“I enjoy telling others about the services the Red Cross provides,” answered Brian Shawn when asked what he enjoys most about his position as the American Red Cross Regional Communications Officer for Northwest Minnesota as well as North and South Dakota.
Shawn explains that the American Red Cross is the nation’s premier emergency response organization, and distinguishes itself by aiding victims of devastating natural disasters. The Dakotas Region has five office locations and numerous sites where they offer classes and have area disaster staff resources. Included in his role, he develops and writes media releases, newsletters, and stories for their website. Shawn is also responsible for taking photos and videos as well as maintaining the social media sites. He enjoys sharing the achievements and the services that the Red Cross provides. “Capturing the work that the organization does in time of disaster is indescribable. I am very fortunate to work with such caring and dedicated individuals. Writing about the volunteers who help others is truly remarkable.”
Even though Shawn was born in Los Angeles and spent part of his childhood in New Jersey, as his dad worked in the airline industry that resulted in numerous relocations, he grew up in Bloomington, MN. He fondly remembers the many opportunities his father’s career presented for travel, which included Hawaii, Florida, and Alaska among many other states. Shawn’s love for sports began as a ball boy while traveling with his dad, who officiated high school and college football and basketball games for over 40 years. Many hours were spent together watching sports on TV when not attending the games.
Shawn learned at an early age the responsibilities of commitment and working hard. At the age of 15, he worked at the Chaska Bakery during the summers, starting the workday at 3:00 am frying donuts, making bread and buns, and delivering the freshly baked goods to their customers. He credits those early experiences with instilling in him the discipline of work and life that has served him well.
Shawn attended the University of North Dakota majoring in communication and broadcast journalism. He interned for three years at “Studio One,” which was an award-winning student produced television program. As a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, North Dakota Professional Communicators, and the Northwest Broadcast News Association, he was recognized for several stories and segments that he produced. Shawn shared that a highlight was being honored with the Eric Sevareid Award for “First-Place in Sports Reporting for his story on the Christian brothers who won a gold medal as members of the 1960 U.S. Olympic Team. The brothers later operated a hockey stick factory in Warroad, MN.
Shawn’s other work experiences include the regional manager for Sigma Phi Epsilon National fraternity, which meant living out of his car for a year travelling throughout the Midwest visiting different chapters and assisting with operations. Shawn also worked as a weekend sports anchor and reporter at KXMB-TV in Bismarck before moving to Fargo to work at KVLY-TV and KXJB-TV as an anchor/reporter, which included producing the Bison Football Show. For the past three years as a side job, he has served as the NBC North Dakota Sports play-by-play announcer for the NDSU football and basketball programs. Shawn was also the Communications and Community Relations Specialist at the Minnesota School of Business/Globe University just prior to his current Red Cross position.
“I have been blessed. How many people get a chance to cover a national football championship one week, work on a major disaster the next week, and then to courtside to call a conference championship basketball game.” Shawn is a true communications expert with a diversity of experiences and commitment to communicating with his community.
Brian Shawn | Regional Communications Officer
The American Red Cross ‘Dakotas Region’
Serving Western Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota
Office (701) 364-1800 x2019
Mobile (701) 426-8073
Chuck Chadwick
lets.talkbusiness@yahoo.com
701-238-1038