Cherae L. Bishop to Join American Red Cross Staff

Government affairs professional will act as liaison on Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON, Monday, August 04, 2008 — Cherae L. Bishop, a government affairs professional in the Washington, D.C. area for more than 10 years, has been chosen as Senior Director of Congressional Affairs for the American Red Cross. She will act as a liaison on Capitol Hill for members of Congress and the Red Cross.

“I am excited and honored to be joining the staff of the Red Cross,” Bishop said. “It is an organization with a rich history that has helped so many people from all different walks of life over the years.”

Previously, Bishop provided legislative and strategic expertise to Volunteers of America, Inc. as the nonprofit’s Vice President of Legislative Affairs and Public Policy. There she led efforts in the formation of a Veterans Collaborative that resulted in the United States Congress providing funding for community based, faith-based and public organizations to offer transitional housing or service centers for homeless veterans.

In addition, she served as the Manager of  Constituency Relations for Altria Corporate Services, Inc., where her many accomplishments included obtaining the support of a key constituency-organizations supporting in passing tobacco buyout legislation as well as developing mechanisms that allowed stakeholder organizations to partner on key legislative issues.

As the Manager of Government Affairs of Weyerhaeuser Company, Bishop played a key role in securing federal funding for the Washington State Forest and Fish Plan, which improved aquatic systems and promotes viable forests. Bishop has also held key positions at the American Forest and Paper Association and the National Association of Manufacturers.

Bishop received her law degree from The American University, Washington College of Law and her Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; provides nearly half of the nation's blood supply; teaches lifesaving skills; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization – not a government agency – and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at www.redcrosschat.org.