Your American Red Cross has a new executive director. Debi Meeds comes to the Greater Ozarks (Springfield, Missouri) Chapter with a history with the American Red Cross.

Meeds began her Red Cross career as a volunteer. She served as an Assistant Station Manger in Yongsan, Korea beginning in 1991 and was a Health and Safety Administrator with the Seattle, WA Chapter before coming to Missouri. Meeds has most recently served as the Executive Director for the Southwest Missouri Chapter in Joplin. Prior to serving in Joplin, she was the director of health and safety with the Greater Ozarks Chapter. With almost 14 years experience as an American Red Cross employee, Meeds brings with her a strong sense of mission and commitment.

Meeds is a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), earning her diploma from Harris Hospital School of Nursing, Ft. Worth, TX. She holds a bachelor�s degree in psychology from Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA. She also earned a diploma in Korean Language and Culture from Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea, where she was class speaker at graduation. As the graduating class was made up of students from Japan, Italy, Spain, and Germany as well as the U.S., the speech was given in Korean, which was the class� only common language. She is involved in many community organizations and is proud of the fact that she just completed the Joplin Citizen�s Police Academy. �As the preparedness and response role of the American Red Cross continues to expand, developing and maintaining close ties with our partner agencies is more important than ever� Meeds said.

Of her new position, she says �I am so excited and proud to have been selected to lead the Greater Ozarks Chapter! As a long time Red-Crosser, the combination of a wonderfully caring and capable staff, the chapter�s reputation for excellent service delivery, and a supportive community makes this my dream job.�

The American Red Cross Greater Ozarks Chapter�s Board Chair Russ Marquart, the Search Committee (led by Amy Ruggeri, Vice Chair), Executive Committee and Board of Directors selected Meeds out of several applicants. She will begin her service with the American Red Cross Greater Ozarks Chapter Monday, February 7, 2005.

The Greater Ozarks Chapter serves 14 counties in the Springfield area. This is made possible by the generous support of our donors and more than 400 trained volunteers.