Kevin Bavers, Director of Advancement, Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency (NMCAA)
Kevin Bavers joined the Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency (NMCAA) as the Director of Advancement in May 2014 where he will work to advance the mission of the nonprofit 501©3 through public relations and fundraising.
As the former Executive Director, of the American Red Cross of Northwest Michigan, Kevin brings 8 years of fundraising and public relations experience to the NMCAA, and is excited to be part of an organization with a 50 year legacy on a national level and a 40 year legacy providing community action at the local level, right here in Northwest Michigan.
Kevin Bavers, a Northern Michigan native, has spent the majority of his life in the Northwest Michigan area and in 2008 transferred to the Northwest Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross in Traverse City, assuming the role of Executive Director. Formerly a small business owner, he joined the Red Cross as a volunteer in 2006 so that he could help make a difference in the lives of others. After only a short stint as a volunteer, he became intrigued with helping people during their times of need and shortly thereafter, was employed as the Director of Disaster Services for the Red Cross in Petoskey, Michigan.
Having served on two national disaster assignments, one in Texas during the floods of 2007 and the other in Michigan‘s Upper Peninsula, working on the Sleeper Lake Fire, Kevin discovered just how quickly any community or individual could experience an emergency leaving them in need of additional support. During both experiences he served in managerial roles and was able to learn the keys to orchestrating a large scale local disaster response and how helping provide critical services makes a tremendous difference in the lives of so many.
An alumnus of Lake Superior State University, Kevin graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Business Administration and minors in Public Relations and Human Services Administration.
He is a member of the Traverse City United States Coastguard City Board, the BPO Elks Lodge #323, the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals, and is a volunteer for the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT). In his free time he is an avid photographer and outdoor adventurist, enjoying: hiking, camping, fishing, golf, softball, and scuba diving.