New Regional Executive announced for Central & Southern Ohio

Tonya Craft to lead 47-county region

After a comprehensive search, Tonya Craft has been named the new Regional Executive of the American Red Cross Central & Southern Ohio Region (CSOR). This region serves 6.4 million people in 47 counties in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana and includes the cities of Columbus, Cincinnati and Dayton. Craft replaces Stephanie Byrd who served nearly eight years in this role before retiring in December. 

Craft has more than 24 years of experience with the Red Cross and most recently served as the Vice President of Service Delivery for Training Services. Training Services is a division of the Red Cross which provides lifesaving courses for CPR & AED, First Aid, Lifeguarding Water Safety, and more. In this role, Craft supported over 400,000 enrollees each year across Workplace Safety, Healthcare, and Aquatics and oversaw a staff and contractor network of more than 250 individuals.  

Prior to her work in the Training Services division, Craft held several key Red Cross leadership positions in Disaster Services, Volunteer Resources, and as a local Executive Director—helping to build strong community relationships, manage disaster operations, and lead high-performing volunteer teams.  

“Her extensive leadership experience, strategic insight, and passion for the Red Cross mission will help her support the talented CSOR team to continued success,” said Mike Thome, Divisional Vice President, American Red Cross Central Atlantic Division.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to step into this role, and I am passionate about the mission and look forward to supporting our volunteers, serving our community and advancing the important work of the Red Cross,” said Craft.

Craft is based out of Columbus and will travel throughout the region spending time in the various Red Cross offices. Craft started in her new role on Monday (3/30).