Richmond Ambulance Authority chief announces resignation

The Richmond Ambulance Authority's chief executive officer is leaving the post he has held since the city-funded agency's founding to work for a California safety-products company.

Jerry Overton, 59, announced his resignation yesterday to the ambulance authority's board, which voted to begin appointing a search committee for his replacement. Overton said he plans to assist with the transition over several months and that a specific date for his departure has not been set.

"It was a privilege to be called to Richmond in 1991 and given the opportunity to build the Richmond Ambulance Authority from the ground up," Overton said. "I leave knowing that the citizens of Richmond now have one of the finest EMS systems in the nation. I look forward to my next great challenge of improving the overall safety of even more rescue personnel."

Overton has been hired as president and chief executive officer of Road Safety International Inc., a company that produces "black box" monitoring systems used in emergency vehicles and a safe-driving program for law-enforcement and rescue personnel.

"It's an opportunity for me to take on a national role, and that's exciting," he said. "I believe in safety for paramedics and EMTs. I'm really pleased they would seek me out, and I'm looking forward to my new role."

Before coming to Richmond, Overton was executive director of the emergency medical services system in his hometown of Kansas City, Mo.

Contact Melodie N. Martin at (804) 649-6290 or .