Summer Black joined our team at Roco in September of 2024. She brings extensive experience in logistics and supply chain management to her role supporting our rescue training courses. As she gets more familiar with Roco, Summer is excited to chart her own path within the company, aiming to assist other departments and explore ways to optimize processes and achieve cost savings.

Before joining Roco, Summer spent most of her career in logistics where she developed a broad skill set. She’s adept at turning creative ideas into executable plans—whether it’s designing and engineering consumer packaging, managing inventory, or handling distribution logistics. Summer’s work has always involved project management, ensuring smooth operations across all phases, from concept to completion. Her hands-on approach and high-level understanding of business operations have made her an invaluable asset in every role she’s held.

In addition to her professional experience, Summer holds several certifications, including Certified Professional Logistician (CPL) and Certified in Logistics, Transportation, and Distribution (CLTD), both through the ASCM. She’s also the proud recipient of the 2021 Schneider Jump Start (Safety) Award.

Outside of work, Summer is a devoted Saints fan. Her family has been season ticket holders for over 15 years, and they’re on a mission to visit all 32 NFL stadiums. Recently celebrating her 20th wedding anniversary, Summer enjoys traveling with her family, playing adult kickball, attending concerts, and catching Broadway shows in Baton Rouge. Volunteering is also close to her heart—she’s worked with the Baton Rouge Food Bank and sponsors foster children.

Originally from Shreveport, LA, Summer now calls South Baton Rouge home, where she and her husband, Jayson, are the proud parents of an expensive LSU Freshman, Reese.

Craig Phillips brings a deep well of experience and leadership to Roco Rescue. Starting as a crew member in March 2020, his dedication quickly propelled him to his current positions as a CSRT Crew Chief and Instructor.

Craig’s career foundation was built in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served as an infantryman and squad leader during two combat tours in Iraq. There, he led reconnaissance operations, conducted patrols, and trained his team in tactical planning and emergency preparedness.

His time in the military developed his ability to remain calm and decisive under pressure—qualities that now define his roles at Roco. Following his military service, Craig joined the Ridgeland, MS Fire Department, where he was an EMT and a member of the dive rescue team.

Craig is passionate about watching rescuers grow—not only in their technical rescue skills but also in their ability to work cohesively and think critically during high-stakes operations. Craig takes pride in building confidence within the teams he trains, preparing them for the complexities they will face in the field.

Away from work, Craig is devoted to his family. He and his wife, Katie, a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), live in Brandon, MS with their three children—Grant, Lily Belle, and Garrison—who are all actively involved in sports.

Craig spends much of his free time coaching his kids and attending their games, and he enjoys family outings on the water. Watching his children grow both spiritually and mentally brings him a sense of fulfillment that mirrors the pride he feels in his professional life.

Whether at home or at work, Craig is dedicated to fostering growth, development, and teamwork in those around him.

From CSRT Crew Member to CSRT Crew Chief, Tom Romero rose quickly through the ranks working for Roco Rescue and well as his 23-year career with the Albuquerque Fire Department. Since 1994, he has worked for Roco utilizing his rescue skills and vast knowledge and experience from the AFD. He retired from the department as a Battalion Chief.

Tom states that, “Working at Roco has helped me develop and practice strong communication and leadership skills. I have benefited from my fire service career in addition to working for the private sector with my rescue assignments. As I see it, Roco is a lifesaving organization. This is best illustrated by our commitment to provide the best possible awareness of the inherent hazards we face in protecting those who enter confined spaces.”

Tom’s credentials and experience are commendable. From being selected as Firefighter of the Year in 1986 to being awarded the AFD’s medal of Distinguished Service for his part in a high-profile swift water rescue of a police officer and teenage boy, both of whom had been swept away in a flash flood. In addition, Tom holds technician level certifications in Haz-Mat, Confined Space, Rope Rescue and Wildland Fire. Tom is also a National Registry Paramedic, who provided immediate medical care for his patients in the field. He is also COSS certified (Certified Occupational Safety Specialist).

One of Tom’s most prestigious roles includes serving as program director and Task Force Leader for FEMA’s Urban Search and Rescue Team for the state of New Mexico. As leader of NM Task Force 1, Tom made sure his team was trained and practiced in confined space, rope rescue, trench rescue and structural collapse. They had to be ready to deploy to anywhere in the country on a moment’s notice.

