The Mile High Chapter of the American Red Cross announced that Charley Shimanski, currently president and CEO of the Colorado Nonprofit Association, has been named the group’s new chief executive officer.
He begins his new duties in November, the Mile High Chapter said in a news release.
Former CEO Christine Benero served from more than four years before leaving in June to become president and CEO of the Mile High United Way.
“It is an honor to be afforded this tremendous opportunity,” Shimanski said in a statement. “The Mile High Chapter is rich in history and strong in its reputation – not just in Colorado, but throughout the American Red Cross system.”
Shimanski said his new job will merge his nonprofit vocation and his emergency response avocation: He is a member of Colorado’s Alpine Rescue Team with more than 20 years experience in helicopter and avalanche rescue.
He is also volunteer president and education director for the Mountain Rescue Association, a national group representing 2,000 volunteer search and rescue professionals.
The Colorado Nonprofit Association will be led by its vice president and CEO, Sharon Knight, while a search is launched for a new president, the group said in a statement.
