By Damakant Jayshi, Volunteer Blogger/Writer
Born to immigrants from Ukraine and Poland, Bernie Wasserman has had a very fulfilling career – mostly as an FBI agent – but that is only one portion of his life. At the American Red Cross, staff and volunteers are well aware of his service and dedication to others. He has been a volunteer with the Red Cross Disaster Action Team in the Atlanta area since February 2010. The Former Agents of the FBI Foundation, a national group of retired FBI agents, have recognized Wasserman for his public service by selecting him as the Humanitarian of the Year. This recognition comes with a check of $5,000 which the recipient can donate to a charity of their choice.
Wasserman chose to donate his winning prize to the American Red Cross of Georgia. While the official ceremony will be held in Huntsville, Alabama in October, the check will arrive at the Red Cross sooner, Wasserman says.
The American Red Cross is able to carry out its humanitarian services and relief efforts, thanks to the generosity of the people like Bernie Wasserman, a Rhode Island native and a graduate of the University of Connecticut in Storrs, CT, where he got his BA and MBA.
So how did he end up with the Red Cross in Atlanta? In a recent interview with a Red Cross volunteer, Wasserman opened up about his life and work.
Before joining the FBI, he served five years in the U.S. Army Reserve. He also worked for four years with the Internal Revenue Service in Boston and Washington, D.C., before crossing over to join the FBI. As an FBI agent, he served in Charlotte and Kinston in North Carolina, Chicago, and Des Plaines Illinois, and eventually in Atlanta where he spent 20 years. His work assignments were primarily criminal investigations, and in the last several years, terrorism-related matters.
He and his wife, who is also a former FBI employee, met during work. The two have a son who lives with his family in Nashville, TN. After retiring from the FBI, Wasserman was hired as the first Security Director for the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA), with the main campus in Dunwoody. He retired from MJCCA, a non-profit, in 2007. It was at the Marcus Jewish Community Center that he saw volunteering firsthand, which inspired him to volunteer whenever the opportunity would present itself. A few years later, his journey with the American Red Cross began.
He joined the Disaster Action Team, believing it best suited him. “I chose DAT because I like to interview people, I am comfortable speaking to people,” Wasserman says. He is one of the longest-serving DAT volunteers in Atlanta. He also donated blood to the Red Cross in his youth.
The Dunwoody resident has already been on disaster relief operations (DROs) to New Jersey, Florida, Mississippi, and Louisiana. He is still active as a volunteer and serves Metro Atlanta. His wife also serves the community through faith-based organizations. Once at a local function, they met a person from the Atlanta chapter of the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI. Wasserman’s wife shared her husband’s work with the Society representative and because of this, his name was nominated for the annual humanitarian award.
Wasserman’s service and dedication won him honor and recognition. “Needless to say my wife is my biggest fan and is also a supporter of the Red Cross,” Wasserman says. “I am extremely honored to receive such an award along with $5,000 to be given to the charity of my choice, American Red Cross (Metro Atlanta Disaster Cycle Services).”
Wasserman credits his parents for his passion for giving back to the community. “They imparted to me the importance of helping others,” he says.
“My mother was always doing something to help others.” He was asked a fun question with no expectation of response. But Wasserman obliged. How close are the movies and TV programs to depicting a real FBI and its agents? “Almost none depict the reality of how the FBI agents operate, though Sopranos come close”, he replied with a chuckle. “There’s too much shooting shown that does not match the reality,” the former FBI agent says, “FBI agents work night and day to keep the community safe from criminals and terrorists.” As a full-time retiree, Wasserman is a dedicated Red Cross volunteer.