Red Cross promotes executive

SARASOTA — Megarie D. van Sickel has been named the new CEO of the Southwest Florida Chapter of the American Red Cross.

The chapter, part of the Red Cross' Florida West Coast region, covers Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, Manatee and Sarasota counties. Van Sickel had been the executive director for the Charlotte County chapter for the past 12 years. She took on more responsibilities late last year, when the Charlotte chapter merged with the Sarasota and Manatee chapters.

“Megarie brings a strong staff orientated management style and has built a strong volunteer leadership base in Charlotte and will continue the process within the newly consolidated Southwest Florida Chapter,” Red Cross Florida West Coast Region CEO Linda Carbone says in a release.