When Craig Herr was just five years old, his family’s home caught fire.

They lost everything.

Decades later, he still remembers the people who showed up to help. “The Red Cross was there for us,” Herr recalls. “We lost everything.”

Today, that same experience fuels his passion as Chair of the American Red Cross Northwest Arkansas Board of Directors.

“I think the mission really aligns with my fabric,” he said. “The purpose and the values just clicked with me.”

Craig’s path to the Red Cross has been anything but ordinary. After graduating high school, he joined the U.S. Navy, serving five years as an intelligence officer while earning both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees during deployment. After leaving the military to spend more time with his growing family, he built a successful career at Walmart, eventually holding leadership roles across the country before serving as a regional and divisional vice president at Five Below. He later returned to Walmart, where he continues to lead today.

A former Red Cross board member encouraged Craig to meet with local Executive Director Julie Brown. What started as a conversation quickly became something more.

“I fell in love with it,” he said.

He joined the board four years ago, and he admits he didn’t fully understand everything the Red Cross did until he became involved.

“I don’t think people realize how much happens every single day,” he said. “The passion they have. The selflessness they have. It reminds you that humanity is still alive.”

From responding to home fires and tornadoes to opening cooling centers during dangerous heat and installing smoke alarms in neighborhoods, Herr says seeing the organization mobilize has been eye-opening.

“When the tornadoes hit Northwest Arkansas, watching everyone come together so quickly—it was very humbling. You see the orchestration behind the scenes, and it’s incredible,” Herr said.

His professional role has also given him an opportunity to strengthen partnerships between Walmart and the Red Cross. Whether discussing blood shortages or disaster relief, Craig says it’s rewarding to connect two organizations committed to serving communities.

As the Red Cross continues to grow its volunteer leadership across Missouri and Arkansas, Herr hopes others will consider serving on a local board.

“Don’t overthink it,” he explained, “Don’t worry about the time commitment or wonder whether you’re the right fit. When you see the Red Cross in action, it will give you goosebumps.”