Memoriam: Michael Brackney, Red Cross Employee, Sep 6, 2011
Longtime Red Cross employee Michael Brackney passed away Monday morning, September 5, after a brief illness.
This is a huge loss not just for his family and friends, but for the American Red Cross and for those we serve. Michael was extremely talented professionally; he was also one of the most generous people in an organization known for its generosity.
Michael originally joined the Red Cross as a temporary hire in Disaster Accounting in 1994. He stood out immediately, catching the eye of his supervisor for his intelligence, his work ethic and for his personal commitment to the mission of the organization. Understanding the need to balance his knowledge of back office systems with client needs, Michael subsequently deployed to countless operations - including hurricanes Floyd, Frances, Katrina, Ike, Gustav, several large floods and 9/11. Through these deployments he always brought his steady performance, his ability to innovate, his unforgettable sense of humor and his common sense approach to problem-solving. Clients from Guam to New York have been touched by his work - as has every single one of his colleagues across the Red Cross.
Michael was one of the architects of the modernization of how the Red Cross provided emergency assistance, helping to move the Red Cross from a paper-based system to an automated system that could scale to meet unprecedented volumes. He excelled under pressure, and many of his innovations were created in the midst of huge organizational challenges. He led the 9/11 individual assistance program, developed a new client assistance system during the storms of 2004 and 2005 and developed a sophisticated hotel program to find housing for clients. During Katrina, Michael created a new system that could provide assistance at a scale nearly twenty times larger than the previous design - and he did it in three days.
Michael led by example in everything he did, and he mentored countless new employees into the organization. He recently joined a new team in Disaster Services, and he quickly assumed a familiar role as he helped a number of new hires navigate the hallways at national headquarters.
In addition to his numerous professional accomplishments, Michael was a loving husband to fellow Red Cross employee Katherine Galifianakis, proud father to his sons Jake and Billy, doting grandfather to his grandson Dexter and a great friend to all who knew him. Whether he was working as the consummate professional, playing Santa to the delight of co-workers' children at holiday parties, or doting on his family, Michael was one of a kind.
Services for Michael will be held at St. Katherine's Greek Orthodox Church, 3149 Glen Carlyn Road, Falls Church, VA 22041 on Wednesday, September 7, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations may be made in Michael's name to your local Red Cross chapter.
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MICHAEL BRACKNEY GONE HOME
Long time Old Dominion District scouter Michael Brackney passed away on Sept. 5th 2011. Michael served at unit and district level over for many years. He could always be counted upon to come up with the most creative and fun camporee programs in the history of our District. He brought fun programs and humor to both scouters and scouts alike. He knew how to get the best out of scouts and help them grow Into good citizen leaders of this Nation. In his youth Michael was a Cub Scout, a Boy Scout, and Explorer. He used his skill learned as a Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader and Post President. As a parent, he treasured the traditional values of Scouting. Michael was a director or on staff for dozens of Cub and Boy Scout Leader training courses and District and Council program events. He also served for a number of years as Den Leader, Cubmaster, and Assistant Scoutmaster. He volunteered as Cub Roundtable Commissioner, Day Camp Director, Youth Protection Chair, and in many other positions. He served on the staff of Akelea Calls, several Wood Badge Courses, and the National Order of the Arrow Conference. He attended the Philmont Training Center and twice participated on teams developing training programs for the National Council. He served as the Old Dominion District Order of the Arrow Chapter Adviser, Boy Scout Roundtable Commissioner, and Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 980 for many years. He received awards for Cubmaster, Cub Scouter, Adult and Youth Religious Awards, District Award of Merit, Scouter Training, District Key Six, District Square Knot, Silver Beaver, Vigil Honor and earned a University of Scouting Bachelor of Commissioner's Science.
As a manager with the American Red Cross National Headquarters, in 2002 he received the Tiffany Award, the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a professional in that organization. He worked in the youth religious education program of his church for 12 years. His sons, Billy and Jake, both Eagle Scouts, are the fourth generation of their family that was extensively active in Scouting and the Order of the Arrow at Chapter and Lodge levels.
We express our sincere sympathy to Michael's family and we are grateful for all the years of contributions of his time and effort he gave to Scouting.
