The American Red Cross Michigan Region in Detroit has appointed Raul Galvan as director of Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) and International Services, a resource that helps military members, veterans, and their families cope with the challenges of service. The position is part of the region’s leadership team.
In this role, Galvan oversees Red Cross services in Michigan to ensure the needs of military and veteran families are being met.
Galvan brings a military perspective to the leadership position as he currently serves as a civil affairs officer for the U.S. Army Reserve in the 308th Civil Affairs Brigade, headquartered in Homewood, Ill. Prior to that position, he served as civil affairs officer for the Kalamazoo-based 415th Civil Affairs Battalion from March 2010 to May 2021.
“Raul is a wonderful addition to our leadership team,” says Mary Lynn Foster, regional chief executive officer for the Red Cross. “His military background will prove invaluable as we move to strengthen our commitment to military and veteran families and enhance relationships with our partners in the military, government and business community throughout the Michigan region.”
Each year, the Red Cross assists more than 240,000 military and veteran families by using a network of volunteers across the country and around the world.
Resources include the Hero Care Network, which allows military families to stay in touch with their loved ones; free resiliency workshops; care and comfort provided by medical and non-medical Red Cross volunteers at veteran hospitals and military treatment facilities; and the “Get to Know Us Before You Need Us” program, which enables enlistees and their families to learn about Red Cross services before, during and after deployment.
Galvan joined the Red Cross in 2015 as a disaster program manager for its Southwest Chapter in Kalamazoo. In that role he helped direct 11 disaster response operations before he was elevated to regional preparedness and planning manager in 2019.
Galvan was part of the leadership team that managed the Red Cross response to flooding disasters in Detroit in 2021 and Midland in 2020.
Galvan earned his bachelor’s degree at Western Michigan University. During his military service he has been awarded the bronze star, meritorious service medal, army achievement medal with two Oak Clusters, and combat action badge. Galvan is also a certified CPR, first aid and automated external defibrillator instructor.
