Without a doubt, meeting and getting to know members of the Red Cross stands as the best part of my job. From my first interaction, my employment interview, I’ve met some of the finest people I’ve ever known while I’ve worked with the Red Cross. That first interview introduced me to Board Members Glenda Stock, Duane Blackwell, Ann Brame Silver, and Russell Davis—people who have taught me more about business than I learned in college and all my other jobs combined. The Board of Directors has included community leaders from all over Central Louisiana including Charlotte Wasmer, Ben Sandifer, Gil McKee, Reldon Owens, Russell Davis, Freddie Price, Rodney Hatch, James Lee, Amy Pillarisetti, Mary McCampbell, Acie Murry, Dorman Clayton, Alva Lary, Tina Coker, Randy Briggs, Goldia and Bill Mustain, Christie Wood, Michael Truelove, Jacqueline Green, Joy Nalty Hodges, Arun Karsan, Grace Allen, Tracy Alletag, Tripp Dungan, Keith Tarver, Bill Thomas, Regina Washington, Sonya Wiley-Gremillion, Judy Lann, Judy Bordelon, Cathy Robinson, Mary Barbry, Susan Cartwright, Blake Chatelain, Denise Evans, Charla Ducote, Elizabeth Foote, Annette Ford, Richard Hare, Mike Green, Ann Montanio, Cynthia Cespiva, Cindy Humphries, Diane Holeman, and many others who served alongside my predecessor and friend Connie Augustine. Their leadership has not waivered even as the Red Cross in Central Louisiana has responded to the nation’s largest disasters in US history: Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike. The tireless work and leadership of the Board of Directors has moved our Red Cross from a small building on the corner of Jackson and 18th, the property originally donated by the Hardtners, to our current location at 425 Bolton Avenue, the former Cotton Brothers Building which also served as the home to Southern and then Continental Bus Line, founded in Alexandria by Morgan Walker.
Over the past seven years, I’ve loved getting to know our volunteers and donors and am humbled by their dedication and compassion. I could write about a different volunteer or donor every day for the next seven years and still not recognize all the people who have gone above and beyond to help people in need.
