America's 100 hottest new companies

#16 Air Ambulance Specialists
If two's company and three's a crowd, then four makes a winning combination for the founders of Air Ambulance Specialists. Two married couples--Don and Kim Jones and George and Janet Borrego--are the founders behind this Englewood, Colorado, aero medical transportation business that has experienced stellar growth since its 2002 inception. What lies behind the company's success is the strength of both its founders and employees.

Don, who previously co-owned an air ambulance company, was persuaded by George, an employee, that they should pair up to launch a new venture. Instead of a dynamic duo, however, they opted to be a fantastic foursome. George, 42, focuses on operations, while Don, 46, tackles marketing; both handle sales. Janet's responsible for medical billing and contracting, while Kim, 44, an MBA who also holds a master's degree in accounting, is the CFO. "Working with your spouse is a learning experience," admits Janet, 42, but everyone agrees their different skills allow each person to excel in their individual roles.

"We strongly believe in supporting our employees and our crews," says Kim of their guiding philosophy. "We're very people-oriented." Their philosophy is certainly paying off: After nearly $5 million in sales its first year in business, the company grew to $22 million by 2005 and now projects $26 million in year-end sales. Air Ambulance Specialists' incredible growth is fueled by hard work and great employees, who generate repeat business by providing quality services to hospitals and insurance companies.

The company's attention to detail helps it stand apart from the competition, says Don, who points to their commitment to education and training as an example. Medical crews take a one-week in-house course before completing two weeks of flight training. The instruction doesn't end there, however-- mock drills are performed regularly, monthly education modules are available to employees through the company's website, and an annual three-day training course is mandatory for all employees. Says Don, "We make sure our crews and communications center are the elite in the industry."

Another factor contributing to the business's rising sales is an aging population that has disposable income and travels frequently, creating a need for aero medical services that transport ill patients to their local facilities. While matching the rate of growth "gets tougher each year because the numbers get higher," says Don, Air Ambulance Specialists is working toward establishing contracts with a number of health insurance companies nationwide. The founders are also looking to grow in international markets by obtaining more airplanes for long-range flights to Europe and Asia. With 2007 sales projected at $30 million, Air Ambulance Specialists' commitment and teamwork prove the sky's the limit.
— April Y. Pennington

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