Brian Karnes, JD, MPH
As the Executive Director of Health for Friends, Brian Karnes brings his energy and leadership experience to the delivery of healthcare to the medically indigent. His tenure at HFF began in January 2009 where he is the agency’s seventh Executive Director since its establishment in 1985. Brian leads HFF’s efforts to provide quality medical, dental, and pharmaceutical services to over 2,500 low-income, uninsured Norman residents.
Prior to Health for Friends, Brian was the Assistant Director of Programs at OCAST where he managed the establishment of three new grant programs including the Oklahoma Seed Capital Fund, a $7 million venture capital fund that provides seed and start-up stage equity financing to small, technology-based Oklahoma companies.
As the Chief Operating Officer for MHSACSO, Brian was responsible for all administrative and operational areas of a community mental health center for adolescents and adults with 175 employees, 15 locations throughout 9 counties, and a $10 million annual revenue.
Brian also held several positions at the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. He led a campaign that expanded legislative appropriations from $1.4 million to $20 million for the State Drug Court program, administered annually 140+ contracts with various private & government entities, and secured the release of 6 unconstitutionally held patients.
After graduating in a class size of eight in rural Texas Panhandle, Brian attended the University of Oklahoma on a Honor Scholar scholarship. While attaining a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama, Brian also became a nationally certified emergency medical technician - intermediate. Brian then attended both the OU College of Law and OUHSC College of Public Health on scholarship through a dual degree program. Brian earned a Juris Doctor degree and Master of Public Health degree with honors in 2001.
Brian devotes his free time to his two wonderful children.