Sales Team
Pete Laake Jr.
President
Pete Laake, the current President and third-generation of leadership of FESCO Emergency Sales (FESCO), briefly had a baseball career prior to the start of his full-time dedication to FESCO in 1992. Pete learned the ins and outs of the company on both the service side and the sales side by progressively mastering each position that became available. He was a Service Manager for six years before moving to the challenges of the Sales Department, eventually earning Salesperson of the Year for both FESCO and for Horton Emergency Vehicles multiple years in a row.
Even with his busy schedule and demanding positions, Pete still makes time to keep his family a priority. He frequently coaches his children’s sports teams, is an avid golfer, and enjoys spending free time with his wife and children at their home in Howard County, Maryland.
Rick Breed
Vice President of Sales
Rick Breed currently serves as FESCO’s Sales Manager, and oversees New Delivery and Sales Support Teams. Rick joined FESCO in 2006 to oversee our Graphics Department. He previously was an IT professional with the US Department of Agriculture where he received the USDA Excellence in IT Award. Rick was raised in Northern Virginia, attended Virginia Tech, and is a past member of Loudoun County Volunteer Rescue Squad for 12 years prior to moving to Maryland.
He now resides in Fulton, MD with his wife, two cats and Shelby the Super Corgi. A former Eagle Scout, Rick enjoys spending time outdoors and is also a member of his local strength training club, Forever Strong.
Chuck Simpson
Sales Manager
Chuck is a Regional Sales Manager with territories in Maryland and Virginia. He is currently the employee with the longest consecutive employment in the company, dating back to 1998.
Horton Emergency Vehicles Salesman of the Year in 2012, Third Place for salesman of the Year in 2008 and Horton Emergency Vehicles New Accounts Award (2nd Place) in 2012.
Maryland-born, but raised in the Deep South, Chuck spent his childhood fishing on the bayous of Louisiana and the lakes of Arkansas, and playing just about any outdoor sport imaginable. Chuck joined The United States Navy out of high school and completed more than 10 years of service. He is a Life Member of Disabled American Veterans and active with Maryland Chapter 33/Ft. Meade, MD.
Gene Spangler
Sales Manager
Gene Spangler, Regional Sales Manager, is responsible for Pre-Owned Vehicle Sales nationwide and New Ambulance Sales in Northwest MD, Northeast MD, and Southern Maryland. His knowledge on emergency response vehicles and accessories, as well as his easy-going personality provide customers with an incomparable purchasing experience.
Born and raised in New York, Gene resides in Pennsylvania with his wife and two daughters, though he remains a Yankees fan. Gene is very active with his local church, enjoys comedy, playing golf and has received the “Daddy of the Year” award in his home every year since he has been eligible. He also enjoys traveling, often choosing to personally drive his customer’s new delivery vehicles from the factory with his own “curbside service.”
Don Fitzgerald
Sales Manager
Don Fitzgerald is our Regional Sales Manager responsible for fire apparatus sales in Southern and Western Virginia. Raised in the country next to the Blue Ridge Parkway, Don grew up loving drag racing and working on old cars with his two brothers (one older and one younger).
Don is a career firefighter with every certification imaginable, and is also qualified as a Fire Instructor, Fire Inspector, and Fire Investigator. He was named Firefighter of the Year with the City of Charlottesville VA; and twice received The Act Of Heroism Award for service above and beyond the call of duty to save a life. Don also is a Volunteer with the Rockfish Valley Volunteer Fire Department.
Don is a resident of Nelson County, VA and has been happily married for 47+ years and counting with two daughters.
Jacqulyn Buckley
Sales Manager
Jacqulyn Buckley is a Regional Accounts Manager at FESCO, representing all brands in Central and Southern Maryland, the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and Sussex County, Delaware. She has been in the industry for 10+ years, utilizing her knowledge and experience with the emergency service sector to ensure that each emergency response vehicle delivered meets the requirements for their applications and specifications. Jacqulyn is FESCO’s first and only female sales manager, she hopes to inspire more young women to pursue a career in the fire industry.
Additionally, Jacqulyn enjoys spending time with her family and creating craft cocktails behind the bar. She enjoys playing basketball and volleyball, and drinking extra dirty martinis often (but not too often, things are fine). Jacqulyn serves as a volunteer for the Prevent Cancer Foundation and the Special Love Camp.
She is also the 2015 Chili Cook-Off champion of Rommel Harley Davidson in Annapolis. To date, she has not shared her recipe with us.
Justin Nuckols
Sales Manager
Justin is a Regional Account Manager in charge of ambulance & fire apparatus sales in Central & South Virginia. He has been in the industry for nearly 20 years and will look to utilize his knowledge and experience in working with every customer.
