Administrative Staff
Joey Cooper
Director
Joey started with Wilson County Emergency Management Agency in October 1989. Joey was promoted to Lieutenant on 1995 and Shift Commander in 1999. Joey served as Shift Commander for A shift for 15 years prior to being appointed Director in November 2013. He accepts the Director position with a strong background in Emergency Medical Services, Fire Suppression, Hazardous Materials, and Emergency Management.
Jeremy Hobbs
Fire Chief
Jeremy started Wilson County Emergency Management Agency in 1997 as a volunteer and started full time shift in 2000. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2004, A shift Commander in 2014 and Chief of Fire in 2016. Jeremy is an Advanced EMT, Firefighter, Rescue Diver, Swift Water Technician, and Hazardous Materials Technician. He holds certifications as a Fire Instructor and Vehicle Extrication Instructor. Jeremy is responsible for Fire, Rescue and Special Operations within the Department. Jeremy is part of the newly formed Incident Management team for Middle Tennessee.
Brian Newberry
EMS Chief/Deputy Director
Brian started with Wilson County Emergency Management Agency in August 1990. He is a Paramedic, Fire Fighter, Hazardous Materials Technician, and Tactical Paramedic. Brian has several instructor certifications including EMT. He served as the Training Officer from 1999 to 2010 and as a tactical paramedic with the Wilson County Sheriff’s Department from 2001 til present. Brian was promoted to EMS Chief September 2010. Brian is responsible for all EMS operations within the Department.
Shannon Cooper
Division Chief
Shannon started with Wilson County Emergency Management Agency in 2005. She is a Paramedic, Fire Fighter, and Haz-Mat Specialist. Shannon has full time responsibilities of instructing and/or managing classes in Emergency Medical Services, Fire Suppression, Rescue, Water Rescue, and Hazardous Materials. She has numerous instructor certifications that allow us to bring high quality courses to the training division. Shannon is part of the newly formed Incident Management team for Middle Tennessee. She serves as the Operations Division Chief and oversees Personnel and Operations for our department.
Marty Heckman
Division Chief
Marty started with Wilson County Emergency Management Agency in 1997 as a volunteer. Marty started full time as Captain in 2004. He is an Advanced EMT, Fire Fighter, and Hazards Materials Technician. Marty serves as the Logistics Division Chief and oversees of the Volunteer and Communications Division.
Daniel Cowan
Fire Marshal
Daniel serves as the Fire Marshal for Wilson County EMA, bringing a wealth of experience to the role. Prior to this position, he worked as the Planning Specialist, contributing to the department's preparedness and coordination efforts. Before joining the administrative team, Daniel served as a firefighter and EMT on the road for many years, where he gained firsthand experience in emergency response. He has been a part of our department since 1995.
Tamara Felts
Planning Specialist
Tamara started as a volunteer for Wilson County Emergency Management Agency for 7 years before being hired full time in 1993. She was promoted to Lieutenant in 1997 and Planning Specialist in 2023. She is dedicated to her community by being involved in many nonprofit organizations, while also holding her Fire Investigator and Fire Inspector Licenses.
James Copas
"A" Shift Commander
James is a Navy Veteran having served in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He started with Wilson County Emergency Management Agency in 2004 as a dispatcher, moving to shift in 2006. James was promoted to Lieutenant in 2012 and appointed Shift Commander in 2016. He is an AEMT, Firefighter, Fire Instructor, Fire Officer, and HazMat Technician. He oversees daily operations for A shift.
Lee Bowling
"B" Shift Commander
Lee started with Wilson County Emergency Management Agency in 1993. Lee started as a dispatcher in 1993, went to full time on C shift in 1994. Lee is a Paramedic, Fire Fighter and Haz-Mat Technician. Lee was promoted to Lieutenant in 2000 and appointed Shift Commander of B shift in 2004. He oversees daily operations for B shift.
Eric Eldridge
"C" Shift Commander
Eric has been with Wilson County Emergency Management Agency for 25 years. He holds a Masters Degree in Homeland Security and a Bachelors Degree in Fire Administration and investigation. He holds an AEMT license, Hazmat Specialist and Hazmat Instructor, as well as a Fire Instructor and Fire Officer. Eric was promoted to Lieutenant in 2003, Captain in 2018 and appointed Shift Commander in 2023. He oversees daily operations for C shift.
John Hiett
Compliance Specialist
John began his career at Wilson County EMA in August 2013, after spending three years as a paramedic with Smith County EMA. He launched his journey in firefighting at the age of 21 as a volunteer. John holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Tennessee Technological University and has earned a Critical Care Paramedic license, as well as Paramedic Instructor/Coordinator credentials from the State of Tennessee. Additionally, he is a certified Hazmat Technician and Instructor, and a Fire Officer and Instructor, among other qualifications.
Jay Cook
M.E Investigator
Medical Examiner Jay Cook has been an integral part of Wilson County EMA since 1999, contributing his expertise and dedication to our department. In late 2023, he officially joined our department as the Lead Medical Examiner.
Suzanne McKinney
Finance Manager
Suzanne started with Wilson County Emergency Management Agency in June 2015. She was hired as a full time billing coordinator in our billing department. Suzanne, who holds a Business and Finance degree (BBA) from Cumberland University was promoted to Finance Manager in June 2018. The Finance Manger oversees all financial needs and purchases for the department, payroll needs, and all accounts payable and receivable. She assist in budget planning and needs assessments for our department. She also remains an active participant in our local chamber of commerce and sits on the panel for CASA, a local child advocate group.
Maegan Eldridge
Executive Assistant/PIO
Maegan started her career with Wilson County Emergency Management Agency part-time in September of 2008 before going full-time in January 2010 in our Dispatch Center. Late 2023 she was promoted to Executive Assistant/ PIO(public information officer).
Robert Boissonneault
EMS Captain
Robby Boissonneault serves as the EMS Administrative Captain for Wilson County EMA, bringing dedication and expertise to his role. He joined our department in 2010 as a paramedic and has since transitioned to administration, where he oversees EMS operations. Robby plays a vital role in ensuring our trucks and equipment are up-to-date and ready to serve the community.
Danny Clark
Fire Captain
Danny Clark serves as the Fire Administrative Captain for Wilson County EMA, bringing years of experience and leadership to the role. He joined our administrative team last year but has been a member of the department since 1998, serving as an EMT, firefighter, and captain on the engine. Danny's long-standing commitment to the community and wealth of experience make him an invaluable part of our team.
Adrian McNabb
Training Captain
Adrian McNabb joined Wilson County EMA in 1999. He began his career as a paramedic, later advancing to the rank of captain. Adrian has since transitioned to the administrative team as the Training Administrative Captain, where he plays a crucial role in overseeing department training and contributing to many other key areas of operation.
Adam Spears
Logistics Supervisor
Adam Spears has been a part of our department since 2006. He previously served as our Communications Manager, Adam now brings his expertise to the administrative team as the Logistics Manager, where he oversees the managing and coordinating of the department's resources and supplies.
Melissa Sizemore
Meteorologist
Melissa began her career at Wilson County EMA in February 2025, after spending over a decade in the field of emergency management throughout the southeast. She has a Bachelors Degree in Geography with a concentration in Meteorology from Western Kentucky University, and will graduate in May 2025 with a Masters Degree in Homeland Security Sciences. Melissa received her Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) designation through the International Association of Emergency Managers in 2020, is a graduate of the National Emergency Management Advanced Academy, and currently serves on the board of directors of the National Weather Association through 2027.