Findlay CFO leads Southern Nevada Red Cross

When the late Pete Findlay opened his first automobile dealership in Las Vegas in 1961, he encouraged employees to become involved in the community. That belief remains a big part of the company, which is now one of the largest privately owned businesses in Nevada.

In the latest confirmation of Findlay Automotive Group’s dedication to the community, chief financial officer Tyler Corder was named board president for the American Red Cross of Southern Nevada, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in June.

Corder, who has spent the past 24 years at Findlay Automotive Group, joined the Red Cross board in 2015.

“Through mutual friends, I met Scott Emerson, the executive director of the Red Cross of Southern Nevada,” Corder said. “I joined the board after meeting Scott and in 2016 was named board president.

“Locally, one of the main functions of the Red Cross is to assist people who have suffered a house fire. House fires occur on average every 20 hours in Southern Nevada. Another important role is ensuring the blood supply for local hospitals. The Red Cross supplies blood to 10 of the 13 hospitals in the area. They also have a Nellis Air Force Base office and coordinate communication with deployed servicemen overseas in cases of family emergencies back home.”

The Red Cross began operation in Southern Nevada in 1917. The organization provided food and other needs to military members who deployed for World War I.

“During the Depression, the Red Cross was instrumental in serving an influx of homeless in the area,” Corder said. “Thousands of people flooded the area looking for work on Hoover Dam. There weren’t enough jobs, and the Red Cross provided essential services to the homeless and unemployed.”

The MGM fire in 1980 was Southern Nevada’s worst disaster. Again, the Red Cross was there. The Pepcon blast in 1988 was another challenge met by the Red Cross.

More recently, the Red Cross provided needed services during the Carpenter 1 fire on Mount Charleston in 2013. Then, in February of this year, 51 people were displaced by an apartment fire in downtown Las Vegas.

“In each case, the Red Cross was there to help,” Corder said. “The Red Cross is always there, although most people don’t think about that until they really need it.”

With only 13 paid staff and more than 620 volunteers in Southern Nevada, the Red Cross is a seven-day-a-week, 24-hour-a-day job.

“The Red Cross volunteers are amazing,” Corder said. “Our volunteers cover all age groups, from teens all the way up to those in their 70s or maybe even 80s.”

Corder said the Red Cross of Southern Nevada is planning a number of events to celebrate its 100th anniversary.

“We encourage everyone to support the Red Cross in their next 100 years in Southern Nevada,” he said.