Raven EMS Education Program Manual
Sub-Section 3.42.214 - Selected Biographies

Chief Executive Officer

Shef Ford
Degree - Bachelors	Sheffield Ford is a retired Special Forces Officer with over 25 years of Active-duty service. He was assigned to the 1st and 7th Special Forces Groups, working in the PACOM, SOUTHCOM, CENTCOM, and AFRICOM areas of operations. Sheffield served as a Special Forces Team Leader, Special Forces Company Commander, Special Forces Battalion Executive Officer, SOC Forward Pakistan J3, and many other leadership positions. His many deployments and combat tours enabled him to build a vast network of human capital that enabled him to open a family of companies that span the globe. Sheffield is on the Board of Directors for the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ), the NCJFCJ is a non-profit corporation at the forefront working to improve national policy and system practices affecting children, families and victims. He is also on the Board of Directors for WE Harvest, a non-profit organization building Churches and Orphanages around the World. He actively supports the Patriot Foundation, a non-profit organization with the goal of providing support for the children of Military Service Men and Women killed, wounded, injured, or who become seriously ill while serving our nation. He volunteers with the Special Forces Association Chapter VI working with High-school teenagers developing life skills all while supporting various other organizations. Sheffield graduated Cum-Laude in Political Science Pre-Law.
sheffield-ford-4b363947

Shef Ford

Sheffield Ford is a retired Special Forces Officer with over 25 years of Active-duty service. He was assigned to the 1st and 7th Special Forces Groups, working in the PACOM, SOUTHCOM, CENTCOM, and AFRICOM areas of operations. Sheffield served as a Special Forces Team Leader, Special Forces Company Commander, Special Forces Battalion Executive Officer, SOC Forward Pakistan J3, and many other leadership positions. His many deployments and combat tours enabled him to build a vast network of human capital that enabled him to open a family of companies that span the globe.

Sheffield is on the Board of Directors for the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ), the NCJFCJ is a non-profit corporation at the forefront working to improve national policy and system practices affecting children, families and victims. He is also on the Board of Directors for WE Harvest, a non-profit organization building Churches and Orphanages around the World. He actively supports the Patriot Foundation, a non-profit organization with the goal of providing support for the children of Military Service Men and Women killed, wounded, injured, or who become seriously ill while serving our nation. He volunteers with the Special Forces Association Chapter VI working with High-school teenagers developing life skills all while supporting various other organizations. Sheffield graduated Cum-Laude in Political Science Pre-Law.

sheffield-ford-4b363947

Senior Vice President of Operations

Billy Varga
	William “Billy” Varga is a US Army veteran with 23 years of active military service with 24 years of continuous service to USSOCOM as both a Soldier and USG contract Program Manager. In his role as Sr. Vice President of Operations for Raven Advisory, Billy provides management, leadership, and oversight to the Raven family of businesses. As the primary administrator, he synchronizes the execution of all awarded contracts, ensuring compliance with federal regulations and program specific requirements. His assignments include 7th Special Forces Group (A), 1st Special Forces Command (A), SOC-FWD (Pakistan), Jungle Operations Training Center, 101st ABN DIV, and Joint Special Operations Command (post-retirement). Billy’s combat, counter-narco terrorism, and counterinsurgency deployments include Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, Plan Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, El Salvador, Uruguay, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras. He earned a Master of Arts Degree in Management and Leadership from Webster University (cum laude) and has held the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification since 2012. His Program Management experience includes providing services to USSOCOM (intelligence, geospatial, special projects), Department of State, the Pentagon, and Department of Defense.
billy-varga-1a959868

Billy Varga

William “Billy” Varga is a US Army veteran with 23 years of active military service with 24 years of continuous service to USSOCOM as both a Soldier and USG contract Program Manager. In his role as Sr. Vice President of Operations for Raven Advisory, Billy provides management, leadership, and oversight to the Raven family of businesses. As the primary administrator, he synchronizes the execution of all awarded contracts, ensuring compliance with federal regulations and program specific requirements. His assignments include 7th Special Forces Group (A), 1st Special Forces Command (A), SOC-FWD (Pakistan), Jungle Operations Training Center, 101st ABN DIV, and Joint Special Operations Command (post-retirement). Billy’s combat, counter-narco terrorism, and counterinsurgency deployments include Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, Plan Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, El Salvador, Uruguay, Brazil, Panama, and Honduras.

