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DATE: November 13, 2006
FORMER LUDINGTON POLICE CHIEF TO TAKE OVER THE HELM OF
WEST SHORE CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS
LUDINGTON -- Former Ludington Police Chief Walter S. "Wally" Taranko, who has
served as the manager of the Mason County Emergency Services the past four
years, will take over as Executive Director of the West Shore Chapter of the
American Red Cross, effective Nov. 13.
The 63-year-old veteran law officer and longtime community activist replace
Vicki Chapman, who left the local Red Cross chapter three months ago after
accepting a similar position on the East Coast.
The West Shore Chapter of the American Red Cross serves Mason, Manistee and Lake
counties.
"I'm very excited about being offered this new challenge," Taranko said. "The
Red Cross is a very helping organization and that's something that's important
to me -- helping others. I enjoy being involved with organizations that have the
reputation for helping others."
Ron Lamb, a member of the West Shore Chapter of the American Red Cross board of
directors, and head of its Human Resource committee, said he is pleased with
the selection of Taranko.
"On one hand, we had over two dozen good applications to go through," Lamb said.
"We narrowed our list down to five candidates, and we would have been
well-served with any of them -- they were all very good candidates.
"But on the other hand, Wally really stood out. After all the interviews were
done, he became our unanimous selection. We're quite confident he'll lead our
organization for years to come. We believe he will help us with our critical
fund-raising efforts, with our communication and public relations, and much
more."
Taranko joined the Ludington Police Department in 1968 and rose to the rank of
chief, before retiring in 2001.
In 2002, he was selected to head up the Mason County Emergency Services
department.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1961-64, and with the U.S. Coast Guard from
1972-86.
He attended West Shore Community College in 1973, earning an Associate of
Applied Arts and Sciences degree in Police and Public Administration.
His community involvement over the years includes:
Chairman of the Community Fundraising Committee, successful in raising $20,000
to re-light Oriole Field
President of the Ludington Band Parents, successful in raising $35,000 to send
band members to Disney World
Volunteer, Gus Maker Basketball Tournament
Volunteer, Ludington Car Ferry Festival
Volunteer, Ludington Relay for LIfe
Volunteer, Ludington MDA Telethon
His professional accomplishments include:
Recipient 1996 Alumni Achievement Award
Past President Fraternal Order of Police
Local Emergency Planning Committee Chairman
Past Treasurer Mason/Oceana 911 Board
Secretary, SSCENT (Sheriff, State, Chief's Narcotics Team)
Member, Community Corrections Board
Member, Michigan Emergency Manager Association
Member, Michigan Association Chiefs of Police
Member, Law Enforcement Advisory Committee
He and his wife, Sally, have two grown children, John Taranko of Hart and
Barbara Shaw of Muskegon.
His hobbies include boating, watching sports, and playing cards, "...especially
a friendly game of poker," he said.
"I enjoy being active, being out in the community," Taranko said. "I also enjoy
getting involved with organizations that really reach out to others, and I can't
think of any organization that does that more than the Red Cross.
"We've all seen the Red Cross respond to national disasters, such as the
hurricanes in the south, but I have watched countless times when they responded
to our own 'local disasters' right here in this area -- fires, accidents and
more. The Red Cross is there, for everyone, everywhere.
"I believe with the many contacts I made in my police work over the years, that
that will pay dividends for this new job," Taranko said. "The one thing that is
critical for any organization to be successful is simple communication."
The West Shore Chapter of the American Red Cross is a United Way Member Agency.
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