Justin joined the Hanover Fire-EMS team in 2005 and would go on to earn the rank of Lieutenant in 2016. He obtained a Bachelor of Science from Columbia Southern University and continues to advance his expertise in the field by challenging himself with new ventures.
Justin also enjoys playing with his band, fishing at the bay, and spending time with his daughter.
Clay Fitzgerald
Sales Manager
Clay Fitzgerald is a Regional Sales Manager in charge of ambulance & fire apparatus sales in Southwest Virginia and select counties of West Virginia.
Clay has an extensive experience in the Fire and EMS industry, having started his career in vehicle sales as Sales Manager at M&W Fire Apparatus in 1998, and later at Vest Sales & Service in 2006 to 2018. Clay has established a reputation as a realistic, knowledgeable consultant who is able to address the concerns of all the stakeholders. This has required an overview that encompasses mission necessities, physical practicality, manufacturing realism, budgetary constraints, time-line parameters, and quality controls.
Stephen Martin
Sales Manager
Stephen Martin is the Law Enforcement & Specialty Apparatus Sales Manager for the Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, and Southern New Jersey Territory.
Stephen has been in the vehicle upfitting industry since 2011. He applies his personal integrity and a high level of customer service to every project that comes his way. Stephen’s passion is to create solutions that help our customers stay safe and get home to their families. This is fueled by having family members and close friends on the front lines of Law Enforcement, Public Safety, and the Armed Forces.
He has vast experience to develop from the ground up a vehicle solution that will fit any department or company’s needs. He has worked with Law Enforcement and Public Safety Agencies, along with Manufacturer Resellers and Private Amber Market Companies to maximize their resources and create dynamic Total Vehicle Solutions.
As a “Maryland Native,” Stephen has a unique sense of the needs of the mid-Atlantic region. He travels throughout the DELMARVA area and has the benefit of seeing his customers outside of “working hours” allowing Stephen to develop lasting relationships.
Stephen loves the outdoors and when he is not home with his three children, he is hiking the trails of Patapsco State Park.
James Rizza
Sales Manager
James Rizza is the Regional Account Manager for Fire Apparatus for the Southern Virginia & Tidewater territory.
James was raised in rural Somerset County, New Jersey. He grew up working for his father’s car dealership until he started his own Landscape Design / Build company, which he ran for 29 years.
During this time, he joined the local Amwell Valley Fire Company in Ringoes, NJ as a firefighter where he reached the rank of Captain. James also held the positions of training officer and recruiting officer. Serving on truck committees was his inspiration to begin selling fire service products and eventually Rosenbauer fire apparatus.
After raising three wonderful children, James and his bride of 26 years fulfilled a lifelong dream of moving to rural Virginia and starting a small farm. In his spare time, James enjoys all outdoor activities and spending time with his wife and family.
Blair Cooper
Sales Manager
Blair Cooper is the Regional Account Manager for Ambulance and EVI Fire & Law Enforcement Sales in central southern Virginia and eastern North Carolina territory.
Blair has over 10 years of experience in the industry as a former account manager for Stryker Medical Technologies and a certified EMT.
She resides in the Richmond area with Chris, her husband of 6 years and her “bonus daughter” Hannah Grace. She is a true animal lover and is ready to make her mark on Virginia & North Carolina.
Michael Seifert
Sales Manager
Michael Seifert is the Regional Account Manager for the Northern Maryland and Delaware territory.
Michael has been a volunteer firefighter for over 15 years at Kingsville Volunteer Fire Company and before that at Fallston Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Company. He was involved in building vehicle specifications for multiple emergency vehicles for these departments. Additionally, Michael spent 11 years as a 911 Dispatcher for various agencies within Maryland and Florida.
Michael is a graduate of Calvert Hall College High School in Towson, MD. He holds numerous industry certifications from FEMA, the University of Maryland Fire Rescue Institute, and the National Academy of Emergency Dispatching of the United States of America.
When not working, Michael enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters, preferably at the beach. At their home in Forest Hill, MD, he likes to relax when not tackling projects around the house. He enjoys playing golf in his spare time.
Kevin Ames
Sales Support
Kevin Ames joined FESCO in October 2024 as a sales support associate. Before joining FESCO, Kevin served with The Baltimore County Fire Department as an EMT/Firefighter, spending his time with Stations 12 (Middle River) and 15 (Dundalk).
Kevin attended Calvert Hall College High School in Towson, MD, and graduated from Towson University with a degree in Mass Communications. He is a member of Theta Chi Fraternity.
During his time off, Kevin is an active member of his church and enjoys spending time with his friends and family, as well as working out, playing golf, surfing and snowboarding.