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Rear Admiral Michael N. Parks, United States Coast Guard, Retired, assumed the responsibilities in April 2015 as Regional Executive of the Northern Ohio Region of the American Red Cross. In this capacity he oversees five American Red Cross Chapters covering 31 Northern Ohio counties serving 5.3 million people.

From 2010 to 2013, Parks was based in Cleveland and served as Commander, Ninth Coast Guard District, responsible for leading and directing all Coast Guard operations throughout the eight-state Great Lakes region, including the 1,500-mile international border with Canada. In that capacity he led more than 6,000 active, reserve, civilian and auxiliary (volunteer) personnel at 75 operational units.

During his 35-year Coast Guard career, Parks was deployed in 2010 in support of the U.S. Southern Command to help direct emergency response following the devastating earthquake in Haiti, working directly with the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He also deployed in response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, providing port security, search and rescue, and support for recovery efforts.

While serving for over a decade in the Red Cross, Parks has deployed around the country more than a dozen times supporting major disaster relief efforts.

Parks has a Bachelor of Science degree in Government from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, a Master of Public Administration degree from George Washington University, and a Master of Science degree in National Security Strategy and Policy from the National War College.

He and his wife Cynthia have two daughters and live in Bay Village.

A Few Quotes From This Episode

• "It takes time to care... you can't care on the cheap."
• "Bad news doesn't get better with age."
• "Talk to people, not about people. Think the best of people. And don't overreact."

Resources

• Book: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
• Book: Failing Forward by John Maxwell

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