By Lookout Staff

January 3, 2012 -- John Pacheco -- who helped turn Santa Monica's troubled Red Cross chapter into one of the strongest and most successful in the system -- retired Monday after eight years as CEO.

Pacheco, who will become President and CEO of a new company called Innovative Disaster Solutions, will be replaced on an interim basis by Carol Evans, who was the CEO of the Santa Cruz Red Cross chapter and held numerous state and national positions before her retirement in 2008.

"It has truly been an incredibly rewarding experience here with the 'Cross,' made possible by the marvelous people I have had the opportunity to serve with over these years," Pacheco said.

During his 35 years with the Red Cross in the Los Angeles area, Pacheco worked on more than 25 national disaster assignments along with extensive work in disaster preparedness and recovery programs, agency officials said.

"He also created a highly respected Nurses Assistant training program that's the best of its kind in the nation," officials said in a statement.

Pacheco came to Santa Monica from Los Angeles to "fix a chapter troubled by frequent management changes, financial challenges and a directionless staff," officials said.

"Under Pacheco's leadership, the chapter's management structure was stabilized, an active and dedicated new Board of Directors was recruited and the chapter's services to the community expanded along with a growing and dedicated army of community volunteers -- many now qualified to render assistance at disaster call-outs across the country."

On the local front, Pacheco leaves behind a team of dozens of volunteers trained for the chapter's Disaster Action Team (DAT), which provides services such as housing, clothing and personal support to Santa Monicans who become victims of house and apartment fires, hazardous materials evacuations and other local calamities.

Under Pacheco's leadership, the chapter also is a key blood donor center and major provider of Cardio-Pulmonary-Resuscitation (CPR), first aid and water safety training, locally, officials said.

As head of Innovative Disaster Solutions, Pacheco will be based on the Westside, where he will provide disaster preparedness planning and consulting for small and mid-size companies.