Jim is an experienced EMS leader with over 43 years of service in the private sector ambulance industry. Jim has gained a reputation in the ambulance industry for emphasizing developing long-term strategies when implementing programs for operational deployments, economic forecasts, reimbursement advocacy, staffing models, and training content.
For the past 20 years, Jim has served as the CEO of The Karras Group, a national EMS consulting firm based in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. At his firm, he leads a team of EMS consultants serving ambulance services, emergency medical organizations, and public safety agency clients across the United States with an array of challenges and projects.
In addition to his role at The Karras Group, Jim is also a Senior Associate, EMS and Ambulance Services Specialist at Folsom, California-based Citygate Associates. This well-regarded national government consulting firm can serve as a “Virtual City Hall” to its vast roster of public agency clients across the country. At Citygate, Jim is assigned to the Fire/EMS section of the firm’s Public Safety division.
In May of 2024, after 42 years of continuous full-time EMS service, Jim retired as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of AmbuServe, Inc. This private firm owned and operated Medic-1 Ambulance, AmbuServe Ambulance in Los Angeles County, and Shoreline Ambulance in Orange County, after seven years of service in that role. Previously, for more than 25 years, Jim has served in similar senior leadership positions throughout California and East Texas at prominent ambulance services such as AmeriCare Ambulance, Priority One Medical Transport, and Emergency Ambulance.
Jim began his career in EMS after receiving his California emergency medical technician certification in Los Angeles County in 1981. He joined the historic Schaefer Ambulance Service in March 1982 as an EMT ambulance attendant, where he worked for almost 18 years. During his tenure at Schaefer, Jim progressed through various positions, culminating in his final role as Regional Manager of the company’s Orange County and San Diego County divisions.
During his tenure in the private ambulance industry, Jim was very active in the industry’s trade associations including serving as president of the Ambulance Association of Orange County for seven years, as well as serving as vice president of the San Diego County Ambulance Association, Ambulance Association of Orange County, Los Angeles County Ambulance Association; and most recently, the Southern California Ambulance Association. Jim also served as the Chair of the California Ambulance Association’s Human Resources Collaborative Committee for three years.
In support of his consulting work, jim continues to maintain his EMS credentials. Currently, Jim is certified in Michigan and California as an emergency medical technician, which he obtained after attending Rio Hondo College in Whittier, California, from 1979 to 1981. Jim is also certified by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch as an Emergency Telecommunicator (emergency dispatch), a certification he has held since October 2008.
Jim also serves as the executive producer of TKG Media Works, a media company based in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, that currently produces four podcasts, including EMS Shop Talk.