In addition to the principal, James T. Steffens, The JTS Association maintains an active affiliation with a team of practicing fire service professionals from throughout the country. It is important to note that this cadre of associates includes a wide range of fire service professionals with specialized experience in developing and conducting the range of services provided by The JTS Association.

Whenever The JTS Association is contemplating the undertaking a program or project a team of associates is identified and selected in order to bring the essential educational and experiential backgrounds to bear on the proposed project / program.

A brief summary of the background and qualifications of several of these individuals is provided for review. Upon request, the names and detailed resumes of any of the associates can be provided.

Lisa Hart
President and Chief Administrative Officer

With nearly 25 years of fire service experience, Lisa has been affiliated with the firm since 2002 starting as an associate, senior associate and in early 2006 being designated the Chief Administrative officer Officer of the organization. CAO Hart was active in the fire service with both a large rural county as well as the Gainesville Fire Rescue Department until her retirement in 2002. During the latter part of her fire service career, she served as the Logistics Officer for the department and was involved in all aspects of supplies, and equipment.

Prior to starting her fire service career Lisa was trained and participated in childhood education and development activities and worked with a number of schools in this capacity. She continued her educational efforts after joining the fire service through the delivery of public education programs; including teaching fire and life safety education through the art of clowning.

Since joining the organization Mrs. Hart has been involved in all aspects of the firm's activities including the development and delivery of a wide variety of employing and promotional processes as well as directing the firm's administrative functions.

Phil Bailey
Senior Associate

Phil began his fire service career in 1975 and served as a line officer on both an engine and truck company for over twelve (12) years before transferring to the training division of his department. Phil is a Florida certified Fire Officer I, Fire Inspector, and Fire Instructor III. He regularly instructs fire pumps and hydraulics both in Florida as well as other locations throughout the eastern US.  Since his retirement from a municipal department in 2008 he has been appointed as the In-Service Program Coordinator at the Fire Training Center for St. Petersburg College.  In this capacity he develops, obtains, and facilitates seminars and programs as a component of the college’s Fire Science Program.

He holds an AS degree in Fire Science from Hillsborough Community College and a BA degree in Organizational Studies with a concentration in public safety from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. A published author, Phil has been a member of the International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI) as well as the Florida chapter since 1986. He has attended the National Fire Academy numerous times attending both managerial as well as operational courses.  He is currently an adjunct instructor for Command & Control of Incident Operations and Command & Control at Target Hazards at the National Fire Academy.

He initially associated with The JTS Association over ten years ago and serves as the chief assessor for all driver engineer / operator assessments conducted.  Since being affiliated with the firm Phil has served as a project manager, assessor, subject matter expert, and role player for a variety of employing and promotional processes conducted by the organization.

Chief (ret.) Edward A. Cleveland, EFO
Vice President and Executive Associate

Chief Cleveland has been associated with the organization for several years and is involved in all aspects of the firm's activities. These range from participating in promotional assessments for both fire and police agencies, delivering a variety of training programs, preparing salary and benefit studies, and assisting in the development of strategic plans for fire and emergency service organizations.

Ed has more than 40 years in the emergency service profession and served with as the West  Manatee Fire Rescue Department in Manatee County Florida beginning in 1977 and completing his service as Fire Chief from 1986 until his retirement in 1997.  During his fire service career Chief Cleveland was very active in local, state, and national organizations including service on the Board of Directors for the International Society of Fire Service Instructors and as President of the Florida Chapter of ISFSI.  Ed has been a sought after speaker on firefighter safety and fire officer leadership and management. He is well known for his keynote and motivational presentations. Ed has authored numerous articles and columns in professional journals and magazines.

Since his retirement Ed was appointed as the senior consultant for National Fire & Rescue Magazine headquartered in Raleigh, NC. He continued his public service activity as a State Trooper with the Florida Highway Patrol Auxiliary.  He completed his training and certification as a Florida law enforcement officer before retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel and Commander of Troop F.