He earned a Master of Arts Degree in Management and Leadership from Webster University (cum laude) and has held the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification since 2012. His Program Management experience includes providing services to USSOCOM (intelligence, geospatial, special projects), Department of State, the Pentagon, and Department of Defense.

billy-varga-1a959868

Director of Raven Medical

Jason Adams
AHA Basic Life Support (BLS) NAEMT Tactical Combat Casualty Care - Combat Medic Corpsman (TCCC-CMC) NAEMT PreHospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) AHA Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) AHA Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Degree - Masters Degree - Bachelors	Jason Adams is a retired U.S. Army Physician Assistant (PA) with over 27 years of Active-Duty service. Prior to becoming a PA in 2012, he was a Special Forces Medical Sergeant assigned to 3rd Special Forces Group and the Special Warfare Medical Group. He served as a SF Team, Company, and Battalion Medical Sergeant, as well as Battalion and Brigade Senior Physician Assistant. He earned a Bachelor of Health Science from Campbell University and a Masters in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and is a dynamic and transformational educational leader. Experienced in all aspects of prolonged field care, tactical combat casualty care, live tissue training, and cadaver medical training. Highly skilled in controlled substance storage and documentation, medical property accountability, and medical maintenance improving overall efficiency and accountability.

Jason Adams

Jason Adams is a retired U.S. Army Physician Assistant (PA) with over 27 years of Active-Duty service. Prior to becoming a PA in 2012, he was a Special Forces Medical Sergeant assigned to 3rd Special Forces Group and the Special Warfare Medical Group. He served as a SF Team, Company, and Battalion Medical Sergeant, as well as Battalion and Brigade Senior Physician Assistant.

He earned a Bachelor of Health Science from Campbell University and a Masters in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and is a dynamic and transformational educational leader. Experienced in all aspects of prolonged field care, tactical combat casualty care, live tissue training, and cadaver medical training. Highly skilled in controlled substance storage and documentation, medical property accountability, and medical maintenance improving overall efficiency and accountability.

Deupty Director of Civilian Medicine

Theron Becker
AHA Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) AHA Basic Life Support (BLS) AHA Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Degree - Masters FEMA IS 100 - Introduction to Incident Command FEMA IS 200 - ICS for Single Resources FEMA IS 300 - Intermediate Incident Command FEMA IS 400 - Advanced Incident Command FEMA IS 700 - Intro to National Incident Mgmt FEMA IS 800 - Intro to National Response MODOT Traffic Incident Management (TIMS) NAEMT Emergency Vehicle Operator Safety (EVOS) NAEMT EMS Safety NAEMT Geriatric Education for EMS (GEMS) NAEMT PreHospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) NREMT Paramedic (NRP) NDLSF Advanced Disaster Life Support (ADLS) NFA 729 - Incident Safety Officer (ISO) NFPA 1006 - Confined Space Rescue Operations NFPA 1006 - Machinery Rescue Operations NFPA 1006 - Rope Rescue Operations NFPA 1006 - Structural Collapse Rescue Operations NFPA 1006 - Surface Water Rescue Operations NFPA 1006 - Swiftwater Rescue Operations NFPA 1006 - Trench Rescue Operations NFPA 1006 - Vehicle Rescue Operations NFPA 1006 - Wilderness Rescue Operations NFPA 473 - Advanced Hazmat Life Support NFPA 473 - Basic Hazmat Life Support NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) Just Culture for Managers PADI Open Water Diver TEEX Ambulance Strike Team Leader USDOT EMS Instructor Degree - Bachelors NFPA 1006 - Ice Rescue Operations CDP 160 - Disaster Awareness NAEMT Core Instructor MODOT TIMS Instructor NAEMT AMLS Instructor AHA BLS Instructor AHA ACLS Instructor AHA PALS Instructor NAEMT EVOS Instructor NAEMT GEMS Instructor NAEMT CPS Instructor Wheelchair Securement Training NEMSMA Executive Paramedic Officer (EPO or FACPE) IBSC Community Paramedic (CP-C) FCC Amateur Radio Extra Operator State of Missouri - Community Paramedic NCMW Mental Health First Aid ICISF Assisting Individuals in Crisis ICISF Group Crisis Intervention State of South Carolina - Paramedic NAEMT TCCC Instructor ABA Advanced Burn Life Support (ABLS) FEMA USFA Executive Fire Officer (EFO)	Theron Becker is a seasoned advanced practice paramedic with extensive experience across Oklahoma, Missouri, North Carolina, and South Carolina. He began his journey in 1995 by obtaining his first EMS license while completing his Bachelors degree in Fire Engineering at Oklahoma State University. Theron holds a Masters in Public Administration and a Masters in Public Health and is a Fellow of the American College of Paramedic Executives and an Executive Fire Officer from the National Fire Academy. Throughout his career, Theron has served in various roles, including fire captain, training officer, ambulance chief, lead instructor, program director for an accredited paramedic program, hazmat technician, fire protection engineer, and bioterrorism preparedness planner. Beyond his professional life, he enjoys being a father to two elementary-aged girls, exploring the hobby of amateur radio, and contributes as the Assistant Editor for the International Journal of Paramedicine. Therons expertise extends to developing and leading EMS education and advanced practice paramedic programs, making him an invaluable asset to Raven Medical.
ka5yth 0000-0003-4808-9262

