Media Contact: Martin Gagliano
Telephone: (510) 368-8320
martin.gagliano@redcross.org
SANTA CRUZ, Calif., July 11, 2022 — The Board of Directors of the American Red Cross Central Coast Chapter held its annual meeting in June and elected three new members to the board.
The new board members bring diverse experiences to this leadership body, including decades of experience in government administration, project management and expertise in technology in the Central Coast area. The new members began their terms effectively on July 1. The newly elected board members are:
· John Cromwell - GrowthPoint Technology (retired)
· Antonio Rivas - Former Mayor of Watsonville
· Tobi Telesco - Granite Construction, Inc.
In addition, the newly elected Central Coast Executive Board members for the 2022-2023 fiscal year are:
· Anita Clerisse – Board Chair
· Megan Erk – Board Vice Chair; Volunteer Partner to CEO; San Jose Jr. Sharks (retired)
· Dane Lobb – Board Secretary; PG&E
· John Cromwell; Board Development Chair - GrowthPoint Technology (retired)
· Lee Hedgepeth – Community Engagement; Attorney (retired)
During the past fiscal year, Red Cross board members and volunteers in the Central Coast Chapter responded to 120 local disasters, providing care, comfort, and hope to those affected; installed more than 1,700 free smoke alarms to make families safer; taught lifesaving skills like first aid, water safety skills, CPR and AED trainings to more than 9,000 residents; and assisted more than 1,100 members of the armed forces, veterans and their families.
“As we dive into the next fiscal year, we celebrate our new board members and we look forward to the additional impact they will make in our Central Coast communities,” said Michele Averill, CEO for the Central Coast Chapter of the Red Cross. “Their diverse experience combined with the expertise of our officers will be the key to delivering the Red Cross mission in service of all residents in Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties.”
Averill also thanked the board's outgoing members, Rayvon Williams, Tim Nylen, Kimberly Osborne (Ph.D.), Thomas Simms, for their years of service to the board.
About American Red Cross of the Central Coast
With offices in Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties, the American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, visit our website at redcross.org/centralcoast or call us at (831) 624-6921. You may also find us on Facebook and Twitter.
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