In September 2001, the team had the honor to respond to the Pentagon in Washington DC following the 9/11 attacks. Tom and his newly formed team served with distinction for approximately 14 days. The team later responded to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita while Tom was Task Force Leader. They conducted search and rescue in some of the most austere environments and made a tremendous difference in performing their lifesaving and recovery skills.

In his Roco career, Tom has played a big role in providing the best equipment, training and rescue techniques for our customers. He supports the company’s mission by promoting the safest way to provide life safety to all Roco customers. He added, “This is the most rewarding part of my job, having the opportunity to influence younger members to ‘set the bar high,’ ‘make a difference while you are here,’ and ‘leave things better than when you found them.” He also believes that gaining the trust of our customers is crucial – and giving great customer service is something we all strive for on a daily basis.

Away from work, Tom enjoys mountain biking, fishing, camping and volunteering with groups like Samaritan’s Purse. He also serves on the AFD Retiree Association as a member of the Honor Guard.

A native of Albuquerque, NM, Tom and his wife are the proud parents of two sons – both are currently serving in the Fire Department where one is a Captain, and one is a Paramedic Lieutenant. Tom was blessed to grow up in a loving home of five sons. One of his favorite childhood memories is celebrating the holidays at his parents’ home.

Tom added, “The greatest compliment you can give someone is that your parents would be proud of you and the person you have become!” We may be a little biased, but we’re very convinced that Mr. Floyd and Mrs. Martha Romero would be very proud of their son today!

In closing, Tom’s favorite holiday is Easter – he says, “It reminds us that Jesus’ dying on the cross wasn’t a defeat…it was an accomplishment!” Amen and amen.

From the Emergency Services Division of a large technology company to the ranks of Roco Rescue, Joshua Blake has a wide range of specialty training and real-world experience. Joshua joined Roco CSRT Standby Rescue Services Division in January 2022, and soon transitioned to the role of technical rescue instructor with Roco. Since successfully completing Roco’s Instructor Development program, Joshua now spends most of his time training new rescuers – although he still lends a hand to the CSRT Division whenever possible.

Joshua views Roco as an integral part of his professional development, crediting the company with helping him grow in both technical skills and leadership. “Not only have I had the opportunity to bring value to dozens of clients, but I too have become a student of the industry by learning from the absolute best in the company,” he shares. When asked about his favorite part of the job, Joshua highlights the satisfaction of seeing his students grow into competent rescue technicians.

Reflecting on his recent growth, he added, “Of course my time at Roco has improved my overall rope rescue knowledge and skills, but it has also greatly enhanced my customer service, communication, and people skills as well.” In addition to his role at Roco, Joshua is a licensed financial professional, working alongside his wife in their family business. He has a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Nevada, Reno, is a certified EMT-B, and holds a current life and health insurance license.

Prior to Roco, Joshua worked for Micron Technology in Boise, Idaho, where he served in the Emergency Services Department as a response technician. His responsibilities included confined space rescue, hazmat response, and emergency medical care. He eventually became the lead program manager for Micron’s confined space program, overseeing training and compliance for his team.

Outside of his professional life, Joshua is a devoted family man. He and his wife are happily married and the proud parents of five children—two girls (ages 14 and 4), and three boys (ages 10, 9, and 2). His role as a father is central to his life, and he finds great joy in spending quality time with his family. Joshua is passionate about creating a nurturing and active environment for his children, and they often enjoy outdoor activities together. He is deeply committed to his faith and is actively involved in his local church, regularly giving back through community service. His hobbies include health and fitness, a passion that has been a consistent part of his life since his involvement in baseball and football during his younger years, which later transitioned into bodybuilding. He also loves to travel, especially to beach destinations, where he can unwind with his family and enjoy the water.

Originally from Reno, Nevada, Joshua and his family recently moved to Spring Hill, Tennessee, which is about 30 miles south of Nashville. They may not have a beach, but they are embracing their beautiful new surroundings.

After joining the Roco CSRT Team in January 2021 as a rope rescue technician, Hunter quickly moved up to Senior Crew Member. Hunter was a full-time paramedic for 7 years before coming on board, so he is very familiar with emergency response and the demanding pace that it requires.

Hunter also shares Roco’s belief in saving lives by helping emergency responders and giving back in any way he can.

A native of Ville Platte, Louisiana, Hunter still calls this city home. He enjoys cooking, learning new skills, and watching sports, either on TV or in person, whenever possible.

