Director Bios

Walter Adler, EMTP, B.A., M.A.

PRESIDENT, CHAIR

Walter Adler has served 22 years in EMS. That includes Transcare, Midwood, FDNY EMS, Cataldo, SCEMS, RCA, Assist, GRM, Bronxcare, Montefiore, Cityblock, and NYU Langone. He has worked in a training or consultant capacity for EMS in Haiti, Iraq, and Syria. Currently an 1199SEIU Delegate for NYU EMS. JD Candidate at CUNY Law. Founding member of the EMSPAC 501(c)3.

David Besprozvany, EMT, B.S.

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

David has served as an EMT with Maimonides, Northwell, and currently with the Central Park Medical Unit. He is a dispatcher with Cityblock Health and an aspiring future physician. A founder of the EMSPAC 501(c)4, David has been heavily involved with planning and implementation of the EMSPAC efforts, serving on the Steering Committee since 2022.

Karessa Abe, B.A.

SECRETARY-TREASURER

Vice President of Finance

Karessa Abe holds a B.A. in Communications from SUNY Albany. She is Deputy Director at the Greater Ridgewood Development Council and a former Public School STEM instructor. She has been the EMSPAC 501(c)3 Treasurer since 2024. She has been the ‘Third Service’ Editor in Chief since 2021. A founding member of the EMSPAC 501(c) (3), she has served for five years on the First Administration Steering Committee, primarily in communications-related and graphic design roles.

Ovadia Choueka, EMTP, CIC

SECRETARY-TREASURER

Vice President of  Finance

An active 1199SEIU delegate for Jamaica Hospital, where he works as a Paramedic, a CIC at CAHE, and a private businessman in the healthcare supplies industry, Ovadia is a founding member of the 501(c)4 PAC team.

Aaron Weiss, EMT

VICE PRESIDENT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Dedicated Chaplain | Law Enforcement Advisor | Community & Government Relations Expert

I am an ambitious and motivated professional committed to providing sound advice and counsel to law enforcement, government officials, and communities during times of crisis and unrest. With a strong background in emergency crisis management and community relations, I specialize in fostering trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.  Founding member of the EMSPAC 501(c)3, he has served for 5 years on the First Administration.

Sidney Castiblanco, EMTP

SECRETARY GENERAL

Sideny Castiblanco has served 18 years with the FDNY EMS and is currently an instructor at the Bureau of Training. He has been on the EMSPAC Steering Committee as Queens Division leader for over 4 years.

Josette Santana, EMT

VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

Josette Santana served 20 years as an EMT in the Bronx and Brooklyn, with experience at FDNY EMS, Mentorcare, Transare, and SCEMS. A proud mother of four and grandmother, she has worked alongside countless dedicated EMTs, medics, medical professionals, police officers, and firefighters. Drawing on this experience, she is now committed to working with both longtime colleagues and the next generation of first responders to strengthen solidarity and unite EMS professionals across the nation.

Leib Mozyrskiy, EMTP

VICE PRESIDENT OF TECHNOLOGY & LOGISTICS

Leib has served in EMS since 2021, starting as an EMT and advancing to Paramedic. He has experience in 911, IFT, Event, and Specialty transport, providing compassionate, skilled care. With prior experience in the tech industry, he brings innovation and problem-solving to EMSPAC. He is committed to professional growth, teamwork, and advancing the field of prehospital medicine.

Jesse Stephen, EMT

FOR VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS

Vice President of Lobbying Operations (Brooklyn & Staten Island).

Jesse Stephen has served 16 years predominantly in Brooklyn EMS. He has 13 years with FDNY EMS and is currently campaigning to be Vice President of DC-37, Local 2507. Active in the Crisis to Care budget initiative to get $1 million for REMSCO Peer support from the City Council, he has met with numerous Council members and their staff to champion EMS issues.   He is actively deployed to FDNY EMS Station 31 in Brooklyn. 

Tom Herrera, EMT

VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS

Vice President of Lobbying Operations (Manhattan & Bronx)

A New York City EMT for Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital with over twenty years of service, now serving as EMSPAC’s Vice President of Lobbying. He fights for pay parity with the NYPD and the FDNY, emphasizing that fair wages are vital to resolving the EMS staffing crisis. Tom also champions mental health initiatives to combat PTSD, which affects many EMS providers. He is dedicated to collaborating with New York City Council and State Senate leaders to advance these essential policies.

Stacey Esparra, EMT

VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS

Vice President of Lobbying for Bronx and Queens 

With more than 23 years of experience as an EMT, both professionally and as a volunteer with Glen Oaks Volunteer Ambulance Corps (GOVAC), Stacy has dedicated her career to patient care and strengthening the EMS community. A committed member of EMSPAC, she advocates for fair compensation, improved working conditions, and greater recognition for EMTs and paramedics. As a candidate for Vice President of Lobbying for the Bronx and Queens, she brings extensive field experience, strong community relationships, and a proven record of advocacy. Her focus is on amplifying EMS voices, building partnerships with local leaders, and advancing legislation that promotes safety, respect, and fair pay for all EMS professionals.

Malgorzata Brzakalsha, EMT, B.A., M.P.A.

VICE PRESIDENT OF POLICY 

Malgorzata Brzakalska is an emergency management and business continuity professional with over a decade of experience in federal, healthcare, and private sectors. A former Assist Ambulance and NewYork-Presbyterian EMT, published author, and policy strategist for EMSPAC, she now serves as an Emergency and Continuity Planner at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), leading its Business Continuity and COOP programs. A recipient of the 2024 NCI Director’s Award and 2021 NIH Director’s Award, she is recognized for her leadership in preparedness, crisis communication, and interagency coordination during major events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Holding an MPA in Emergency and Disaster Management and certifications as a CBCP and APIO, Malgorzata continues to advance public safety, organizational resilience, and equitable policy advocacy nationwide.

Michael O’Connor, EMT

VICE PRESIDENT OF ORGANIZING

Active Assist Ambulance EMT, a pre-med student at City College, and a front-line labor organizer with 1199SEIU. An EMT for 8 years now, since 2017. He works for Assist Ambulance-Bronx base, and played a major role in the Organizing Committee for Assist employees’ 1199 campaign.  Currently in Junior Year of an undergraduate degree at City College of New York (CCNY), majoring in Psychology with a double minor in Chemistry and Health Justice. He is also an Honours Student and a fellow of the Colin Powell Fellowship for Leadership and Public Service.