From "The Old Rag", Old Dominion District National Capital Area Council, Boy Scouts of America - 11 Sep 2011
-------------------------------------------
Michael Brackney's Legacy
Family, friends, the American Red Cross, and the field of disaster relief lost an amazing man this past weekend. As one of his colleagues said of him, "he was one of the most generous people in an organization known for its generosity." From VisionLink's perspective, Michael was unusually able to transfer and communicate operational vision to guide our technical work in support of the Red Cross and disaster relief overall. Whether creating large scale solutions during Hurricane Katrina, or day-to-day ideas that paved the way to more efficient and effective work, Michael's presence was constant, steady, tenacious and strong.
I will remember him best as the behind the scenes architect of solutions that have and will help millions of people. We should all be so lucky to leave such a great legacy. Cheers to his life. Michael was a loving husband to Katherine Galifianakis, proud father to his sons Jake and Billy, doting grandfather to his grandson Dexter, and a great friend to all of us. Michael passed away at Georgetown University Hospital this past Monday morning. Services are being held Wednesday morning, Sept 7th.
Dr. W. Douglas Zimmerman
President & CEO
VisionLink, Inc.
Longtime Red Cross employee Michael Brackney passed away Monday morning, September 5, after a brief illness.
This is a huge loss not just for his family and friends, but for the American Red Cross and for those we serve. Michael was extremely talented professionally; he was also one of the most generous people in an organization known for its generosity.
Michael originally joined the Red Cross as a temporary hire in Disaster Accounting in 1994. He stood out immediately, catching the eye of his supervisor for his intelligence, his work ethic and for his personal commitment to the mission of the organization. Understanding the need to balance his knowledge of back office systems with client needs, Michael subsequently deployed to countless operations - including hurricanes Floyd, Frances, Katrina, Ike, Gustav, several large floods and 9/11. Through these deployments he always brought his steady performance, his ability to innovate, his unforgettable sense of humor and his common sense approach to problem-solving. Clients from Guam to New York have been touched by his work - as has every single one of his colleagues across the Red Cross.
Michael was one of the architects of the modernization of how the Red Cross provided emergency assistance, helping to move the Red Cross from a paper-based system to an automated system that could scale to meet unprecedented volumes. He excelled under pressure, and many of his innovations were created in the midst of huge organizational challenges. He led the 9/11 individual assistance program, developed a new client assistance system during the storms of 2004 and 2005 and developed a sophisticated hotel program to find housing for clients. During Katrina, Michael created a new system that could provide assistance at a scale nearly twenty times larger than the previous design - and he did it in three days.
Michael led by example in everything he did, and he mentored countless new employees into the organization. He recently joined a new team in Disaster Services, and he quickly assumed a familiar role as he helped a number of new hires navigate the hallways at national headquarters.
In addition to his numerous professional accomplishments, Michael was a loving husband to fellow Red Cross employee Katherine Galifianakis, proud father to his sons Jake and Billy, doting grandfather to his grandson Dexter and a great friend to all who knew him. Whether he was working as the consummate professional, playing Santa to the delight of co-workers' children at holiday parties, or doting on his family, Michael was one of a kind.
Services for Michael will be held at St. Katherine's Greek Orthodox Church, 3149 Glen Carlyn Road, Falls Church, VA 22041 on Wednesday, September 7, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations may be made in Michael's name to your local Red Cross chapter.
-------------------------------------------
MICHAEL BRACKNEY GONE HOME
Long time Old Dominion District scouter Michael Brackney passed away on Sept. 5th 2011. Michael served at unit and district level over for many years. He could always be counted upon to come up with the most creative and fun camporee programs in the history of our District. He brought fun programs and humor to both scouters and scouts alike. He knew how to get the best out of scouts and help them grow Into good citizen leaders of this Nation. In his youth Michael was a Cub Scout, a Boy Scout, and Explorer. He used his skill learned as a Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader and Post President. As a parent, he treasured the traditional values of Scouting. Michael was a director or on staff for dozens of Cub and Boy Scout Leader training courses and District and Council program events. He also served for a number of years as Den Leader, Cubmaster, and Assistant Scoutmaster. He volunteered as Cub Roundtable Commissioner, Day Camp Director, Youth Protection Chair, and in many other positions. He served on the staff of Akelea Calls, several Wood Badge Courses, and the National Order of the Arrow Conference. He attended the Philmont Training Center and twice participated on teams developing training programs for the National Council. He served as the Old Dominion District Order of the Arrow Chapter Adviser, Boy Scout Roundtable Commissioner, and Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 980 for many years. He received awards for Cubmaster, Cub Scouter, Adult and Youth Religious Awards, District Award of Merit, Scouter Training, District Key Six, District Square Knot, Silver Beaver, Vigil Honor and earned a University of Scouting Bachelor of Commissioner's Science.
