A new leadership team will take charge of the Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority on July 1.
During a regularly scheduled meeting last week, the KCEAA Board of Directors appointed former Kanawha County Commissioner Lance Wheeler as executive director and named longtime employee Jason Sergent as deputy director.
The leadership transition comes about two months after the agency faced intense public scrutiny following the death of 45-year-old John Lucas of Elkview. Authorities said Lucas died after he was struck by a KCEAA ambulance driven by a 19-year-old employee and was dragged for more than a mile. The driver later pleaded guilty to felony charges related to Lucas' death.
Former KCEAA Executive Director Monica Mason resigned abruptly in May amid fallout and intense scrutiny from Lucas's death. Mason served as the agency's director for nearly 10 years.
After announcing the appointment of Wheeler and Sergent last week, KCEAA board members said the pair will lead the agency into its next chapter while building on its emergency medical services mission.
Wheeler stepped down from the Kanawha County Commission to accept the leadership role. He previously served as president of the commission.
As executive director, Wheeler will oversee the agency's operations, long-term planning and workforce, including emergency medical technicians, paramedics and support staff.
The board said Wheeler's move reflects his commitment to serving Kanawha Valley residents and keeping the ambulance authority prepared to answer emergency calls. His priorities include maintaining strong emergency response services and supporting the agency's long-term operational and financial stability.
Sergent will begin his new role as deputy director after spending more than 30 years with KCEAA.
He started his career as an emergency medical technician before becoming a paramedic. Over the years, he advanced through several leadership positions, including captain, chief, director of operations and interim director.
As deputy director, Sergent will help manage daily operations, support Wheeler during the leadership transition and work with staff across the agency's 13 stations.
The KCEAA Board of Directors said the appointments combine public leadership with decades of hands-on emergency medical experience.
"These two appointments represent the very best of what public safety leadership can be," agency officials said in a statement. "We have every confidence that this team will carry KCEAA's legacy forward with integrity, operational excellence, and an unwavering commitment to those we serve."
