By By Adrienne McKenzie
Keith Dingman, the new director of the West Escambia County Service Delivery Unit, which is charter under Mobile's Gulf Coast Chapter of the Red Cross, is settling into his new role.
Prior to becoming the director of West Escambia County SDU in August, Dingman lived in the Tampa Bay, Fla., area for approximately 20 years. He has more than 20 years experience in various fields of chemical and environmental remediation and construction.
Dingman earned his Bachelor of Science degree in industrial management and accounting from Union College, in Barbourville, Ky.
Dingman's new responsibilities at the West Escambia County Service Delivery Unit include many different tasks, but he considers himself the "administrative oversight of the local organization."
Dingman's emergency, management and environmental background are what enticed him to apply for this position.
"My background is pretty extensive in emergency management services," Dingman said.
Since Dingman started at this organization, he feels as if there have been significant improvements, such as relocating the Red Cross location from the Atmore Advance warehouse into a building that makes client's feel more comfortable.
"I think we are moving in a positive direction," he said. "Local networking has taken place – we are revitalizing the local organization. We have relocated, gotten long-term storage for supplies and have had new office space donated to us."
Dingman believes that with the new Rivercane project taking place in the community, Atmore will experience a tremendous expansion and that the Red Cross needs to be more established.
"With the Rivercane project, Atmore will experience a growth," he said. "It is important that we have the infrastructure in place before this growth."
For information about the Red Cross please call 368-3643.