Red Cross CEO quitting

WASHINGTON – The American Red Cross, which has faced criticism in recent weeks for its handling of the Hurricane Katrina disaster, said Tuesday that its chief executive, Marsha Evans, will resign at the end of the month.

Evans was hired in 2002 after the stormy departure of its former CEO, Bernadine Healy, who was forced out in 2001, shortly after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Jack McGuire, executive vice president of the Red Cross’ biomedical services, has been named interim president and chief executive, the charity said today.

“The organization will maintain its current strategy, direction and programs and will continue to ensure the continuity and stability of ongoing Red Cross operations,” the Red Cross said in a statement on its Web site.

While the Red Cross characterized Evans’ departure as voluntary, sources in the organization say she departed after the 50-member board of directors grew unhappy with her attempts to reform the giant charity.

But Chuck Connor, senior vice president for marketing and communication, said a “more precise” description of the problems is that the “board had concerns about her coordination and communication with the board.” He declined to be more specific, but defended her performance. “This place is in a lot better shape than it was 2 1/2 years ago.”

In a letter to Red Cross employees released today by the organization, Evans said she had been thinking of leaving after her three-year anniversary with the charity but stayed on to oversee its Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Now, she said, “I look forward to spending more time with my family.”

The 124-year-old organization, headquartered in Washington, has 800 chapters around the country. It is responsible for one-half of the nation’s blood supply, collecting and selling blood to the nation’s medical facilities.

The Red Cross also is designated by the federal government as the front-line responder in national emergencies for providing “mass care” – shelter, food and first aid – for disaster victims.

But members of Congress, civil rights groups and Katrina evacuees have criticized its performance in the aftermath of the storm that severely damaged the Gulf Coast last summer.

They complained of long lines and lengthy phone delays when evacuees tried to get financial assistance from the organization. They also said the charity was insensitive in its treatment of the mostly minority evacuees.

In interviews and in meetings with congressional representatives and other groups, Evans defended the organization’s performance, while acknowledging its shortcomings. She said the organization was overrun by the scope of the disaster, which covered an area the size of Great Britain.

She also vowed to increase the diversity of its volunteer network and to improve its relations with minorities.

Red Cross officials, who asked not to be identified, said Evans’ departure was not related to the charity’s handling of its hurricane relief efforts.

The Red Cross, which has raised more than $1.8 billion for its Katrina relief, says it needs just over $2 billion to pay its expenses.