Cory Paul is the Executive Director of the Greater Columbus Chapter of the American Red Cross. Cory got his start with the Red Cross as a volunteer for the Disaster Action Team where he provided financial assistance and emotional support to families that have experienced a house fire or other disaster. He was later hired as Disaster Program Manager where he coordinated volunteers and partner agencies to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters.

Cory is a Combat Veteran and served honorably for 6 years with the Ohio Army National Guard. In 2013, he deployed to Qalat, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. For 321 days, the 837th Engineer Company operated in one of the most kinetic areas of Southern Afghanistan.  They successfully completed 188 route clearance patrols covering over 13,000 km.  That is 3 times from LA to NY — all at about 10km per hour. Cory was one of two soldiers tasked within the Company Intelligence Support Team and was the Local National Linguist Liaison.

After his deployment, Cory returned to the Red Cross and resumed his role as Disaster Program Manager. In 2015, he was honored to accept a position as Regional Director of Service to the Armed Forces in Cincinnati where he coordinated volunteers to support America’s military and veteran families in 27 counties in the Tri-State area.  

In 2017, Cory was promoted to Executive Director of the Dayton Area Chapter of the American Red Cross.  His responsibilities included recruiting and developing local volunteers, fundraising to support the mission and development of a strong board of directors and thought leaders, to multiply the generosity and kindness of our community. Cory was Executive Director during the Memorial Day Tornadoes and the Oregon District Mass Shooting. 

Cory became the Executive Director of the Greater Columbus Chapter in late 2019 where he serves the mission of the Red Cross every day as leader, ambassador, and advocate of five lines of service:  Biomedical Services, Training Services, Disaster Cycle Services, Service to the Armed Forces, and International Services.  

Cory is a graduate of Ohio University with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Criminology. While at OU, Cory worked for Outdoor Pursuits as a SCUBA Leadership Divemaster, instructing forty students every quarter in lecture and practical pool exercises.  

In his spare time, Cory maintains his family cottage on Middle Bass Island, Ohio. He enjoys camping, hiking, fishing, and canoeing with his beautiful and talented wife, Jess, their hound dog Oatmeal, and their three-year-old daughter, Adeline. Jess and Cory are expecting their second child in January 2022.