Red Cross' Gulf Coast CEO Resigns Amid Post-Harvey Scrutiny

HOUSTON, TX — David Brady, the CEO of Red Cross' Gulf Coast region, abruptly resigned Saturday after continued differences between himself and the national organization following recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Though the Red Cross sent out a national statement, Brady took to social media to shed a little more light on his departure.

"I found myself in disagreement too often with decisions that were being made as it related to Hurricane Harvey recovery," he wrote. "It is not fair to the organization to have a leader in this role that is filled with that much doubt. And it was not fair to me or my family to work where I am not happy and do not feel valued."

Having taken over the position just six months ago, Brady didn't think the organization was doing enough or quickly enough to help families left homeless and devastated by the powerful Category 4 storm that destroyed much of the Texas coast.

The Red Cross simply issued the following statement upon brad's resignation:

"(W)e are grateful for (Brady's) contributions to the Texas Gulf Coast region over the past several months," the American Red Cross said in an emailed statement. "The essential work of supporting those families affected by Hurricane Harvey will continue just as before, as will our focus on supporting long-term recovery efforts as the emergency phase of our work in Texas ends."

There were also two other voluntary departures and one involuntary departure within the Gulf Coast's senior leadership team in the past month, including the communications officer.

According to Red Cross spokeswoman Ekland Durousseau, veteran Red Cross executive Marty McKellips has been named interim executive to direct the Gulf Coast Region. McKellips currently leads the Central and South Texas Region.

The American Red Cross has distributed over $190 million in financial assistance and served more than 4.5 million meals in Texas and Louisiana after Harvey, according to its website.

Top image: Evacuees fill up cots at the George Brown Convention Center that has been turned into a shelter run by the American Red Cross to house victims of the high water from Hurricane Harvey on August 28, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Erich Schlegel/Getty Images)