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March 3, 2008

Reverend Holt to step down as Red Cross CEO

The Rev. John E. Holt will leave his job as chief executive officer of the American Red Cross's Rhode Island chapter effective July 1, the Red Cross announced today.

Mr. Holt will return to the ministry, becoming pastor of Osterville United Methodist Church in Cape Cod, Mass.

Mr. Holt served for several years as executive minister of the Rhode Island State Council of Churches before joining the American Red Cross.

“It has been an honor to serve as CEO of the American Red Cross Rhode Island Chapter,” Mr. Holt said in the statement. “Every day, I am amazed to witness the way our dedicated volunteers and staff assist Rhode Islanders in crisis. It has also been gratifying to see how much the corporate community, government, philanthropic organizations and the citizens of our state value our service.

Mr. Holt said the ministry is his "first calling" and that "when my bishop offered me the opportunity to return to the parish, I gladly accepted."

Terry Schwennesen, who leads the Rhode Island Red Cross' board, stated: “We are grateful for John’s outstanding leadership and dedication to the chapter’s mission to prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies in Rhode Island. In just two years, John has increased the chapter’s ability to respond to a large scale emergency in Rhode Island and has forged strong partnerships that we hope will remain in effect long after his departure.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 12:15 PM | Permalink

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