The West Central Texas Chapter of the American Red Cross gathered volunteers, donors, and staff for its annual meeting held on June 11, 2013 in Valera, Texas,a central location between Brownwood and San Angelo. The meeting was well attended with almost 30 attendees.
The purpose of the meeting was to review current chapter activity and goals for the upcoming year and to elect new board members. The West Central Texas Chapter currently serves 13 counties with office locations in Brownwood and San Angelo. Current board members and members that attended the annual meeting elected Gene Deason as a new board member serving a three year term. “Gene is a great asset to our team and we are very thankful for his leadership, knowledge and expertise”, states Dr. Doyle Carter board chair.
Gene is a native of North Carolina and came to Brownwood from New Mexico in 1968 to attend Howard Payne University. Gene graduated in 1972 with a Bachelor of Business Administration and started his career in Brownwood with the Brownwood Bulletin. Gene served the community as Editor for almost 35 years and retired in 2012. Gene cares deeply about his community serving on several boards as chairman of the Mid-Tex Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, and chairman of the Douglas MacArthur Academy of Freedom at Howard Payne University and is a member of the Brownwood Rotary Club. He is a former board member of the Brown County United Way, Brownwood Chamber of Commerce, Brownwood Public Library, Downtown Brownwood Inc., and Texas Presbyterian Foundation. Gene was also named Brownwood Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year in 1997.
“Gene Deason has made community service an avocation for many years in the communities where he has lived and worked. I am delighted to see Gene bringing his experience and energy to our Red Cross Chapter’s Board” states Bill Blagg board member also from Brownwood.
Locally, the West Central Texas Chapter has responded to single family fires throughout the 13 counties served in addition to providing mobile feeding for emergency personnel fighting fires. Members of the Armed Forces are helped to get home in time of emergencies through Red Cross verification of emergency leave requests. First Aid, CPR, AED, Lifeguarding and other aquatics programs are offered year round at the chapter and in the community.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies more than 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.
