Bill Goldsworthy, retired Friday as executive director of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Red Cross, a post he has held since May of 2015.

Michele Baehr, executive director for the Red Cross Pocono Mountains Chapter since 2014, is taking over a new combined Northeast PA Red Cross chapter territory which includes nine counties: Bradford, Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Sullivan, Wayne and Wyoming counties.

Goldsworthy has led the organization in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Susquehanna and Wyoming counties through several large-scale disasters both locally and nationally.

From blizzards and ice jams to tornadoes and devastating flash flooding, our local area has been no stranger to disaster and Goldsworthy led a team of dedicated volunteers and staff to respond to it all around the clock.

The local chapter has also sent many volunteers to help across the country when hurricanes and wildfires have ravaged other states. Goldsworthy has often driven them to the airport well before sunrise to see them off on their trips, as well as being instrumental in raising money to support the disaster responses. “You’re helping people all the time and that’s the best part,” says Goldsworthy.

The most common disaster the Red Cross responds to is the home fire, and the Red Cross of Northeast PA responds to about 120 home fires every year, leaving hundreds of families with nowhere to go. That’s where the Red Cross steps in to provide emergency assistance for things like temporary lodging, food, clothing, emotional support and more.