A native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Dominic Velasquez has been an active emergency responder since 2003 when he joined the local fire department. During his fire department career, he has served in the Technical Rescue Division for 17 years. He was also a member of FEMA’s NMTF1 until the team was relocated in 2015. Dominic still serves as a Captain in the Albuquerque Fire/Rescue Department.

Dominic became involved with Roco Rescue in 2005 after completing Roco’s FastTrack 120 course. He primarily worked CSRT standby rescue for Roco and in 2013 was named CSRT Crew Chief. Also, in 2013, Dominic completed Roco’s Instructor Development Course and was selected as a Roco Rescue Instructor. Up until 2022, Dominic worked both CSRT and taught classes for Roco. In 2022, he was asked to take on the New Mexico CSRT Regional Manager role. You’ll still find him teaching a class or working a job as duty calls.

There are many rewarding aspects of working for Roco, according to Dominic. When working a CSRT job and the client expresses that they are glad we are there, and they wouldn’t want to do that job without us – that means a lot. As an instructor, Dominic enjoys watching students grow from barely tying knots on Monday to completing a difficult confined space rescue while wearing SCBA on Friday.

Lastly, Dominic adds that he enjoys the people. He states, “I have had the pleasure of meeting so many good people that I otherwise wouldn’t have if I didn’t work for Roco. This includes both co-workers and clients.”

In his home life, Dominic enjoys riding dirt bikes, flying airplanes, and running away to a cabin in the mountains with his family. He and his wife Valerie have been married for 28 years (since high school!) and are the proud parents of three grown children and two grandchildren. He is also continuing his education. Dominic holds an associate degree in Fire Science and is currently working on a bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management.

Dominic states that for him, “Roco’s mission is to provide our clients with the services and training that will ensure the safety of their employees while they perform their job duties.” Roco is very fortunate to have such a talented and dedicated individual in its ranks.

Hunter is our newest Safety Specialist for Roco’s Safety Services. He came on board in 2021 as a crew member for CSRT, working his way up to Crew Chief. His passion for safety evolved into a natural transition to the safety services department of Roco. He is a National Registered Paramedic, a recent graduate of Columbia Southern University – with an associate in occupational safety and health (ASP), and a member of the American Society of Safety Professionals.

Before joining Roco, Hunter was a critical care paramedic for Acadian Ambulance for 13 years. This includes multiple hurricane responses, mass casualty incidents, and neighborhood outreach programs such as Start-A-Heart CenLa – where free CPR training was offered to the public. He was also a four-year member of the Safety & Health Team for the CenLA district of Acadian Ambulance. Hunter eventually moved to the Safety Management Systems division of Acadian Companies and provided contract work for British Petroleum.

For Hunter, building trust and relationships with all workers on-site is the most rewarding part of working for Roco. He said, “Roco gives its people the knowledge to achieve, and its clients the tools to succeed.” He is starting his bachelor’s program this year so he can take his safety credentials to the next level and continue to help more companies ensure their workers get home safely.

Hunter resides in Pineville, Louisiana, where he was born and raised. When he is not on a jobsite, he can be found working on cars, cooking or doing something outdoors with his family. His daughter currently attends Northwestern State University, and his son loves computers, being outdoors and cooking. We understand there are some pretty serious cook-offs in the family!

Michael Lemoine’s role spans a wide variety of tasks covering a broad cross-section of Roco Rescue’s business as Operations Manager. He works with all department managers and office staff to assist where he can and ensure that they have what they need to do their jobs most effectively. He is proud of Roco’s reputation for providing the absolute best customer service and wants to see that it continues. Michael is also responsible for business development for Roco – coordinating efforts across the organization to provide an extra level of customer care while discovering new clients along the way.

Before joining Roco Rescue, Michael spent the past 10 years working in finance – holding multiple roles from a financial advisor, manager, and loan officer. He served his financial customers as a consultant, account manager, financial analyst, and occasional therapist. He has a B.S. in Finance and an MBA. Additionally, he has served in the U.S. Air Force and Louisiana Air National Guard for the last 14 years—the last 10 as an officer in various leadership positions. He currently serves as Medical Readiness Officer for the 159^th Medical Group in a management capacity (Major).

To his credit, Michael has spent the last 6 months getting to know Roco from the ground up. After attending a Roco Rescue FastTrack^TM course, he worked as a CSRT Crew Member in our standby rescue division. As such, he has spent much of his time working on a crew in one of our local industrial facilities.

