James Hatcher has been named the regional CEO for the Virginia Region of the American Red Cross.
Hatcher is a native of Richmond and has an undergraduate degree in marketing and management from the Mcintire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia and an MBA from the College of William and Mary. His career encompasses strategic senior leadership as the past president of Pleasants Hardware, a position he held for 16 years.
While leading Pleasants, Hatcher helped the business grow from a two-location store to an organization with over 150 employees, four different business units and nine separate locations. In addition to these responsibilities, Hatcher has served as board chair for the Retail Merchants Association and is currently the treasurer for the Prevent Child Abuse VA organization and board chair of the 100 Club.
Hatcher noted that this position personally “checked off” all of the boxes that were important to him as he transitioned from his leadership role at Pleasants Hardware.
“I was looking for an opportunity that allowed me to contribute back to the community in a meaningful way,” Hatcher stated. He added, “I also wanted to work for an organization that had a strong brand, was well respected, had people I connected with and who worked to make Virginia a better place to live. I don’t think I could have created a job that fits those requirements any better than this position. ”
In his position as regional CEO, Hatcher will lead the staff and volunteers who provide services to the 5.8 million residents of the 118 cities and counties that compose the American Red Cross Virginia Region. He will direct all key Red Cross services that ensure a safer community, such as providing life-saving CPR, ensuring adequate blood donations for local hospitals and supporting preparedness events.