Spirit
OF
ANGEL MEDFLIGHT WORLDWIDE AIR AMBULANCE
“I started Angel MedFlight because I am passionate about improving air medical transport for our patients and their families, but the continued success of the company is a reflection of our dedicated staff.” — Jeremy Freer, CEO and founder, Angel MedFlight Worldwide Air Ambulance, with Kim Halloran, director of business development, and James Curtin, associate general counsel
Working as a critical care flight paramedic in 2007, Jeremy Freer was frustrated by the overwhelmed, inefficient system that often stranded patients in need of air medical transport. Confident that he could improve the process, he decided to launch his own air ambulance company to transport critically ill or injured patients in medically configured jets between healthcare facilities. Despite his relevant experience and passion for patient care, investors considered Jeremy too young and inexperienced. Undeterred, he funded the launch of Angel MedFlight with personal credit cards and loans, amassing nearly a million dollars in debt. Today, just four years later, his company is one of the fastest-growing privately-held firms in Arizona. Angel MedFlight stands apart from its competitors in a number of ways. Says Kim Halloran, director of business development, “Our One Touch Promise reflects our singular focus on the patient’s care. Our
E NTERPRISE F INALISTS
flight coordinators, who are themselves case managers or registered nurses, handle all of the details of the patient’s transfer. That really takes the burden off the patient’s case manager and family.” Angel MedFlight was also the first air ambulance organization with an in-house legal department to assist patients with insurance claims. “We work hard to get our patients the coverage to which they’re entitled. Without experts on their side, many of these patients would simply not be able to get where they need to be.”
Name of business: Angel MedFlight Worldwide Air Ambulance Nature of business: Transportation for critically ill or injured patients between healthcare facilities domestically and internationally Address: 8014 E. McClain, Suite 220, Scottsdale, Ariz., 85260 Web: www.angelmedflight.com Founded: 2007 Number of employees: 46
DUNN TRANSPORTATION OLLIE THE TROLLEY
“At 21 years old, behind the wheel of a 30-foot trolley, driving the Scottsdale resort route, I realized my passion. And I knew I had to go out on my own.” — Margaret Dunn, CEO, Dunn Transportation/Ollie the Trolley, center, with Susan Bookspan, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, left, and Melissa Schubert, director of operations
In college at ASU in 1983, Margaret Dunn needed a job. A friend saw that Molly Trolley was hiring and recommended Margaret check it out. She got the job, and “without much training” took her seat behind the wheel of the 30-foot trolley in Old Town Scottsdale. And then her part-time job turned into a passion. In 1986, Dunn decided “I simply had to build and run a trolley business on my own.” So at 21 years old, with $65,000 from her brother, she moved to Omaha, Neb., and started Ollie the Trolley. At first, it was a one-woman show in the truest sense of the word. “I was the driver, the cleaner, the oil changer, the ad executive, the reservations agent, the customer service manager, the bookkeeper. And I loved it.” In 1991, Dunn moved the company to Scottsdale, taking over the Molly Trolley contract. Building and maintaining close relationships with clients has been a key element in the company’s success. It’s one
factor that Dunn credits for enabling her to succeed in what was, in 1986 anyway, largely a man’s business. To this day, customers get hand-written thank-you notes and $5 coffee cards. In 2008, Dunn “finally” returned to ASU to finish her education. “It was in one of my classes that Rosemary the Trolley was born.” Named after her mother, Rosemary connects center city youth to nature and to other fun and educational opportunities. To date, she has transported more than 2,000 kids to the Phoenix Zoo, Audubon Arizona, the Desert Botanical Garden, and other local spots. Name of business: Dunn Transportation/Ollie the Trolley Nature of business: Passenger transportation service on daily routes for transit and private charters Address: 1680 N. 74th St., Scottsdale, Ariz., 85258 Web: www.dunntransportation.com Founded: 1986 Number of employees: 55 AB | November-December 2011 99