American Red Cross Elects New Member to National Board of Governors

WASHINGTON, July 27, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Red Cross has elected to its National Board of Governors Kirt Walker, President and Chief Operating Officer, Nationwide Financial. As a Board member, Walker brings a deep breadth of business operations, finance and investments experience to the American Red Cross to help further serve its mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies.

The Red Cross is led by a Board of Governors with all of the powers of governing and directing, as well as overseeing the management of the business and affairs of the organization. At the Annual Meeting of the Red Cross held on July 26, 2017, delegates from local Red Cross chapters elected Walker to a three-year term.

"Kirt Walker is an exceptional leader who brings tremendous business acumen to the Red Cross as well as a profound knowledge of finance and investments. We're honored to welcome him to the Red Cross Board of Governors." said Chairman Bonnie McElveen-Hunter. "Together, we will ensure the American Red Cross continues its vital mission to deliver comfort, relief and hope for tomorrow in the face of disaster and emergency."

Kirt Walker is President and Chief Operating Officer of Nationwide Financial. He was named to this position in October 2009 after having served in various leadership positions for Nationwide Insurance including President and COO (February 2009); President, Exclusive Operations (November 2008); and President, Eastern Operations (March 2006). Prior to his work with Nationwide Insurance, Walker spent several years with Allied Insurance, Nationwide's independent agency channel. He was named President of Allied Insurance in September 2003, having served in various leadership roles. Walker initially joined the Nationwide family of companies in 1986 and held various life and property/casualty sales and underwriting positions with Allied. Walker was a member of the American Red Cross of Greater Columbus Board of Directors from 2007-2016, which included service as Board Chair from 2010-2012. A graduate of Iowa State University, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in management and holds a Master of Science degree from The American College.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

SOURCE American Red Cross