Board Member Spotlight – Mike Gallagher

By Erin Thayse, American Red Cross Volunteer

Today,  Mike Gallagher begins his term as the American Red Cross of Northeast Wisconsin Chapter Board Chair at the start of our new fiscal year.  We sat down with Mike to learn a little bit more about him to share with our volunteers and donors. 

Background

Current Location:  Schreiber Foods, Inc.  Director of Yogurt Strategy

Career History: Have been with Schreiber since 2001, prior to that was VP of supply chain for WG&R Furniture for 4 years and 2 years as a consulting engineer for HNTB Corporation in Chicago

Volunteer History: Have served in volunteer roles with the Boy Scouts of America, Schreiber Community Impact Team, Pop Warner Football, and coaching local baseball and soccer teams

American Red Cross

Board Member Since: 2008

Board Chair Since: Term starts July ‘13

Responsibilities/Duties as a Board Chair: As board chair I believe the chief responsibility is engaging fellow board members in the mission and fund raising goals of the Red Cross.  Ensuring that the many skills and interests of these volunteers are leveraged to create value for the people we serve.  The role also offers the opportunity to attend national briefings and share this information with our team.

Questions

How did you become Board Chair of the Northeast Wisconsin Chapter of the Red Cross?

Having been a member of the organization for the past five years and wanting to continue to add value, it was as simply as saying “yes” when approached by Steve Hansen, our regional COO.

 Since 2008, what has been your most memorable moment since joining the Red Cross board?

There are several, but the most memorable has been serving as the fundraising chair for Staci Kring, A Schreiber co-worker, in the 2012 DWOS event.  Being able to increase the awareness about what the Red Cross does in our community with 800 coworkers was a tremendous experience.  It was even more gratifying to obtain $47,000 in financial support and have many of these partners attend the event and continue their support for the Red Cross beyond the dancing event.

At our 2013 Spring Celebration of Support event. (l-r) Shawn Kiser, Special Events, Kate Burgess, Jody Weyers, Volunteer Director, Mike Gallagher, Board Chair.

What has been the chapter’s biggest achievement since you have joined the board?

There are several areas where our region shines: raising funds, wildly successful special events, and supporting the community and individuals in times of need.  However, I think one of the biggest achievements we’ve made is in successfully executing the consolidation and restructuring that has occurred over the past two years.  When I speak with a donor, I’ve always been proud to say that more than 90% of the funds donated go directly to the people we serve.  The efforts we’ve just completed will continue to make the Red Cross one of the most efficient and effective charitable organizations in the world.

What do you hope to accomplish by being Board Chair?

At the end of the day, our mission is to serve people in times of need.  As chair,  my focus will be on sharing the mission and working hard to support that mission by engaging people to donate to the American Red Cross.

Have you completed a full marathon yet?

It’s still on the bucket list… I’ve completed several half marathons, but haven’t found the right time to balance work, family, coaching youth sports and this goal.  I’ve also replaced a some of my running time with biking as my knees thank me the next morning 😉

American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter Recognizes Outstanding Volunteers and Contributors

The American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter held its Annual Meeting and Volunteer Awards Banquet June 22, 2010 at the Rock Garden in Green Bay. We were pleased to have 182 volunteers and guests attend the event sponsored by the Ameriprise Auto & Home Insurance and Lyndahl Funeral Home.

 The officers elected to the Lakeland Chapter Board of Directors include; Eric Witczak, Nicolet National Bank, Board  Chair; Chris Vanderheyden, Double Digit Sales Growth, LLC, Vice Chair; Cathy Dworak, Green Bay Packers, Secretary, and Mike Gallagher, Schreiber Foods, Treasurer.

Following the annual meeting and dinner, the following individuals and groups were recognized for their outstanding volunteer support.

L-R Steve Maricque, Executive Director, Amy Hess, Judy Gregory, Disaster Services Director

 Amy Hess, Kerrie Forster Emergency Services Award for exceptional work in preparation and response to disasters in our community.

Rich Hermans, Earl and Viola Nelson Health and Safety Award for outstanding dedication to Health and Safety Services.

Pulaski Senior Center Red Cross Volunteer Drivers, Andrew Janssen Transportation Award for providing quality transportation throughout the community for seniors and those with disabilities.

 Janet Gollnick, DanceSport of Green Bay, Community Volunteer Services Award for dedication to the spirit and growth of promoting the American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter and volunteerism in the community.

American Transmission Company, Corporate Benefactor Award presented to a business that has provided exceptional level of commitment and support of the American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter.

