The Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) has appointed Garet Turner to serve in a new position as VP of strategic engagement and member experience for AAMS and executive director of the MedEvac Foundation International. Turner will begin his role on 1 September and will focus on customer service, creating more value for members, partners and donors, as well as improving the organisation's education, events and internal processes.

“I am thrilled to have selected the leadership team to move AAMS and the Foundation forward for great success in the near future,” says AAMS president and CEO Cameron Curtis. “Under my guidance, Garet and Christopher Eastlee, long-time AAMS vice president of government relations, will strategically expand programmes to support our members with the resources and representation they need and deserve.”

Turner adds: “Working with AAMS members and Foundation donors as well as the leadership team is a tremendous opportunity that I look forward to. This position feeds my passion to help people and increase the worldwide visibility of the organisation within the medical and aviation space. Our frontline first responders positively affect the lives of countless patients and families, and I am dedicated to engaging with and making a difference for our members.”

Turner brings numerous years of experience with international membership engagement, fundraising events and sponsorship, as well as individual and corporate programmes. Most recently, he served as chief development officer for ASAE and the ASAE Research Foundation in Washington, D.C.

Overseeing a $2.5 million fundraising operation for the enterprise, Turner joined the ASAE Foundation in August 2017 as the vice president of development. In June 2019 he was promoted to chief development officer for ASAE and the ASAE Research Foundation. Previously, he served as the director of corporate relations for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) for three years and was responsible for more than $1.5 million in annual non-dues revenue.

Previously, Garet also served as a regional director of development at Purdue University, associate director of development in the School of Management at George Mason University and associate director of regional programmes at the Trust for the National Mall.

Established in 1980, the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) is an international healthcare organisation headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area. AAMS is a non-profit 501C(6) trade association that represents and advocates on behalf of the critical care transport industry to enhance their ability to deliver quality, safe and effective medical care and medical transportation for every patient in-need.