Jim Hamilton, CEO of the American Red Cross Serving King & Kitsap Counties, recently accepted an offer from the National American Red Cross to become one of eight executives to manage the new “service areas” being established to improve the organization’s delivery of emergency and preparedness services across the United States.

Hamilton will be the first Service Area Executive for “Area 2,” a new geographic unit effective July 1 and to encompass Washington State (and nine other western states). He will remain the King & Kitsap Red Cross Chapter CEO until June 1st, and then will assume his responsibilities at Area 2 headquarters in Las Vegas.

“Our chapter will be losing an excellent leader who has done a great job in very challenging times, “says Robb Bakemeier, chairman of the board for the local Red Cross chapter. “Since his arrival shortly before the Nisqually Earthquake nearly three years ago, through the trauma of the September 11th response, and in difficult economic circumstances, we have been fortunate to have Jim at the helm.”
  “He will be missed very much,” adds Bakemeier. “The National Red Cross’s gain is our significant loss, but Jim’s leadership will continue to guide our Chapter through his new duties. His promotion reflects the excellence of our local staff and volunteers, and the quality of the service they provide to help our community prepare for and respond to emergencies.”

For more information contact the Red Cross Volunteer and Community Resources Office at (360) 377-3761 ext 13403 or online at www.seattleredcross.org.