As a manager with the American Red Cross National Headquarters, in 2002 he received the Tiffany Award, the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a professional in that organization. He worked in the youth religious education program of his church for 12 years. His sons, Billy and Jake, both Eagle Scouts, are the fourth generation of their family that was extensively active in Scouting and the Order of the Arrow at Chapter and Lodge levels.
We express our sincere sympathy to Michael's family and we are grateful for all the years of contributions of his time and effort he gave to Scouting.
From "The Old Rag", Old Dominion District National Capital Area Council, Boy Scouts of America - 11 Sep 2011
-------------------------------------------
Michael Brackney's Legacy
Family, friends, the American Red Cross, and the field of disaster relief lost an amazing man this past weekend. As one of his colleagues said of him, "he was one of the most generous people in an organization known for its generosity." From VisionLink's perspective, Michael was unusually able to transfer and communicate operational vision to guide our technical work in support of the Red Cross and disaster relief overall. Whether creating large scale solutions during Hurricane Katrina, or day-to-day ideas that paved the way to more efficient and effective work, Michael's presence was constant, steady, tenacious and strong.
I will remember him best as the behind the scenes architect of solutions that have and will help millions of people. We should all be so lucky to leave such a great legacy. Cheers to his life. Michael was a loving husband to Katherine Galifianakis, proud father to his sons Jake and Billy, doting grandfather to his grandson Dexter, and a great friend to all of us. Michael passed away at Georgetown University Hospital this past Monday morning. Services are being held Wednesday morning, Sept 7th.
Dr. W. Douglas Zimmerman
President & CEO
VisionLink, Inc.
Memoriam: Michael Brackney, Red Cross Employee, Sep 6, 2011
Longtime Red Cross employee Michael Brackney passed away Monday morning, September 5, after a brief illness.
This is a huge loss not just for his family and friends, but for the American Red Cross and for those we serve. Michael was extremely talented professionally; he was also one of the most generous people in an organization known for its generosity.
Michael originally joined the Red Cross as a temporary hire in Disaster Accounting in 1994. He stood out immediately, catching the eye of his supervisor for his intelligence, his work ethic and for his personal commitment to the mission of the organization. Understanding the need to balance his knowledge of back office systems with client needs, Michael subsequently deployed to countless operations - including hurricanes Floyd, Frances, Katrina, Ike, Gustav, several large floods and 9/11. Through these deployments he always brought his steady performance, his ability to innovate, his unforgettable sense of humor and his common sense approach to problem-solving. Clients from Guam to New York have been touched by his work - as has every single one of his colleagues across the Red Cross.
Michael was one of the architects of the modernization of how the Red Cross provided emergency assistance, helping to move the Red Cross from a paper-based system to an automated system that could scale to meet unprecedented volumes. He excelled under pressure, and many of his innovations were created in the midst of huge organizational challenges. He led the 9/11 individual assistance program, developed a new client assistance system during the storms of 2004 and 2005 and developed a sophisticated hotel program to find housing for clients. During Katrina, Michael created a new system that could provide assistance at a scale nearly twenty times larger than the previous design - and he did it in three days.
Michael led by example in everything he did, and he mentored countless new employees into the organization. He recently joined a new team in Disaster Services, and he quickly assumed a familiar role as he helped a number of new hires navigate the hallways at national headquarters.
In addition to his numerous professional accomplishments, Michael was a loving husband to fellow Red Cross employee Katherine Galifianakis, proud father to his sons Jake and Billy, doting grandfather to his grandson Dexter and a great friend to all who knew him. Whether he was working as the consummate professional, playing Santa to the delight of co-workers' children at holiday parties, or doting on his family, Michael was one of a kind.
