“Fishing with my great friends at the Red Cross was really the best experience in the world, and [as] you can imagine, when Frank Miller is in the house, we laughed the entire time. In fact, we probably laughed more than we fished.”
Christie Phillips contributed this Q&A with ARCRA Board Member Sumner Hutcheson III
Photos by Sumner Hutcheson III
When were you employed at the American Red Cross? What positions did you Hold, and where?
My 35-year Red Cross career started in Miami, Florida (my home) as the Youth Services Program coordinator. I was then promoted to director of Youth Services. I moved to the Washington, D.C. Chapter/National Capital Region and served as the director of Disaster Service, Brookland Service Center manager, and manager of Community Services. I then moved to the Pennsylvania Capitol Region Chapter in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, as CEO. My next job was as the Mid-Atlantic Region executive officer at National Headquarters. My last position with the American Red Cross was as CEO of the American Red Cross of Central Florida in Orlando.
What experiences did you bring to the Red Cross?
I was completing my master of social work administration degree as I started my career. That degree was instrumental in my success throughout my tenure with the Red Cross. I also served as president of the Red Cross club in elementary school and was a Red Cross-certified water safety instructor and lifeguard.
What have you done since then that uses or builds upon your Red Cross experience?
I developed a strong ability in fundraising both as a United Way loaned executive and campaign supervisor in both Miami and Washington, D.C.. That helped me with my Red Cross responsibility as CEO of two chapters where I doubled the budgets in both locations in less than five years. I also used those management and fundraising skills as vice president/advancement at three universities following my American Red Cross career.
What was your favorite or most memorable Red Cross experience, and why?
My favorite and most memorable Red Cross experience came as I accepted my first chapter CEO job in Harrisburg. I was able to grow that chapter operation significantly with the help of an outstanding board of directors and community donors, many of whom have a long family history of supporting the American Red Cross.
What do you do for fun now?
I have been a professional photographer for most of my adult life, and now it is my favorite hobby—that is, when I am not fishing in the Florida Keys.
Tell us about staying connected with former Red Crossers, including fishing trips with Harold Brooks?
COVID provided an excellent opportunity for me and many of my Red Cross friends to connect via video conferencing. My Mid-Atlantic friends and associates held several video calls. Blacks in the Red Cross also have held several video calls in recent years. Social media has also been a great way to stay connected.
In recent years, I have had the opportunity to reconnect with associates like Harold as a volunteer with the IFRC, assisting with the development of Red Cross societies in the Caribbean.
What advice would you give to recent former American Red Cross employees or those who are about to leave the organization?
I would advise them to keep their ARC connections as strong as possible and know there IS LIFE after their Red Cross careers.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
The photos [top of story] that I’m sharing are of our fishing club. We try to go fishing about every few years. Pictured are Howard Lipman, former CEO of ARC of Greater Miami and the Keys, “Little Brother” Frank Miller, former CEO in Baltimore, former ARCRA President Harold Brooks, and me. The photos were taken on our last fishing trip to Key West.
All photos taken by Sumner Hutcheson, III
