Prior to joining the Texas Gulf Coast Region as the Interim Chief Executive Officer, he held positions as the Chief Executive officer in Louisiana and prior to that, the Regional Chief Operating Officer in Colorado and Wyoming. He has also served in Interim positions as Executive Director and the Service to the Armed Forces and International Service Director in Colorado and Wyoming and deployed as Chief of Staff for both the 2020 Oregon Fires and the 2021 Kentucky Tornado responses. He has been with the Red Cross more than 5 years.
Shawn has a long history of professional, government and public service experience. His past positions include serving as Deputy Director for the Southwest Region of AmeriCorps, National Civilian Community Corps, and retiring from the U.S. Army. He has learned to cultivate partnerships that yield win-win scenarios, renew confidence with elected and community leaders, and support local staff in growing a strong volunteer base while continually engaging stakeholders.
Jake brings a wealth of experience and dedication, having served the American Red Cross for the past 19 years in various leadership roles. Originally hailing from Oklahoma, Jake has embraced Houston as his home over the past 6 years, and he is a proud Houstonian.
Over the last six years, Jake has made significant contributions to our region. He began his journey here as the Regional Volunteer Services Officer, where he successfully led our team through the transition of the Volunteer Services department. Most recently, he has been serving as our Regional Chief Operating Officer, playing a vital role in propelling our region to the forefront of using technology to enhance our mission and work.
Before joining the Texas Gulf Coast Region, Jake served as the Regional Volunteer Service Officer, where he skillfully led the Volunteer Services team through a merger encompassing three regions into the Oklahoma Arkansas region. His experience also includes a critical role in supporting local fundraising efforts following the devastating 2013 tornadoes in Moore, Oklahoma, and the surrounding communities.
In the earlier stages of his career, Jake worked in various front-line roles, supporting three rural chapters in Oklahoma. These roles included Executive Director, Disaster Program Support, and Training Services Administrator. It was during these formative experiences that Jake's unwavering passion for the Red Cross mission took root, and he developed a deep love for serving alongside others.
Brittney Rochell is the Regional Communications Director. Brittney serves the Texas Gulf Coast Region as well as is a member of the National Spokesperson team for the American Red Cross. Brittney is an energetic, creative, and innovative public relations professional with experience in media relations, internal and external communications distribution, and crisis communications. Brittney joined the Red Cross in April 2017 as the Regional Manager of Communications with a goal of helping raise the public’s awareness of the Red Cross and the mission. In August of 2017, she was promoted to the Regional Director of Communications and Marketing where she developed a strategy to increase the visibility of the Red Cross across Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kansas. She comes to the Gulf Coast region with a wealth of knowledge and experience on brand management and creating a strong following and visibility for the Red Cross. She obtained an associate’s degree in Interdisciplinary Sciences from Cameron University, and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Agricultural Communications from Oklahoma State University.
Tom brings over 20 years of invaluable experience in sales leadership, executive business planning, and operational expertise to our organization. His most recent position was as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at OnWatch Security Corporation, a prominent advanced security and protection company renowned for employing off-duty police officers and VIP close proximity professionals.
Before his tenure at OnWatch, Tom spent 13 years coaching senior leaders within some of the world's largest corporations across the United States, Europe, Central Asia, and Canada. Additionally, he dedicated 6 years to directing the Global Account Sales Operations and Pricing team, focusing on revenue growth and maximizing operating contributions for HP's top 100 global accounts. In this role, he also spearheaded productivity enhancement programs for 4,283 sales representatives throughout the Americas region.
Tom's educational background is equally impressive. He earned a Bachelor of Sales Administration from Brigham Young University and holds a multitude of professional, sales, and leadership certifications. He is the accomplished author of the novel "Riddles in Time" and the Sales Playbook titled "Secrets to Outsell Your Competition."