Services for Michael will be held at St. Katherine's Greek Orthodox Church, 3149 Glen Carlyn Road, Falls Church, VA 22041 on Wednesday, September 7, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations may be made in Michael's name to your local Red Cross chapter.
-------------------------------------------
MICHAEL BRACKNEY GONE HOME
Long time Old Dominion District scouter Michael Brackney passed away on Sept. 5th 2011. Michael served at unit and district level over for many years. He could always be counted upon to come up with the most creative and fun camporee programs in the history of our District. He brought fun programs and humor to both scouters and scouts alike. He knew how to get the best out of scouts and help them grow Into good citizen leaders of this Nation. In his youth Michael was a Cub Scout, a Boy Scout, and Explorer. He used his skill learned as a Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader and Post President. As a parent, he treasured the traditional values of Scouting. Michael was a director or on staff for dozens of Cub and Boy Scout Leader training courses and District and Council program events. He also served for a number of years as Den Leader, Cubmaster, and Assistant Scoutmaster. He volunteered as Cub Roundtable Commissioner, Day Camp Director, Youth Protection Chair, and in many other positions. He served on the staff of Akelea Calls, several Wood Badge Courses, and the National Order of the Arrow Conference. He attended the Philmont Training Center and twice participated on teams developing training programs for the National Council. He served as the Old Dominion District Order of the Arrow Chapter Adviser, Boy Scout Roundtable Commissioner, and Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 980 for many years. He received awards for Cubmaster, Cub Scouter, Adult and Youth Religious Awards, District Award of Merit, Scouter Training, District Key Six, District Square Knot, Silver Beaver, Vigil Honor and earned a University of Scouting Bachelor of Commissioner's Science.
As a manager with the American Red Cross National Headquarters, in 2002 he received the Tiffany Award, the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a professional in that organization. He worked in the youth religious education program of his church for 12 years. His sons, Billy and Jake, both Eagle Scouts, are the fourth generation of their family that was extensively active in Scouting and the Order of the Arrow at Chapter and Lodge levels.
We express our sincere sympathy to Michael's family and we are grateful for all the years of contributions of his time and effort he gave to Scouting.
From "The Old Rag", Old Dominion District National Capital Area Council, Boy Scouts of America - 11 Sep 2011
-------------------------------------------
Michael Brackney's Legacy
Family, friends, the American Red Cross, and the field of disaster relief lost an amazing man this past weekend. As one of his colleagues said of him, "he was one of the most generous people in an organization known for its generosity." From VisionLink's perspective, Michael was unusually able to transfer and communicate operational vision to guide our technical work in support of the Red Cross and disaster relief overall. Whether creating large scale solutions during Hurricane Katrina, or day-to-day ideas that paved the way to more efficient and effective work, Michael's presence was constant, steady, tenacious and strong.
I will remember him best as the behind the scenes architect of solutions that have and will help millions of people. We should all be so lucky to leave such a great legacy. Cheers to his life. Michael was a loving husband to Katherine Galifianakis, proud father to his sons Jake and Billy, doting grandfather to his grandson Dexter, and a great friend to all of us. Michael passed away at Georgetown University Hospital this past Monday morning. Services are being held Wednesday morning, Sept 7th.
Dr. W. Douglas Zimmerman
President & CEO
VisionLink, Inc.
Longtime Red Cross employee Michael Brackney passed away Monday morning, September 5, after a brief illness.
This is a huge loss not just for his family and friends, but for the American Red Cross and for those we serve. Michael was extremely talented professionally; he was also one of the most generous people in an organization known for its generosity.
Michael originally joined the Red Cross as a temporary hire in Disaster Accounting in 1994. He stood out immediately, catching the eye of his supervisor for his intelligence, his work ethic and for his personal commitment to the mission of the organization. Understanding the need to balance his knowledge of back office systems with client needs, Michael subsequently deployed to countless operations - including hurricanes Floyd, Frances, Katrina, Ike, Gustav, several large floods and 9/11. Through these deployments he always brought his steady performance, his ability to innovate, his unforgettable sense of humor and his common sense approach to problem-solving. Clients from Guam to New York have been touched by his work - as has every single one of his colleagues across the Red Cross.
