FT MYERS, FLA. OCTOBER 14, 2022 — The American Red Cross, South Florida Region, is pleased to announce the appointment of John McKinnon as Executive Director for the Southwest Gulf Coast to Glade Chapter.  John will lead efforts to advance the Red Cross mission across Southwest Florida, overseeing programs that provide vital humanitarian aid, disaster preparedness and response, and community resilience initiatives.

“We are thrilled to have John joining the South Florida team,” said Krista Coletti, CEO of the South Florida Region. “John’s proven leadership, strong community ties, and deep commitment to humanitarian service make him the ideal person to lead the Southwest Gulf Coast to Glades Chapter. His passion for helping others and his extensive experience in disaster response and nonprofit management will be invaluable as we continue advancing our mission across Southwest Florida.”

John McKinnon joins the American Red Cross as Executive Director of the Southwest Gulf Coast to Glades Chapter, bringing more than 20 years of leadership experience in nonprofit and business management. Most recently, he served as Executive Director of Midwest Food Bank’s Florida Division, where he led a dedicated team in distributing more than 16 million pounds of food annually to over 230 nonprofit partners while coordinating large-scale emergency relief efforts in response to natural disasters.

Throughout his career, John has held impactful leadership roles with Adult & Teen Challenge chapters across Michigan, Florida, and Missouri, where he advanced organizational growth, financial stability, and program expansion. He has also supported disaster response for nine major hurricanes—including Ian, Michael, Irma, and Maria—and led international service projects in Malaysia, the Philippines, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua. Originally from Muskegon, Michigan, John has called Southwest Florida home for nearly a decade, where he lives with his wife, Rachel, and their two children, Nolan and Natalie.

“In October 2022, I led a Disaster Relief Team in Southwest Florida, responding to the needs resulting from Hurricane Ian. Over the course of that month, we partnered with several organizations—most notably the American Red Cross, to support families in crisis. Together, we provided meals, distributed essential supplies, and helped clear out homes devastated by the storm.;” says John McKinnon. “I had always known about the Red Cross, but it was during that experience that I truly witnessed the depth and reach of their mission. I never imagined that just a few years later, I’d be appointed Executive Director of the Southwest Gulf Coast to Glades Chapter, serving the very community that captured my heart during those difficult days. It’s an honor to now play a role in continuing the work of hope and healing in Southwest Florida. I’m excited to serve, to lead, and to give back to a region that means so much to me.” 

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/southflorida or visit us on Twitter at @SFLRedCross.