When asked what Roco’s mission means to him, Michael said, “No matter what Roco department you look at, when you get down to the root of what we are doing and why it is to get people home safely to their families every day. And this is really true whether you are talking about training, safety services, CSRT, and even equipment sales – we are there to get people home safely.” Michael also said that his favorite part of working at Roco is seeing the pride Roco employees take in that mission.

When not working, Michael loves spending time with his wife and their three children while living out in the countryside of Ville Platte, Louisiana. He enjoys playing golf, cooking, the occasional fishing trip, and flying. Flying is his passion, and he has his private pilot’s license; however, he rarely has the time to fly these days. With his Roco job and three young children under the age of 10, we can certainly understand!

As a full-time firefighter with the Baton Rouge Fire Department, Austin is accustomed to “unpredictable days at the office”; however, he also gets this sense of adventure when working CSRT Boat Operations for Roco Rescue. Since most of Roco’s work is on the Mississippi River, the fourth largest river in the world, it can be very unpredictable. According to Austin, “Each day there is always a change or new challenge, it never gets old!”

Austin began his career with Roco in October of 2013 as a CSRT standby crew member. The following year he was promoted to CSRT Crew Chief. In addition to his Roco Rescue training, Austin also completed his COSS (Certified Occupational Safety Specialist) certification through LSU. This allowed him to perform duties as a field safety tech for Roco. Then, in 2019, he was offered a position as a boat operator for our Marine Rescue Division.

Today, Austin continues to serve Roco in all three capacities (CSRT Chief, Safety Tech, and Marine Rescue) with a focus on the Marine Division of CSRT. His other certifications include Firefighter 1; Firefighter 2; HAZMAT; Fire Equipment Operations; EMT (NREMT) and COSS.

According to Austin, “Roco provides its clients with peace of mind when on their site or in their facilities. While confined space and high-angle work can be a daunting task for our clients, we readily offer our support. We add an additional layer of safety by educating those around us on how to be properly prepared in case of an emergency and to aid in the prevention of such events from ever occurring.” He routinely hears, “Man, we sure are happy to see y’all here!”

In fact, he says this is what he enjoys most about working for Roco – the support and education we provide to our clients while working on site. He adds, “We provide a calming effect. You can tell when they realize we have their back if something goes wrong.”

Austin and his wife, Kristen, live in Albany, Louisiana. And, some very exciting news…they are expecting their first child in December – a sweet baby boy. Austin will soon have someone to accompany him when he’s enjoying the outdoors, whether it’s fishing, hunting or just enjoying friends and family. He spends his Sunday mornings at church and looks forward to spending time with his church family as well.

Tactical Chief Instructor Danny McNeely has truly lived a life of adventure. From his six years as a USAF Pararescueman to his time as paramedic/extrication specialist for the Red Bull Air Race Circuit, he has yet to slow down. Danny is an avid climber, an AMGA[1] guide and an alpinist, who is always chasing the next adventure. Of course, his current career with Roco’s Tactical Program is no walk in the park either, which is just the way he likes it.

In 2014, Danny joined Roco’s Tactical Division, which eventually evolved into the role of a chief instructor. While he teaches all modules of Roco’s tactical training, he is currently responsible for heading up new curriculum and training plans for rope access programs for various Roco clientele including the DoD and DoJ.

As an operator, Danny has extensive experience working with special operations teams in multiple combat zones including Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and the Horn of Africa (Djibouti). As mentioned, he also served as paramedic/extrication specialist for the 2015/16 Red Bull Air Race Circuit, training and integrating with rescue assets from around the world. His innovative mindset and a drive for efficiency bring an array of skills and knowledge to the rescue community.

According to Danny, the most rewarding part of his Roco job is knowing that the training we provide to the various teams can and will positively impact a negative situation. Which goes back to Roco’s mission of training people to utilize minimalist gear in any environment to accomplish movement, rescue, and recovery while doing it all safe, fast, and efficient.

Originally from Albuquerque, NM, Danny currently lives in Denver, CO. He said, “Roco has allowed me to travel all around the world which has given me a great perspective on how lucky I am to be in the position that I am.” Outside work, his favorite things are climbing, mountain biking, riding dirt bikes, and playing the bass guitar.

[1] American Mountain Guides Association is the United States’ sole representative to the 21-member International Federation of Mountain Guides Association, the international governing body responsible for guiding standards and education around the world.