FT. LAUDERDALE, FL (July 27, 2022) – The Broward County Chapter of the American Red Cross is proud to welcome Taren O’Brien, Rick Shaw and Lawrence Franchetti to its Board of Directors, a team made up of local business and civic leaders who give of their time, expertise and compassion in support of Red Cross humanitarian services.
“We are thrilled to add Taren O’Brien, Rick Shaw and Lawrence Franchetti, to our team,” said Paula Prendergast, Executive Director, American Red Cross Broward County Chapter. “Each of these exemplary community leaders embodies a passion for the Red Cross mission.”
Down the street, across the country and around the world, the Red Cross helps residents prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies and disasters large and small. The organization serves the residents of Broward County through the power of its workforce and the generosity of the American public.
Taren O’Brien
Taren O’Brien is Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Holy Cross Health and is responsible for administering all aspects of nursing operations. Taren received a master's degree in nursing administration and financial leadership from Florida Atlantic University, where she also received her baccalaureate degree in nursing. Nurses have been a core asset to the American Red Cross Mission since the organization’s earliest days and Holy Cross Hospital has been a trusted partner of the Broward Chapter spanning two decades.
Rick Shaw
Rick Shaw is President and CEO of Miramar-based Tropical Financial Credit Union. He joined the credit union in 2015 as CFO and was later promoted to EVP/COO before accepting the top leadership position in May 2022. Shaw, a CPA and attorney, earned both his undergraduate degree in accounting and a J.D. degree from the University of Florida. Over the past decade, Tropical Financial Credit Union has been strong supporter of the Red Cross helping during episodic disasters and making homes safer by installing free smoke alarms in Broward County.
Lawrence Franchetti
Lawrence Franchetti is CEO of One Beat Medical and Training. He started his career in the medical device industry in 2003 with LIFELINKMD, and throughout his career has held positions in administration, customer support, sales and distribution. Franchetti attended Tulane University and the University of Delaware, graduating with degrees in political science and history. Under Lawrence’s leadership One Beat Medical and Training ranks in the top 15 of largest American Red Cross Training Providers nationally. Their National training presence is invaluable as they provide First Aid/CPR/AED, BLS, ALS, and PALS training – forging ahead to provide the top Healthcare Resuscitation training programs to the healthcare industry across the nation
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 Facebook or Twitter at @SFLRedCross.