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The American Red Cross Northwest Region has announced the appointment of Will Willis, Chief MasterSergeant, U.S. Air Force (Retired) as its new director of Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) and International Services (IS), which serves Washington state and the five northern counties in Idaho.
Willis will lead the region’s Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces and International Services departments in providing Red Cross assistance to service members, veterans, and their families as well as families seeking reunification assistance and more through Red Cross International Services.
“As a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, I already had an appreciation for the American Red Cross,” said Willis. “Then, in 2020, I was invited to join the board of my local chapter in South Puget Sound. That experience deepened my understanding of the history and mission of this incredible organization. I knew it was something I wanted to be part of.”
Each year, the Red Cross Northwest Region provides thousands of services to the military community. From their first day of enlistment, service members are eligible for Red Cross assistance: from 24/7 emergency communications and access to financial support during emergencies, to information and referral services, to confidential reconnection, mind-body and resiliency workshops, to military hospital and clinic programs, veteran services and more.
“The Red Cross is a vital resource at military installations, treatment facilities and VA hospitals throughout Washington state,” said Willis. “I’m thrilled to join a team providing these programs and services to local military members, veterans and their families, and to combine my experience with their legacy of service.”
Willis will also lead the region’s International Services efforts. By reconnecting families separated by crises, helping to rebuild communities devastated by disasters, or working alongside health organizations to eliminate global disease, the International Services of the Red Cross works every day to provide relief in all corners of the globe.
Will enlisted in 1986 after graduating from East Saint Louis Senior High School, East Saint Louis, Ill. He held numerous positions including the 715th Air Mobility Operations Group in Hawaii, Headquarters Air Mobility Passenger Policy and Air Mobility Command’s Inspector General’s Office at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. Lastly, he served as the noncommissioned Officer in Charge of Operations for the J4 Directorate and as senior Air Force enlisted leader with the Special Operations Unit in Qatar.
In 2016, Will joined the Office of U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell as her Military/Veterans Constituency Services Representative where he provided constituent services to military members, veterans and their families for Washington State residents. He also advises Senator Cantwell on legislative issues as it pertains to military and veteran issues.
As a Red Cross board member, he has worked to bring greater awareness to the need for blood collection in diverse communities and built donor support for our Sickle Cell Initiative.
Will brings a depth of experience in both military and civilian communities, but most of all, he is a compassionate leader. He will assume the role as director of Service to the Armed Forces and International Services on November 20, 2023.
In Fiscal Year 2023, the Northwest Region of the American Red Cross provided support and resources to our military community. During this time, we have:
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