Kimberly is the region’s Service to the Armed Forces and International Services Director. In this role she helps members of the military, veterans and their families prepare for, cope with, and respond to, the challenges of military service. She also supports military veterans in their reintegration journey by providing resiliency workshops, and works hand-in-hand with veterans’ hospitals and homes connecting them with resources and social services. Working with the military and their families is a natural fit for Kimberly since she too is an Army veteran. Her military experience stoked a passion for helping military members and communities by way of civilian positions with the Department of Defense, the Army and Texas National Guard, and the National Guard Bureau. She can proudly say that her career’s work has allowed her to be a key contributor in writing policy and doctrine for veterans’ programs and continues to work in the best interest of veterans by identifying gaps in services offered in the community and then facilitating solutions. Kimberly was born and raised in Alaska where she hiked, fished, and camped her way through childhood. After graduation, she joined the Army National Guard and then the Army Reserve. She currently resides in Houston with her loving husband and enjoys spending as much time as possible with her three children and four grandchildren and enjoys taking them on outdoor adventures.
Natalie Warren serves as the Executive Director for the Southeast and Deep East Texas Chapter of the American Red Cross. Natalie has been with the American Red Cross for over 10 years, serving in Disaster Cycle Services. Over the course of her career with our organization she has mentored and lead many of our staff into successful roles throughout the Texas Gulf Coast Region. In addition to her work across our Texas Gulf Coast, Natalie has served beyond the region on several major relief operations and has been recognized continuously for her outstanding service and leadership abilities. A few deployments have included Hurricane Ian (Florida), the catastrophic Eastern Kentucky floods, the TPC explosion (Pt. Neches), Hurricane Harvey (Texas), Tropical Storm Imelda (Texas) and many others throughout the country.
Prior to joining the American Red Cross Natalie was the Disaster Case Manager Supervisor with the Deep East Texas Council of Governments managing a large staff providing disaster recovery assistance. In her successful execution of these duties Natalie was responsible for the development of procedures which eliminated the challenges of identifying problem areas, service gaps and barriers to service. Natalie’s commitment to humanitarian and community relations has led her to serve as President and Vice president for Southeast Texas VOAD (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster) for the past 8 years. Her passion for the volunteer spirit will continue through her advocacy for the Texas Women’s and Children’s Shelters. Natalie speaks on behalf of women and children who have been abused or displaced from their primary residence by seeking permanent shelter and immediate emergency needs to better their living situations and safety.
Angelina R. Garcia serves as the Executive Director of the Coastal Bend Chapter of the American Red Cross. Angelina (Angie) is a non-profit leader with over 26 years of experience. In her recent service to the community, Angelina served as Senior Director of Programs and Grants and Acting Executive Director during multiple periods of transition with Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi and Mother Teresa Shelter. As the Senior Director of Programs & Grants Angelina focused on sustaining essential services and oversight of the Long-Term Disaster response to Hurricane Harvey. Her professional experiences include serving as the Community Outreach Coordinator for CHRISTUS Spohn Health System, where she managed care teams comprised of Registered Nurses and Patient Navigators ensuring the continuum of care for patients discharging from in-patient care.
Angelina’s commitment to the community includes appointments to the Corpus Christi Mayor’s Fitness Council – Community Outreach/Special Events, West Oso School Health Advisory Council, Success by 6 Coalition – United Way of the Coastal Bend and recognized as LULAC Council #1, “2022 Outstanding Community Leader”. Angelina has a bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. She is a life-long resident of Corpus Christi where she enjoys time with her two Children and three grandchildren!
Mia Bendixsen serves as the Executive Director for the Coastal Plains Texas Chapter of the American Red Cross. Mia has more than 20 years’ experience in non-profit fundraising and management, as well as in direct mail, communications and fundraising for political campaigns. Mia can translate and convey highly-technical concepts and ideas into successful campaigns, marketing strategies and fundraising initiatives for non-profit, political and corporate clients. Among her non-profit positions, Mia has served as the Director of Development for the Boy Scouts Cradle of Liberty Council in Philadelphia, the Director of Philanthropy for the Humane Society of the United States for New England, and Managing Director, Hadassah Mountain Southwest which covers 10 states and 40 Chapters and two regions. She has also served on boards for organizations supporting women’s issues and animal advocacy issues.
Bendixsen holds a J.D. from Boston University School of Law, a B.A. in Film and Television Production from Loyola Marymount University, and attended the George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management. Mia is an avid scuba diver, hiker, dog rescuer, traveler and writer. She began her service with the Red Cross starting December 21, 2022.