Theron Becker

Theron Becker is a seasoned advanced practice paramedic with extensive experience across Oklahoma, Missouri, North Carolina, and South Carolina. He began his journey in 1995 by obtaining his first EMS license while completing his Bachelors degree in Fire Engineering at Oklahoma State University. Theron holds a Masters in Public Administration and a Masters in Public Health and is a Fellow of the American College of Paramedic Executives and an Executive Fire Officer from the National Fire Academy. Throughout his career, Theron has served in various roles, including fire captain, training officer, ambulance chief, lead instructor, program director for an accredited paramedic program, hazmat technician, fire protection engineer, and bioterrorism preparedness planner. Beyond his professional life, he enjoys being a father to two elementary-aged girls, exploring the hobby of amateur radio, and contributes as the Assistant Editor for the International Journal of Paramedicine. Therons expertise extends to developing and leading EMS education and advanced practice paramedic programs, making him an invaluable asset to Raven Medical.

ka5yth

0000-0003-4808-9262

Deupty Director of Military Medicine

Rolands Dale
NAEMT Tactical Combat Casualty Care - Combat Medic Corpsman (TCCC-CMC) Degree - Masters	Rolands Dale is a retired U.S. Army Physician Assistant (PA) with over 28 years of Active-Duty service. He began his career as a Behavioral Science Specialist at Tripler AMC in Hawaii. Rolands then attended the SF Medic SFQC and was assigned to 1/7 SFG(A), serving as Senior Medic on MAROPS, HALO and ASOT/RAT teams. Rolands attended IPAP in 2008 and while serving as an Army Physician Assistant, he filled roles in 82nd Division Headquarters and Calvary Squadron as the Battalion PA. He further served as the Aeromedical and Dive Medical Officer in 4/3 SFG(A). Rolands was Course Director for the Special Forces Medical Sergeant (SFMS) course. His final assignment was as the Brigade Senior PA at the Airborne Ranger Training Brigade, GA. Rolands initially worked with Raven Medical as a Primary Medical Instructor and now serves as the Deputy Director for Military Medical Training. He earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
rolands-dale-6834a41a2

Rolands Dale

Rolands Dale is a retired U.S. Army Physician Assistant (PA) with over 28 years of Active-Duty service. He began his career as a Behavioral Science Specialist at Tripler AMC in Hawaii. Rolands then attended the SF Medic SFQC and was assigned to 1/7 SFG(A), serving as Senior Medic on MAROPS, HALO and ASOT/RAT teams. Rolands attended IPAP in 2008 and while serving as an Army Physician Assistant, he filled roles in 82nd Division Headquarters and Calvary Squadron as the Battalion PA. He further served as the Aeromedical and Dive Medical Officer in 4/3 SFG(A). Rolands was Course Director for the Special Forces Medical Sergeant (SFMS) course. His final assignment was as the Brigade Senior PA at the Airborne Ranger Training Brigade, GA. Rolands initially worked with Raven Medical as a Primary Medical Instructor and now serves as the Deputy Director for Military Medical Training.

He earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

rolands-dale-6834a41a2

Civilian Medical Director

Dr. Brian Krakover
Degree - Bachelors Degree - Masters Degree - Doctoral ABEM Board Certified in Emergency Medicine	Dr. Brian Krakover is an emergency physician leader with fellowship training in healthcare quality, informatics and administration, EMS, and disaster medicine with over 20 years of experience as an emergency phisician. He is board certified in Emergency Medicine and a Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians and recently lead the busiest emergency department in North Carolina and one of the top ten busiest in the United States. Dr. Krakover is a retired Colonel in the US Army with experience including multiple deployments with conventional, special operations, and medical command positions. Dr. Krakover previously served as the corporate director of emergency services at Cape Fear Valley Health in Fayetteville, NC for ten years. Also, Dr. Krakover was an emergency mediciden physician for Vigilint Medical Advisory Solutions, the command surgeon for the US Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command at Ft Bragg, the EMS medical director for Warren County, NC, the group surgeon for the 5th Special Forces Group at Ft Campbell, prehospital medicine director for the US Army Medical Department Center and School at Ft Sam Houston, an emergency medicine physician for the US Army, and the EMS medical director for the US Army Medical Command at Ft Bragg. Dr. Krakover founded the US Army Critical Care Flight Paramedic Training Program at Ft. Sam Houston and holds a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Administration.
brian-krakover-md-mba-facep-col-ret-us-army-90a0372b

Dr. Brian Krakover

Dr. Brian Krakover is an emergency physician leader with fellowship training in healthcare quality, informatics and administration, EMS, and disaster medicine with over 20 years of experience as an emergency phisician. He is board certified in Emergency Medicine and a Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians and recently lead the busiest emergency department in North Carolina and one of the top ten busiest in the United States. Dr. Krakover is a retired Colonel in the US Army with experience including multiple deployments with conventional, special operations, and medical command positions.

Dr. Krakover previously served as the corporate director of emergency services at Cape Fear Valley Health in Fayetteville, NC for ten years. Also, Dr. Krakover was an emergency mediciden physician for Vigilint Medical Advisory Solutions, the command surgeon for the US Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command at Ft Bragg, the EMS medical director for Warren County, NC, the group surgeon for the 5th Special Forces Group at Ft Campbell, prehospital medicine director for the US Army Medical Department Center and School at Ft Sam Houston, an emergency medicine physician for the US Army, and the EMS medical director for the US Army Medical Command at Ft Bragg. Dr. Krakover founded the US Army Critical Care Flight Paramedic Training Program at Ft. Sam Houston and holds a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Administration.

brian-krakover-md-mba-facep-col-ret-us-army-90a0372b

Military Medical Director

Dr. Lorenzo Paladino
Degree - Doctoral State of New York - Physician	Dr. Lorenzo Paladino is an emergency physician and associate professor with the State University of New York (SUNY). He has over 25 years of EMS experience including telemetry certification, and running a large NYC based paramedic program with a multi-million dollar simulation center. Dr. Paladino was also a paramedic before attending medical school and residency. He currently works at one of new York City’s largest level I trauma centers and is active in 18-Delta special forces, airforce pararescue, special operatons medic, NYFD and NYPD special operations education. He is a very active Advance Trauma Life Support and tactical combat casualty care instructor.
lorenzo-paladino-100a658

Dr. Lorenzo Paladino

Dr. Lorenzo Paladino is an emergency physician and associate professor with the State University of New York (SUNY). He has over 25 years of EMS experience including telemetry certification, and running a large NYC based paramedic program with a multi-million dollar simulation center. Dr. Paladino was also a paramedic before attending medical school and residency. He currently works at one of new York City’s largest level I trauma centers and is active in 18-Delta special forces, airforce pararescue, special operatons medic, NYFD and NYPD special operations education. He is a very active Advance Trauma Life Support and tactical combat casualty care instructor.

lorenzo-paladino-100a658

Director of Medical Business Development and Quality

Art Salisbury
NREMT Paramedic (NRP) Degree - Bachelors Degree - Masters State of North Carolina - Driver License	Art Salisbury is a retired Special Forces Medical Sergeant with over 20 years of Active-duty service. He was assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group, working in the SOUTHCOM areas of operation. Art was also Assigned to the US Army JFK Special Warfare Center and Schools as an inspirational instructor at the Joint Special Operations Medical Training Center, Special Warfare Medical Group while on active duty as well as a contractor after military retirement. He earned a Bachelor of Health Science from Campbell University, a Master of Arts in Education, and currently attending Liberty University in their Doctorate of Education Program. Upon military retirement, he was a Search and Rescue/Flight Medic for Department of State Airwing contracts in Colombia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He provided the Department of State Airwing a Colombia Airwing Survival Training POI as he traveled through Colombia teaching Survival and Austere Care skills to the DoS aircrew personnel. He also assisted in standing up a MEDEVAC platform in Niamey, Niger for a AFRICOM contract. He is a current National Registry Paramedic, North Carolina Paramedic, South Carolina Paramedic, AHA Instructor and Train the Trainer, NAEMT Instructor and Affiliated Faculty, SRAHEC Affiliated Faculty, EMS Instructor Level 1, and completed EMS Instructor Level 2 training. He supports Tunnels to Towers Foundation, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and Samaritan’s Purse.
art-salisbury-b4399792

