Red Cross exec heads to United Way

T.D. Smyers

TD Smyers, the chief executive officer for the American Red Cross North region, will join United Way of Tarrant County in a new combined role of chief operations officer and chief development officer, effective Nov. 30.

Smyers will help lead the strategic direction for United Way activities and will be responsible for expanding the agency’s fund-raising efforts. United Way of Tarrant County provides program support in the areas of education, health and financial stability to more than 40 local partner agencies.

“This is a new strategic role at United Way that will increase effectiveness and efficiency across different departments as well as connecting operations with resource development fundraising,” said Tim McKinney, president and CEO of United Way of Tarrant County. “It is an added benefit that TD comes with a real world perspective from one of United Way’s partner agencies.”

During his four-year tenure as CEO of the North Texas region of the American Red Cross, Smyers brought together 12 Red Cross chapters under one leadership structure.

- FWBP Digital Partners -

“TD understood the unique characteristics of such a change, and what would be needed to ensure the Red Cross culture stayed healthy throughout the transition. We’re honored that he served our mission, and we’re looking forward to working with him as he helps shape the future of United Way of Tarrant County,” said Tiffany Cason, Fort Worth chairman for the American Red Cross Serving DFW.

Smyers’ executive nonprofit background began after a successful career in the United States Navy. Smyers, who grew up in North Texas, retired in 2011 after his tour as Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, where he aligned strategic planning for five branches of the military. Prior to taking command of NAS Fort Worth JRB, Smyers served, consecutively, as director of Congressional Affairs/Legislative Liaison, then as director of Collaborative Warfare for Navy Aviation at the Pentagon.

A 2014 graduate of Leadership North Texas (LNT), Smyers now serves as president of the LNT

Alumni Association. He also serves on the boards of the North Texas Commission,

- Advertisement -

North Texas Leaders and Executives Advocating Diversity and Tarrant County College

Criminal Justice Training Center. He sits on the executive council of the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl and Fort Worth Executive Roundtable.

From 2012-2014, Smyers led the city of Fort Worth in the commissioning of USS Fort Worth as chairman of the commissioning committee, and then transitioned that body into an enduring support organization, serving as its first president.

Smyers earned a bachelor’s degree from the United States Naval Academy and a master’s degree from the National Defense University’s Industrial College of the Armed Forces.