The American Red Cross Central and South Texas Region appointed Javier Valdez as its new Chief Executive Officer, ushering in a new era of leadership and community impact. A lifelong Texan, Valdez brings more than 25 years of executive experience spanning the technology, public service, and nonprofit sectors. His deep expertise in strategic operations, community engagement, and crosssector collaboration positions him to lead the region into its next chapter of service.
As CEO, Valdez will oversee a dedicated team of staff and volunteers serving more than 9.4 million people across 83 counties. Regional services include disaster relief and preparedness, lifesaving CPR and first aid training, international family tracing, and support for military members, veterans, and their families. Headquartered in Austin, the region also includes offices in Bryan, Del Rio, El Paso, Kerrville, Laredo, Midland, San Antonio, and Waco. Volunteers are active in every county, ready to deliver comfort and hope in times of crisis.
“I’m honored to join the American Red Cross and lead such a passionate and committed team,” said Valdez. “The mission of the Red Cross resonates deeply with me, and I look forward to working alongside our partners to serve and support communities throughout Central and South Texas.”
Valdez began his career in the technology industry, holding leadership roles at global corporations including Motorola, Cisco Systems, and Oracle. Over two decades, he led enterprise operations, digital transformation initiatives, and customer success strategies, managing international teams and collaborating with Fortune 500 clients.
Motivated by a passion for service, Valdez transitioned to the nonprofit sector, where he most recently served as Executive Director of HealthStart Foundation, which promotes early childhood health & science education, and NAMI Central Texas, a mental health advocacy organization. In both roles, he strengthened organizational infrastructure, increased revenue, and expanded programs to reach underserved communities across Texas.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Valdez is a committed civic leader. He has served on numerous nonprofit boards and currently contributes to Communities In Schools of Central Texas and the Austin Community Foundation’s Hispanic Impact Fund. His leadership consistently emphasizes equity, strategic growth, and amplifying community voices.
The American Red Cross Central & South Texas Region operates through six chapters: Central Texas, Heart of Texas, Greater San Antonio, Hill Country, Permian Basin, and West Texas. Together, they work to help people prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies.
Under Valdez’s leadership, the region looks forward to deepening its impact and strengthening partnerships across Central and South Texas.
