LOS ANGELES, Jan. 21, 2021 – The American Red Cross Serving Greater Long Beach, South Bay, and Metro and Southeast Los Angeles Chapter welcomes the new year with the addition of six dynamic new members to its Board of Directors.
“The potential of our new board members’ experience combined with our existing board brings fresh excitement to our chapter,” said Veronica Garcia Dávalos, Executive Director of the Red Cross Greater Long Beach Chapter. “Our community of four million people across 40 cities and 14 unincorporated communities rely on our Board of Directors’ critical role in guiding the vital work our chapter provides.”
The chapter covers a geographic area that reaches from Rancho Palos Verdes to Whittier. Most notably, the chapter board hosts the annual Hometown Heroes luncheon, honoring Los Angeles County community members who have demonstrated extraordinary heroism through acts of courage and humanitarian service.
The chapter board is composed of 24 representatives from diverse community sectors. Their vision and wisdom help develop the chapter’s policies, guide decisions and ensures the chapter’s effective stewardship of our donors' generous contributions.
We are proud to welcome:
April Szabo
Attorney, Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Rudd & Romo
For 20 years, Szabo has specialized in Human Resources legal guidance including wage/hour counseling, workplace investigations, and drafting employer handbooks and training materials. Her background includes years of litigation experience with an emphasis on issues concerning independent contractors. Prior to earning a law degree, Szabo worked as an Employee Relations Consultant for a national bank, where she conducted workplace investigations into allegations of discrimination, harassment and retaliation.
Szabo holds a law degree from Whittier Law School, a certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution and Human Resources Management
Chris Gilbride
Director of Media Relations and Public Information, Southern California Gas Company
Gilbride is a seasoned media relations director with more than 15 years of communications experience in energy, government and emergency management. Crisis communications, public policy and corporate communications are only a few among Gilbride’s many skills and areas of expertise.
Gilbride earned a master’s degree in Public Finance from the University of Connecticut.
Desmond Fletcher
Workers Compensation Claims Administrator, City of Compton
Fletcher has been in the workers’ compensation industry for 32 years, working as a Workers' Compensation Claims Administrator for the city of Compton since 2009. He holds the California Self-insured Certificate and an Insurance educational association designation.
Fletcher is a native of Los Angeles and received his B.A. in Quantitative Economics and Decision Science from the University of California, San Diego. He is the current president of AFSCME Local 2325 and prior, held the positions of Vice President, Supervisor at Large and Trustee. Fletcher served as the Chair and Vice Chair of the Citizen Police Complaint Commission and the Human Relations Commission, both for the City of Long Beach. He is a long-time softball player and served on the Board for a local adult softball organization. Desmond works within the community on diversity and inclusion and volunteers with his church.
Diana Morell
Vice President, Projects Controls / Contracts, Total American Investment Company
Morell joined Total American Investment Company in 1996 and brings more than 32 years of experience in a wide range of disciplines to the Board. Her management experience includes marketing, sales, planning and scheduling, project management, software implementation, process implementation, project controls, contract review, and negotiation.
With an MBA and certificates in Project Management and a Project Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP), Morell’s areas of responsibility include project planning, scheduling, cost control, process development and implementation.
Juliana Moreno
Public Affairs & Community Relations Advisor, Phillips 66, Los Angeles Refinery
Moreno serves as the Communications and Public Affairs Specialist at the Los Angeles Refinery. She joined the Phillips 66 team April 2019 and leads community philanthropy efforts and works closely with local organizations, schools, and other key community stakeholders. Prior to joining Phillips 66, Ms. Morena served as a Foreign Affairs Officer for the U.S. Department of State for ten years where she managed U.S. diplomatic engagement with Central American countries.
Moreno holds a Master of Arts in International Studies at Chapman University and a Double Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Spanish Language from Norwich University. She is a native of Southern California and speaks Spanish.
Xavier Espino
Fire Chief, Long Beach Fire Department
A Southern California native and second-generation firefighter, Espino has served the Long Beach Fire Department since 1986. Prior to becoming fire chief, Espino served in many roles, including assistant fire chief, firefighter/paramedic, captain and battalion chief.
During his time in the Department, Espino was the principal representative for the concept, design, operation and management of the first dual Fire Academy in the Department’s history and managed the Fire Boat program. Espino earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Studies from California State University at Long Beach.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/la or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossLA or @CruzRojaLA.