Following a search that began in January, the American Red Cross Rhode Island Chapter announced Tuesday the selection of a new chief executive officer: John E. Holt, of Newport. Holt starts his new post Monday, May 15.
Holt will replace Dan Samborn, the former CEO, who left the local Red Cross chapter in early December to pursue other opportunities. He was the CEO for approximately 14 months.
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Most recently, Holt served as executive minister of the Rhode Island State Council of Churches and executive director of the Interfaith Counseling Center since 2001. In that capacity, he led the Rhode Island faith community’s response to Hurricane Katrina, the housing of families in Middletown, and the Asian tsunami.
Holt also served as chair of the Station Nightclub Fire Relief Fund, where he worked with relief agencies, nonprofit organizations, the business community, philanthropic organizations, and government to raise and expend $3.4 million on behalf of those who lost loved ones or were injured in the fire.
“My interest in the Red Cross came about due to my involvement with the Station nightclub fire and the relief effort to the Katrina Middletown families,” Holt said in a statement. “I witnessed first-hand how well the local chapter responded to those incidents, and I know that its volunteers are ready to respond to disasters large and small in Rhode Island.”
The search committee for the new CEO included Bryan Adriance of Cranston Print Works, Glen Palmer of Lifespan, Donna-Jean Rainville of Citizens Bank, and Terry Schwennesen of National Grid.
Holt’s current community involvement includes, among others: Co-chair, United Way Homeless Leadership Council; chair, executive committee, Housing Works of Rhode Island; co-chair, advisory board, Youth-in-Action; member, One Rhode Island Coalition; 2004 Rhode Island Foundation Fellow; member, Providence Police Advisory Commission; board member, Jewish Family Service; member, U.S. Civil Rights Commission Advisory Committee; and board member, Urban League.
