The American Red Cross recently announced that Gary Strong has been selected to fill the role of Regional Chief Executive Officer for the American Red Cross Gold Country Region.

Strong joins the Red Cross after completing a successful career in the newspaper business. He served as Senior Vice President of Finance for the Sacramento Bee and Controller of the Los Angeles Times. As a Certified Public Accountant he also worked for Ernst & Young in Los Angeles where he served as audit manager in charge of clients representing a wide variety of industries.

“Gary brings a special combination of head and shoulders leadership, mission focus, resource stewardship, and people skills that are very well suited for his new responsibilities,” said Justin Matheson, Chair of the Board of Directors for the American Red Cross Gold Country Region.

In his new position, Strong will oversee the Red Cross services in the Gold Country Region, which is comprised of the Sierra Delta and the Northeastern California Chapters. Strong now leads a team of more than 2,000 volunteers and 40 employees who respond to nearly 800 local disasters each year and serve close to five million residents in the 24-county region with lifesaving programs. Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties are included in the region.

“I’m very excited to start my new career with the American Red Cross,” said Strong. “The legacy of innovation, compassion, and volunteerism in this community is powerful and I am honored to be a part of carrying that forward. Each and every day the Red Cross is providing amazing services to those in need. I am proud to join the dedicated local volunteers, employees, board members, and generous community and corporate partners in delivering the Red Cross services to those living and working in our Region.”

Although new to the staff position with the organization, Strong has been a longtime supporter of the Red Cross having served as a Board Member and Board Chair of the American Red Cross, Rio Hondo in Whittier, CA. Here in the Gold Country Region, Strong helped to oversee the implementation of chapter mergers during his tenure as Board Chair.

He earned his Bachelors of Arts in Business Economics from the University of California at Santa Barbara.