BARRY ASHMAN
Associate

He started his fire service career in 1983 as a volunteer for the Iona McGregor Fire District.  He was hired full time by Iona in 1985 and has risen through the ranks to Battalion Chief.  Barry currently holds a BAS Degree Public Safety Administration from Edison State College in Ft Myers, Florida and is currently pursuing a Masters in Arts and Administration Degree from Barry University.  He holds a variety of state certifications from Florida including Fire Service Instructor III, Inspector, EMT, Incident Safety Officer and USAR Type 4 Operations level. Barry has appeared in four videos for Working Fire from April 1997-1999, showcasing some intricate details for drafting water with a Fire Apparatus. He is considered a Subject Matter Expert (SME) by his peers in a multitude of fire service topics.

Barry became affiliated with the organization is 2004 and has served in a variety of positions including facilitator, role player, and assessor.

Paul Hill
Associate

Paul began his fire service career in 1967. He served City of Seminole Fire and Rescue (Pinellas County, Florida) as Assistant Chief from 1986 until his retirement in 2004. Paul also served in a variety of positions including Fire Marshall and Operations Chief during his tenure.

He holds an AS degree in Fire Administration from St. Pete College and a BS degree in Education from USF, Tampa , Florida. He has attended the National Fire Academy numerous times participating managerial, operational, and EFO courses.

Prior to and since associating with the firm Paul has been involved in all aspects of assessment centers. He has participated in both fire and law enforcement promotional processes in a variety of roles including facilitator and role player since joining the firm.

Noreen Hollman
Associate

Noreen has over 20 years of fire service experience and is currently a company officer for a fire district in Manatee County, Florida.  In addition to her position as Lieutenant she also serves on a regular basis as an Acting Battalion Chief.  Noreen has served as the fire coordinator for the Sara-Mana Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) team for eight (8) years.

She became affiliated with the firm in 2005 and since that time has participated in both fire and law enforcement promotional assessments in a variety of roles including facilitator, role player, and assessor.

The combination of extensive promotional assessment experience, in depth knowledge of the firm's principal, and the varied range of experience of the associates of the firm provide any potential client with the highest level of service possible. Specifically the principal and the associates are actively involved with the fire and emergency service community and maintain a currency with trends and happenings in the profession. Together these pertinent aspects are brought to bear on any specific assignment given to the firm.

He began his fire service career in 1989 as a volunteer for the Cape Canaveral Volunteer Fire Department.  He was hired full time by the City of Cocoa as a Firefighter / EMT in 1991 where he currently serves as an Engine Company Lieutenant.  Mark holds an AS Degree in Fire Science Technology from Brevard Community College, a BA in Criminal Justice from C.W. Post University, and an MA in Management and Leadership from Webster University.  He holds a variety of state certifications including Instructor III, Fire Officer II, Firesafety Inspector and Paramedic.

Mark starting teaching at Brevard Community College's Fire Science program in 1997 and currently teaches recruits and special operations programs. He has been teaching marine firefighting since 1998 at the Port Canaveral Maritime Academy and has trained maritime professionals ranging from the Department of Defense to the cruise-line industry.

Mark joined the firm in 2008 and has participated in a variety of promotional assessments as a role player, operational scenario facilitator, and assessor.

Greg started his fire service career in 1985 with the City of Seminole Fire Rescue Department in Pinellas County, Florida and since 1995 he has served as a District Chief for the department. Greg holds a BS Degree in Health Education, graduating from Ohio State University in 1976. He has been a teacher at the high school level and has maintained his paramedic certification since 1976. Throughout his career Greg has completed numerous incident command classes at the National Fire Academy.  He brings considerable experience in emergency operations and incident management to the firm, as well as knowledge and experience with strategic planning, fire department accreditation, preplanning, and emergency preparedness. 

Greg became affiliated with the firm in 2008 and has participated in a variety of fire promotional assessments serving as a role player, facilitator, and assessor.