Executive Director American Red Cross of Northwest Florida

Serving Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Calhoun, and Washington Counties

Jerry Kindle has been the Executive Director for the local chapter since 2009 when he retired from the Navy, after serving 31 years.  His last tour was as the Command Master Chief of Naval Air Station, Pensacola.

Born in Gainesville, FL, and enlisted on active duty on September 6, 1978.

His sea duty included tours onboard USS KITTIWAKE (ASR 13), USS PIEDMONT (AD 17), USS SIMON LAKE (AS-33), USS YELLOWSTONE (AD 41), USS EISENHOWER (CVN 69), USS GRASP (ARS 51), USS TRENTON (LPD 14), and USS MESA VERDE (LPD 19).

His shore tours include the Navy Brig at Naval Air Station, Jacksonville; Mobile Inshore and Undersea Warfare Unit 207, Jacksonville; Naval Computers and Telecommunications Area Master Station, Norfolk; Fleet Technical Support Center, Norfolk; and NAS Pensacola.

He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education specializing in curriculum development from Southern Illinois University, a Masters of Business Administration specializing in Human Resource Management from Columbia Southern University, and Masters of Science Degree in Organizational Leadership from Columbia Southern University.

Jerry has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal in addition to other campaign and unit awards.

While serving as the Command Master Chief of the Pre-commissioning crew of the USS MESA VERDE, the ship received all of the Navy’s flagship awards for Outstanding Community service: Project good neighbor, environmental stewardship, health, safety, fitness, campaign drug-free, and the Navy’s Golden Anchor Award for retention.

The proud father of six children all grown and grandfather of eleven.