By John Seward

Following the devastating Perryton tornados on June 15, 2023, leaders throughout the community reacted quickly to shepherd support for the Texas panhandle city. The American Red Cross arrived on the scene and learned very early on the resilience of the Perryton community. Central to this resilience are community leaders like Travis Preas, a long-time Perryton resident, who by day is a training specialist with Phillips 66.

Preas reflects on the early days of the disaster: “I was sitting at my desk at work and realized there was just so much that needed to be done.” He took vacation and quickly assumed leadership of the Perryton volunteer organizations active in disaster (VOAD) group, working countless hours to coordinate the activities of the dozens of volunteer agencies offering support in Perryton.

Preas has created and distributed daily briefings on all VOAD organizations and their service offerings and has undertaken the major task of coordinating across government agencies and voluntary organizations to provide wrap around services for all those impacted and constant resource prioritization. He has also tracked where resources are being deployed and their utilization to constantly adapt and respond to changing circumstances. Preas speaks often about the great work of the Red Cross and remarked “none of this” would be possible without our teamwork and collaboration.

Max Sanchez, a disaster program manager for the Red Cross and the organization’s community engagement and planning liaison in Perryton, said of Preas: “We would not be able to fulfil our mission without Travis and his leadership.”

On June 28, the Red Cross celebrated a $100,000 gift from Phillips 66 to support its responses across the State of Texas. It is organizations like Phillips 66 and staff like Preas who make our work possible. Thank you, Travis, and thank you Phillips 66 for your ongoing support.