About our Board of Directors


		Position: Board Chair Bio: Bruce is currently a Managing Partner at Innovative Capital Partners, a consulting firm focused on business development for small business in the US and globally. Previously, Bruce worked at AT&T and Lucent Technologies for 36 years in a number of executive positions in operations, engineering, customer service, and professional services. Bruce also belongs to the Traverse City Rotary Club, and is the Treasurer for the SCORE Traverse City chapter associated with the TC Chamber of Commerce. Bruce lives in Williamsburg with his wife Susan, a retired elementary school teacher. Their oldest daughter, Kerri, is a Professor of Anthropology at North Central Michigan Community College in Petosky. Their other daughter, Tracey, is a cardiovascular specialist at Pfizer in the Detroit area.
	Bruce Finlayson

		Position: Vice-Chair Bio: Marshall Persky is a new addition to the Red Cross Board of Directors. Marshall, who is a retired Lieutenant Colonel, has been a member of the US Army Active Reserve for 22 years. He served two years on active duty, one of which was spent in Vietnam. Marshall is a graduate of the University of Connecticut and holds a Bachelors degree in Marketing. He retired in 2008 after 40 years with the world�s largest metal service center Ryerson Steel. Marshall has served as a board member for the Grand Traverse Pavilions Foundation, Third Level Crisis Intervention Center, SCORE, and has volunteer experience with the Human Rights Commission and Rotary International.
	Marshall Persky

		Position: Disaster Services Chair & Board Secretary Bio: Sandra Richardson has been a Red Cross volunteer instructor since 1996 and is a Disaster Services Instructor, a member of Disaster Services Human Resources, and represents the NW MI chapter on the Proud To Be American Committee. Sandra is a recipient of the 2006 Disaster Volunteer of the Year Award and received the Inland Seas Education Association Volunteer of the Year in 2008. She is a graduate of University of Toledo with a Master of Education degree from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. She served 10 years on the Board of Directors of Northeast Emergency Distribution Service providing emergency food and financial help to individuals in need. Sandra was also the founder and first president of the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri. She is married to Jim Richardson and they have one daughter, Julie Richardson, who lives in Columbus, Ohio.
	Sandra P. Richardson - M. Ed.

		Position: Finance Chair Bio: Joe Sarafa is a new addition to the Red Cross Board of Directors. Joe, a Detroit native, has been a resident of Leelanau County since 2002 and serves as a managing partner for Crema, a downtown Traverse City cafe and coffee house. Joe is currently a Eucharistic Minister at St. Francis Catholic church and is also president of the Master Gardner Association of Northwest Michigan (MGANM). Joe has worked with a number of charitable organizations throughout the state including Thumbs Down Coalition, Feed the Hungry, and the Harmony Project. He graduated Cum Laude from the University of Michigan and went on to earn his law degree from the University of Detroit. When Joe is not busy working, his greatest pleasure is spending time with his wife Kelley and their two children Joseph and Aly.
	Joe Sarafa

		Position: USCG Liaison Bio: The Northwest Michigan Chapter is proud to welcome Commander Jonathan Spaner to its Board of Directors. CDR Spaner reports to Air Station Traverse City from Washington, DC where he served as Deputy Chief of the Coast Guard Office of Budget and Programs. In 2002, CDR Spaner was one of 13 people nationwide appointed by the president to serve as a White House Fellow. He served as Special Assistant to the President�s Homeland Security Advisor and advanced the following year to White House Director for Port and Cargo Security on the Homeland Security Council Staff. CDR Spaner is a Cum Laude graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY where he served as Regimental Commander. He holds an M.S. in Management from Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN and is a Distinguished Graduate from U.S. Naval Pilot Training in Pensacola, FL. His military awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal and others. CDR Spaner is married to Laura Bardani and they have two children, Teddy 5, and Madeleine 2.
	CDR Jonathan Spaner

		Position: New Member - March 2010 Bio: Doug Morgenstern is a Vice President, Commercial Banking Relationship Manager with Fifth Third Bank in Traverse City. He joined Fifth Third in January 2009 and has over 20 years of banking experience after graduating from Western Michigan University in 1989. Since moving to Traverse City in 2005, Morgenstern has been active with his children and their school activities and a strong supporter of the United Way of Northwest Michigan. Prior to moving to Traverse City, he was very involved with numerous community organizations in the Muskegon and West Michigan communities. He was a member of the Muskegon Rotary Club and served on the Board of Directors for The American Red Cross serving Muskegon, Oceana and Newaygo Counties (Treasurer), Muskegon Museum of Art and The Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce (Treasurer). He served as Chair for the Muskegon County United Way campaign in 2003. Additionally, he was involved with the Community Foundation for Muskegon County serving on their Distribution and External Relations committees and a founding member of the Next Generation group. He has been active in fundraising and development for Habitat for Humanity and The Michigan College�s Foundation. Morgenstern also served on the board of The Hume Home for the Aged, The Muskegon Family YMCA and worked as a classroom consultant for Junior Achievement. He, his wife, Jennifer, and their three children reside in the Traverse City area, attend St. Francis Catholic Church and enjoy traveling as a favorite family activity.
	Douglas Morgenstern

About our Board of Directors

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