Art Salisbury

Art Salisbury is a retired Special Forces Medical Sergeant with over 20 years of Active-duty service. He was assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group, working in the SOUTHCOM areas of operation. Art was also Assigned to the US Army JFK Special Warfare Center and Schools as an inspirational instructor at the Joint Special Operations Medical Training Center, Special Warfare Medical Group while on active duty as well as a contractor after military retirement.

He earned a Bachelor of Health Science from Campbell University, a Master of Arts in Education, and currently attending Liberty University in their Doctorate of Education Program. Upon military retirement, he was a Search and Rescue/Flight Medic for Department of State Airwing contracts in Colombia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He provided the Department of State Airwing a Colombia Airwing Survival Training POI as he traveled through Colombia teaching Survival and Austere Care skills to the DoS aircrew personnel. He also assisted in standing up a MEDEVAC platform in Niamey, Niger for a AFRICOM contract.

He is a current National Registry Paramedic, North Carolina Paramedic, South Carolina Paramedic, AHA Instructor and Train the Trainer, NAEMT Instructor and Affiliated Faculty, SRAHEC Affiliated Faculty, EMS Instructor Level 1, and completed EMS Instructor Level 2 training. He supports Tunnels to Towers Foundation, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and Samaritan’s Purse.

art-salisbury-b4399792

EMT Program Director

Carrie Gillilan
State of North Carolina - EMS Instructor 2 Degree - Bachelors Degree - Associates	Carrie Gillilan is the Clinical Coordinator for EMS programs at Gaston College, NC since 2004. She has been a training officer and paramedic instructor along with being a critical care paramedic. Ms. Gillilan is the secretary for the North Carolina Association of EMS Administrators. She has also attained instructor certifications for Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, and Geriatric Education for EMS.

Carrie Gillilan

Carrie Gillilan is the Clinical Coordinator for EMS programs at Gaston College, NC since 2004. She has been a training officer and paramedic instructor along with being a critical care paramedic. Ms. Gillilan is the secretary for the North Carolina Association of EMS Administrators. She has also attained instructor certifications for Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, and Geriatric Education for EMS.

EMT Lead Instructor

Chad Parlier
State of North Carolina - EMS Instructor 2 State of North Carolina - Paramedic Degree - Associates NREMT Paramedic (NRP)	Chad Parlier is an EMT and paramedic instructor for Gaston College, NC since 2005. He has been a training coordinator, education faculty, and street paramedic along with being a critical care paramedic. Mr. Parlier has also attained instructor certifications for Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Life Support, Emergency Vehicle Operator Safety, and Advanced Medical Life Support.
chad-parlier-2a67bb43

Chad Parlier

Chad Parlier is an EMT and paramedic instructor for Gaston College, NC since 2005. He has been a training coordinator, education faculty, and street paramedic along with being a critical care paramedic. Mr. Parlier has also attained instructor certifications for Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Life Support, Emergency Vehicle Operator Safety, and Advanced Medical Life Support.

chad-parlier-2a67bb43

Change Log (3.42.214)

Date	Author	Description of Change	Citations
2024-08-08	Becker, T.Theron Jack Becker	Added this section with info from Raven website.	(Raven, 2022)Raven Advisory. (2022). Who we are . https://www.ravenadvisory.com/whoweare
2024-08-15	Becker, T.Theron Jack Becker	Added Roland’s picture, Carrie’s info and placholder for Chad.
2024-08-29	Becker, T.Theron Jack Becker	Added Char Perlier’s info and photo.
2024-09-06	Gillilan, C.Carrie Ann Gillilan	Updated Carrie Gillilan’s bio.
2024-09-16	Becker, T.Theron Jack Becker	Updated Dr. Krakover’s and Dr. Paladino’s bios.
2024-12-13	Becker, T.Theron Jack Becker	Moved online from InDesign.

	Relevant. Resolute. Ready.
	Raven EMS Education Manual - Table of Contents
	BeckerTeam (main page)

Raven EMS Education Program ManualSub-Section 3.42.214 - Selected Biographies