Sharon began her career with the American Red Cross in Lansing in 1986 as a medical technologist where she tested all blood for ABO, enzymes, viral markers and serologic tests. She assumed increasing responsibilities and worked her way through the ranks as a laboratory processing coordinator, senior technologist, assistant director of technical services, director of technical services and director of manufacturing. In 2004, she became the Region’s Chief Operating Officer and in 2005, the Chief Executive Officer. As CEO, Sharon is responsible for the collection, processing and distribution of blood products throughout the state of Michigan. She also oversees strategic planning, a multi-million dollar budget and operational efficiency for a 60-county Region. Sharon recently led a national project that re-designed the inventory management and distribution of blood products at all Red Cross centers throughout the United States.

Sharon holds a master’s degree in administration from Central Michigan University. She is an adjunct professor at MSU where she teaches in the master’s program for laboratory operations.

Denise Amburgey: Director of Administrative Services

Denise Amburgey began her “first term” with the American Red Cross in 1986 as the assistant controller for both the Blood Services Division and the Mid-Michigan Chapter. In 1988, she was promoted to the director of accounting for the Chapter and Region, and became the controller in 1990. In 1994, Denise was named the Region’s controller when Chapters and Blood Regions became separate entities. Denise left Michigan for other opportunities in 1995, then returned for a “second term” with the Blood Services Division in 2003 as the financial analyst. She assumed her current post in early 2005.

Denise’s previous experience includes working as accounting manager for MABC Select Sires Cooperative, lead senior accountant for Ingham County Health Department, and as controller for Core-Mark International Inc. of Las Vegas.

Denise earned an associate degree in accounting from Lansing Community College, and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Davenport University.

Michael Izdebski: Regional Quality Director

Michael Izdebski began his career with the American Red Cross in February 2006 as Regional Quality Director. His responsiblities include monitoring the region's quality systems in order to ensure the safety of the blood supply and to assure full compliance with Federal Regulations and all other governing standards. He oversees six, highly skilled and professional staff with nearly eighty years of combined American Red Cross experience.

Prior to joining the Red Cross, he worked as senior quality assurance manager for BioPort Corporation, the company that supplied anthrax vaccine for the US military and also produced botulinum, pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria and rabies vaccines. Prior to that Michael worked for Wyeth-Ayerst laboratories for thirteen years, initially as training coordinator and later as a production unit supervisor. Michael's experience also includes teaching at Lansing Community College in both the science and health careers departments.

Michael graduated from Michigan State University in 1973 with a bachelor of science degree in physiology and completed a master of science degree in biology at Michigan State in 1977.

Vasuki Johnson: Director of Operations Services

Vasuki Johnson began her career with the American Red Cross in June 1993 as a laboratory technologist. Five months later, she was promoted to DDR/donor notification supervisor. Since then, she has taken on additional challenges in management, including positions as quality systems support manager and manufacturing director, before moving into her current post.

Vasuki earned a bachelor’s of science and post baccalaureate credentials in medical technology, and is MLT board certified in microbiology. Her master’s program in medical lab science focused on clinical microbiology. She worked for a biotechnology company in Massachusetts before starting with the Red Cross.

Martha Shaver: Director of Collections

Martha Shaver joined the American Red Cross in May 2002 as the Manager of Collections, and was promoted to Director of Collections in 2003. She has been a registered nurse for 27 years and has a bachelor’s of science in health studies and a master’s of public administration from Western Michigan University.

Before coming to the Red Cross, Martha was with Sparrow Practice Management Company where she managed a primary care office. Her nursing background includes medical surgical, step down cardiac and diabetic teaching. She spent nine years in emergency medicine at Sparrow hospital, and 11 years with MSU as manager of several of the ambulatory care clinics, including urgent care, primary care, allergy immunization and the travel medicine clinic.

Jim Rummel: Director of Regional Accounts

Jim Rummel is a 10-year employee of the American Red Cross. During that time, he led the Marketing and Communications departments, and is currently Director of Regional Accounts.

Before joining the American Red Cross, Jim worked in marketing, public relations and sales at organizations in San Francisco, Chicago and New York. Later, he operated a family business, selling it to Disney/Capital Cities in 1995.

Jim is a member of the American Marketing Association, the Publishers Guild and the National Pricing Association. He also serves on the boards of the Schlemmer Foundation and the Barbara Basket Foundation. He holds degrees from the University of Michigan in linguistics, history and marketing.

Shawn Montry: Director of Donor Recruiting

Shawn Montry joined the American Red Cross as a donor recruiting supervisor in November 2004, and accepted her current post in May 2005. As the Director of Donor Recruiting, Shawn oversees the functions of donor recruitment, marketing and communications, and telerecruitment.

Before coming to the Red Cross, Shawn worked as the operations manager with a large staffing service that catered to hospitals and long-term care facilities, and as a store and area manager for a larger retailer. Wanting to pursue a career in staffing and supervision, Shawn accepted a role with the Ajilon Finance Executive Staffing Service in Grand Rapids. Michigan. After two years, she transferred to Lansing to work with the sister division of Ajilon as Branch Manager.

Shawn has a bachelor’s degree in business from Oregon State University. Her community involvement includes serving on the Executive Board of Directors for Gateway Community Services in East Lansing.

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