TAMPA, Fla. – August 1, 2024 – The Tampa Bay Chapter of the American Red Cross, serving Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties, welcomed its 2024-2025 volunteer Board of Directors at the board’s first meeting of the new fiscal year in July.

Michael D. Brown is Executive Director of the Chapter and also serves as the CEO of the Central Florida Region, headquartered in Tampa. "It is my pleasure to welcome and collaborate with volunteer leaders of diverse backgrounds and perspectives to mobilize our compassionate and generous nature into a force for good in our community."

Board members support and advocate for the organization’s humanitarian mission in the communities where they live and serve. In Fiscal Year 24 (July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024), more than 1,000 volunteers contributed over 26,700 hours of service to the Tampa Bay Chapter. Working alongside staff, volunteers assisted 400 families after local disasters like home fires and tornadoes, helped more than 4,500 people (adults and youth) prepare for disasters, and provided services to more than 2,260 veterans, military members and their families.

Board members serve three-year terms, up to nine years. All members reside in Hillsborough or Pinellas, the two counties served by the Tampa Bay Chapter with offices in Tampa and St. Petersburg. 

FY 25 Board of Directors (new members designated with an asterisk)

• Ela Sulimurski Landegger, Chair, Lifelong Community Volunteer
• Jeffrey Zurek, Vice Chair, Vice President, Steadman Wealth Management of Raymond James
• Lorraine Dutkowsky, Secretary, RN (retired)
• Jeff Franzen*, Real Estate Executive (retired)
• Jenette Sibayan Cruz, Senior Executive Assistant to the Managing Partner, New York Yankees
• Dr. Ken Guidera, Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon, Shriners Hospital for Children (retired)
• Darren Impson*, President, Paul Davis Restoration of Tampa
• Shawn Kwiatkowski, Managing Director, Bellwether Beach Resort and The Beachcomber
• Kevin Milkey, Owner, Grand Central Brewhouse
• Janet Moore*, Global Real Estate Advisor, Premier Sotheby’s International Realty Tampa Bay Region
• Honorable Harry Thomas, U.S. Ambassador (retired); Senior Fellow, Yale University
• Heidi Whidden*, Vice President, Tampa Electric Co.
• Anthony Zlacket*, Investment Manager, TGH Ventures and Tampa General Hospital

Ex-Officio Members

• Lea LeVines, Investment Advisor, Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC
• Joan Rhyne, President, Red Cross Angels of Tampa Bay

Lifetime Members

• Beverly Austin
• Sandra Brooks
• Dr. Stephen Dickey
• Sally Hill
• Jill Valenti

The Tampa Bay Chapter of the American Red Cross serves Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties with offices in Tampa and St. Petersburg. The Chapter is one of five that comprise the American Red Cross of Central Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands Region, serving 19 Florida counties and the Virgin Islands territories of St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John and Water Island. For more information, visit redcross.org/centralflorida. Also find us on Facebook and Twitter.

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.

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