Michael was one of the architects of the modernization of how the Red Cross provided emergency assistance, helping to move the Red Cross from a paper-based system to an automated system that could scale to meet unprecedented volumes. He excelled under pressure, and many of his innovations were created in the midst of huge organizational challenges. He led the 9/11 individual assistance program, developed a new client assistance system during the storms of 2004 and 2005 and developed a sophisticated hotel program to find housing for clients. During Katrina, Michael created a new system that could provide assistance at a scale nearly twenty times larger than the previous design - and he did it in three days.
Michael led by example in everything he did, and he mentored countless new employees into the organization. He recently joined a new team in Disaster Services, and he quickly assumed a familiar role as he helped a number of new hires navigate the hallways at national headquarters.
In addition to his numerous professional accomplishments, Michael was a loving husband to fellow Red Cross employee Katherine Galifianakis, proud father to his sons Jake and Billy, doting grandfather to his grandson Dexter and a great friend to all who knew him. Whether he was working as the consummate professional, playing Santa to the delight of co-workers' children at holiday parties, or doting on his family, Michael was one of a kind.
Services for Michael will be held at St. Katherine's Greek Orthodox Church, 3149 Glen Carlyn Road, Falls Church, VA 22041 on Wednesday, September 7, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations may be made in Michael's name to your local Red Cross chapter.
-------------------------------------------
MICHAEL BRACKNEY GONE HOME
Long time Old Dominion District scouter Michael Brackney passed away on Sept. 5th 2011. Michael served at unit and district level over for many years. He could always be counted upon to come up with the most creative and fun camporee programs in the history of our District. He brought fun programs and humor to both scouters and scouts alike. He knew how to get the best out of scouts and help them grow Into good citizen leaders of this Nation. In his youth Michael was a Cub Scout, a Boy Scout, and Explorer. He used his skill learned as a Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader and Post President. As a parent, he treasured the traditional values of Scouting. Michael was a director or on staff for dozens of Cub and Boy Scout Leader training courses and District and Council program events. He also served for a number of years as Den Leader, Cubmaster, and Assistant Scoutmaster. He volunteered as Cub Roundtable Commissioner, Day Camp Director, Youth Protection Chair, and in many other positions. He served on the staff of Akelea Calls, several Wood Badge Courses, and the National Order of the Arrow Conference. He attended the Philmont Training Center and twice participated on teams developing training programs for the National Council. He served as the Old Dominion District Order of the Arrow Chapter Adviser, Boy Scout Roundtable Commissioner, and Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 980 for many years. He received awards for Cubmaster, Cub Scouter, Adult and Youth Religious Awards, District Award of Merit, Scouter Training, District Key Six, District Square Knot, Silver Beaver, Vigil Honor and earned a University of Scouting Bachelor of Commissioner's Science.
As a manager with the American Red Cross National Headquarters, in 2002 he received the Tiffany Award, the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a professional in that organization. He worked in the youth religious education program of his church for 12 years. His sons, Billy and Jake, both Eagle Scouts, are the fourth generation of their family that was extensively active in Scouting and the Order of the Arrow at Chapter and Lodge levels.
We express our sincere sympathy to Michael's family and we are grateful for all the years of contributions of his time and effort he gave to Scouting.
From "The Old Rag", Old Dominion District National Capital Area Council, Boy Scouts of America - 11 Sep 2011
-------------------------------------------
Michael Brackney's Legacy
Family, friends, the American Red Cross, and the field of disaster relief lost an amazing man this past weekend. As one of his colleagues said of him, "he was one of the most generous people in an organization known for its generosity." From VisionLink's perspective, Michael was unusually able to transfer and communicate operational vision to guide our technical work in support of the Red Cross and disaster relief overall. Whether creating large scale solutions during Hurricane Katrina, or day-to-day ideas that paved the way to more efficient and effective work, Michael's presence was constant, steady, tenacious and strong.
I will remember him best as the behind the scenes architect of solutions that have and will help millions of people. We should all be so lucky to leave such a great legacy. Cheers to his life. Michael was a loving husband to Katherine Galifianakis, proud father to his sons Jake and Billy, doting grandfather to his grandson Dexter, and a great friend to all of us. Michael passed away at Georgetown University Hospital this past Monday morning. Services are being held Wednesday morning, Sept 7th.
Dr. W. Douglas Zimmerman
President & CEO
VisionLink, Inc.
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