Jeff Bassindale, Individual Benefactor Award for achieving an exceptional level of commitment and support financially for the American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter.

Eric Witczak, Mrs.Crane (Mary) Murphy Award for exceptional contributions by a board member to the advancement of the American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter.

Steve Maricque, Executive Director, Kimberly Sawyer, 2010 Miss Wisconsin, and Eric Witczak, New Board Chair and recipient of the Mrs. Crane (Mary) Murphy Board Award

Richard Nelson, Ed McHugh Worker of the Year Award for exceptional reliability and dedication to the blood program

Kalie Mullins, Pulaski High School, Teen Lifeline Award, designed to recognize outstanding leadership among the Teen Lifeline Representatives of the ten area high schools.

 Our Lady of Lourdes Blood Drive Callers, Business, Group or Organization of the Year Award, presented to the group for years of dedication to the American Red Cross Blood Services program

Curt Dhein, Tosca Ltd., Hillary Lesperance Blood Services Award for demonstrating extraordinary support and significant impact on the Blood Services Program

Jerry Prellwitz, Volunteer of the Year Award for demonstrating long-term commitment and exceptional work to multiple programs of the American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter

Steve Maricque, Executive Director, Jody Weyers, Volunteer and Communications Director, Jerry Prellwitz, recipient of the Volunteer of the Year, Judy Gregory, Emergency Services Director, and Tina Whetung, Transportation Office Manager

 The Lakeland Chapter serves Brown, Door, Kewaunee, Marinette, Menominee (WI), Menominee (MI), Oconto and Shawano Counties and is located at 2131 Deckner Avenue, Green Bay 54302.

 About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

Board Spotlight: Mike Gallagher

Mike Gallagher brings energy to his position on the Lakeland Chapter Board with a genuine interest in helping the American Red Cross. He is an active supporter through his help on the finance committee and with the Annual Door County Golf Event.

Eric Witczak, Vice Chair of Lakeland Chapter Board, suggested Mike for the Board and when he was looking for a good person for the Finance Committee he came up with Mike’s name again. “I don’t think I asked him. I think I volunteered him and he obliged,” says Eric.

“I suggested Mike because he seemed like a go-getter, one that doesn’t just sit back and watch others,” says Eric. “Mike gets involved, gets results and is always looking for ways to make the organization even better.”

In the past, Mike has demonstrated his commitment to community through participation in organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America and spending several years as co-chair of Schreiber’s community impact team.

Mike thinks helping those in need keeps him focused. “It makes you take a step back to realize there is more than oneself or the company you work for and to think about the community and make sure we are taking care of those in need.”

Mike says it’s a privilege to be part of some of the decision-making processes and to raise money for an organization as selfless as the Red Cross. He really enjoys working on projects and fundraisers that make a big impact because they help people when they need it.  “Due to the relatively small board, members can feel like they are making a tangible impact on an organization that benefits the community.”

“I have two nice kids and a wonderful wife,” says Mike. Mike and his wife, Melissa, have two boys who are 4 and 8. The family enjoys traveling and spending time together. Along with participating in the Boy Scouts, Mike also enjoys being an assistant coach depending on what his boys are involved in that season.

Mike w/ his team from the Red Cross Door County Golf Outing

Mike was raised in Green Bay down the street from his current employer. He didn’t grow up hearing much about his neighbor, Schreiber Foods, the world’s largest customer brand dairy company but it is a place that he can say he is proud to be. Its 100% employee-owned and helping neighbors in need is one of their core beliefs though they don’t always seek out recognition for their support. “People do the right thing because it’s in everyone’s best interest,” says Mike.

Mike is currently training for a half marathon and looking forward to the challenge of the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon. For those who may scoff at the idea of running, Mike says it’s really not that hard. “Its doing it incrementally that’s important. You start out with a mile or two miles and before you know it you’re running 11 or 12. You can run hard or at a moderate pace.”

Mike recommends the same approach to volunteering. “The best way to learn is to give it a try and apply yourself,” says Mike. “Sometimes it’s just getting your foot in the door.”

Any amount of time is noble. “Some months you can give a lot of time other months you can’t. With every organization I’ve worked with they are very understanding that people will give what they can and when they can’t there’s no shame in it.”

Mike says he finds it important to consider the efficiency of an organization and how much money is spent on overhead and administrative costs. “The Red Cross is lean and makes sure as much of the dollars that come in make it out to the community as possible. “

Mike is proud of the efforts of the Red Cross but he also enjoys his support. “If it’s not fun, you have to question why you are doing it. Its easy to get energized about something that benefits the community.”