Red Cross Southeast chapter names new executive director
The American Red Cross Southeast Mississippi Chapter has named John McCarty is new executive director.
He begins his new duties on August 21.
McCarty succeeds John McFarland, who died of cancer in May. He was 76. McFarland served the Red Cross for more than eight years as its executive director. He had worked with the organization as a volunteer for years before that, often emceeing events.
Though born in Hattiesburg due to his father’s role in the military McCarty grew up in various posts his father was assigned to in Germany, Alabama, Kansas, Texas, and California. After high school, McCarty returned to Hattiesburg as a student at the University of Southern Mississippi.
McCarty has worked primarily in the nonprofit sector during his professional career. His first experience on the Gulf Coast was with Mississippi Faith Based Coalition assisting families in the pursuit of resources that could help them rebuild their lives after Hurricane Katrina.
While at HOPE Enterprise Corporation, he created indelible relationships across industry sectors that helped organizations and community members realize not only the possibilities but the reality of financial freedom. McCarty has worked diligently for those in need including the unsheltered. From case worker to director of planning for the HUD Continuum of Care Open Doors Homeless Coalition, McCarty coordinated the Point in Time Count, Project Homeless Connect, and monitored the grants administered to coalition members.
He has worked with the Gulf Coast Credit Union as Chapter Vice President, Open Doors Homeless Coalition as Board Chair, been a member on the Unit Board for Boys and Girls Club of the Gulf Coast, Back Bay Mission Advisory Board, the Mississippi Coast Chamber’s Diversity Committee, and the United Way of South Mississippi board.
McCarty also is a graduate of Leadership Gulf Coast, Leadership Mississippi, Mississippi Black Leadership Institute, and Gulf Coast Business Council Masters Leadership Program.
