Courtesy / Red Cross
Steve Thomas
August 19, 2022
Red Cross names new leaders for 2 Maine chapters
Courtesy / Red Cross
The American Red Cross has named new executive directors at two of its Maine chapters.
By Staff
New executive directors have been named for two of Maine’s three chapters of the American Red Cross.
The national nonprofit’s Northern New England Region appointed Steve Thomas to head the Southern Maine Chapter, headquartered in Portland. Sophie Piconi was named to the top spot for the Central and Midcoast Chapter, based in Topsham.
The Northern and Eastern Maine Chapter, which has offices in Bangor and Caribou, is led by Executive Director Caroline King.
Hurricane Sandy veteran
Thomas joined AmeriCorps Vista following his 2010 graduation from Eastern Kentucky University. That experience included working with the National Civilian Community Corps. At that time, the corps' teams assisted in disaster relief operations alongside the Red Cross, providing Thomas with his first exposure to emergency response.
He served in Red Cross shelters in Delaware during Superstorm Sandy and was assistant to the manager of New Jersey mass care for all sheltering activity in that state.
Later, he pursued a master’s degree in public affairs with a concentration in nonprofit management from Indiana University.
In 2019, he relocated to New England and began his Red Cross career, serving most recently as Maine’s senior volunteer engagement specialist.
“To me, serving as an executive director is all about opportunity,” Thomas said. “Opportunity to share our mission with new partners, energize Red Cross donors and volunteers and enhance our impact by serving more Mainers.”
Building partnerships
Piconi brings 25 years of nonprofit experience to her new position with the Red Cross. She succeeds Nicole Evans, who had served in the role since 2020.
Piconi has served in leadership roles at Big Brothers Big Sisters, the YMCA, SFX Missions, Children of the Immaculate Heart and the San Diego Blood Bank.
Courtesy / Red Cross
Sophie Piconi
She has experience building partnerships, volunteer recruitment, creating teams, fundraising, managing operations, and program developmental and media relations.
“We believe Steve and Sophie’s combined leadership experience will bring these two chapters to new levels of success,” said Stephanie Couturier, CEO of the Red Cross Northern New England Region, which serves over 3.2 million people and covers 49,083 square miles with 1,600 volunteers.
The American Red Cross, founded in 1881 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., had revenues of $2.8 billion in 2020.
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