Red Cross taps Rhodes as CEO for North Texas

Longtime nonprofit leader Keith Rhodes has been named the new chief executive officer for the North Texas Region of the American Red Cross.

Rhodes has spent the past 24 years supporting youth, especially those at highest risk for dropping out of school, using drugs or becoming homeless.

“We immediately recognized that Keith’s past experiences steering youth at Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys Town and Methodist Home for Children of New Orleans prepared him to lead our cause at the American Red Cross,” said Sharon Jaksa, division vice president for the American Red Cross. “We are thrilled to have him on our team, especially leading one of our busiest and most effective regions.”

Rhodes will be responsible for enhancing the organization’s mission across the region’s121 counties.

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Currently, the North Texas Region has an annual fundraising goal of $9.4 million. Rhodes believes that goal can be significantly surpassed.

“The more people we can talk to about this incredible mission, the more confident I am that our community will support our critical work,” he said.

Rhodes said that aside from disaster response, raising public awareness about how the organization supports U.S. military members and their families is paramount.

“As service members return home from Iraq and Afghanistan in increasing numbers, it’s critical that they know how to access the American Red Cross for assistance. I’ll be working with community leaders to ensure that we’re raising adequate funds and providing as many programs as we can for all of our lines of service, including our support to military families,” Rhodes said.

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Born and reared in rural Alaska as the son of a state trooper, Rhodes was a student athlete at Grambling State University, where he completed his undergraduate degree and a master’s degree in criminology.

He is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and Rotary International. He also supports Second Harvest Food Bank and Boy Scouts of America and serves on the board of North Texas LEAD.