Derek began his career as a firefighter and paramedic in Iowa in 2011 before returning to Illinois in 2013. His experience in both states adds valuable depth to his work with Illinois Safety. In his free time, Derek enjoys traveling and spending quality time with his family.
Jose A.
Jose became a firefighter and paramedic in 2016, gaining experience across multiple fire departments in both full-time and part-time roles. Outside of work, Jose loves spending time with his wife and newborn daughter, cherishing family moments.
Brandon R.
Brandon began his career as a firefighter/paramedic in 2018 and transitioned to focusing solely on paramedic work in 2022. His deep knowledge and experience in emergency medical care make him a key contributor to the Illinois Safety team.
Rogelio R.
Rogelio has been serving as a firefighter and paramedic since 2018. In addition to his work in emergency services, he enjoys working with and training K9s, blending his passion for public safety with his love for animals.
Kevin W.
Kevin has been a dedicated firefighter and paramedic since 2011. He holds a BA in Fire Science from Grand Valley State University. An outdoor enthusiast, Kevin has set a personal goal of visiting every national park in the country.
Ulisses M.
Ulisses has been working as a paramedic since 2018 and transitioned to firefighter/paramedic in 2020. He is passionate about his role in emergency services and enjoys traveling in his free time, exploring new places and cultures.
Jenna G.
Jenna began her career as a registered nurse in labor and delivery in 2017, gaining invaluable experience before transitioning to education in 2021. She is passionate about teaching and sharing her knowledge with others. In her free time, Jenna enjoys traveling with her family, creating lasting memories together.
Holly K.
Holly has been a registered nurse since 2018, with previous experience in Labor and Delivery. She loves spending time outdoors and enjoys camping, embracing the beauty of nature during her free time.
Nate G.
A graduate of the College of DuPage, Nate has been a firefighter since 2020 and a paramedic since 2019. In addition to their dedication to emergency services, Nate enjoys traveling, hiking, and working out, staying active both in and outside of work.
Kim E.
Kim graduated with her MSN from DePaul University and has been a Critical Care RN at the University of Chicago since 2018. In her free time, she enjoys playing guitar and reading, making the most of her days off.
Audrie K.
Audrie is a BSN, RN, with board certification in Medical-Surgical Nursing. She combines her clinical expertise with her passion for education as both a practicing nurse and a college professor. In her free time, Audrie enjoys traveling the U.S. with her husband and their two small kids, creating cherished family memories.
Mike O.
Mike has been serving as a firefighter and EMT since 2020, bringing a strong commitment to public safety. He comes from a family full of first responders, which has instilled in him a deep respect for the profession and a desire to make a difference in his community.
Florencio H.
Florencio holds a BSN from Chicago State University and brings over 11 years of nursing experience across emergency departments, trauma units, ICUs, critical care transport (CCT), and as a flight nurse. In his spare time, Florencio enjoys woodworking, finding creativity and craftsmanship in his projects.
Jordan F.
Jordan F has been serving as a firefighter/paramedic since 2020 and is also a skilled AED Technician. In his free time, Jordan enjoys playing baseball, staying active both on and off the field.
Valarie B.
Valarie has been a registered nurse for 15 years and holds a Master of Science in Nursing. In her downtime, she enjoys spending time with her son and dog, binge-watching TV shows, and attending sporting events and concerts.
Heather J.
Heather graduated with a BSN from Aurora University and began her nursing career in 2010. She enjoys staying active through running, hiking, and cycling, as well as exploring new places through travel.
Amy G.
Amy has been a dedicated nurse for 7 years, spending 3 years in Med Surg and the last 4 years as an ICU nurse. In addition to her clinical work, she serves as a clinical instructor for local college nursing students. In her free time, Amy loves to travel and explore new places.
Nick G.
Nick G has been a firefighter/EMT since 2020. Outside of work, he enjoys staying active through working out, playing hockey, and practicing jiu-jitsu.
Kyra K.
Kyra holds a Bachelor's in Psychology and earned her MSN from UIC in 2022. She has experience working in the ER. In her free time, Kyra loves trying new restaurants and experiencing different cultures through their foods.
Kellen K.
Kellen has been a firefighter since 2019. Before his firefighting career, he was a semipro baseball player, competing internationally in Germany, Czech Republic, Sweden, and Australia.
Jonathan D.
Jonathan (Jony) is a dedicated Registered Nurse who graduated from Waubonsee Community College. After spending three years in Human Resources, Jony transitioned into nursing in January 2024, bringing a unique perspective and a passion for patient care. Outside of work, Jony enjoys staying active by working out and loves to explore new places through travel, constantly seeking new experiences both professionally and personally.
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