The American Red Cross Northeast Pennsylvania Region has named Polly Patterson as the interim regional chapter executive, following the departure of John Hughes, who has accepted a leadership role as regional executive of the American Red Cross, Heart of Carolina Region in Greensboro, N.C.

Patterson officially took over the position Dec. 4.

She has also served as the interim regional chapter executive for the Central PA Region, since July 2012.

Prior to her interim assignments, Patterson was the regional administrative officer for the Central PA Region from July 2011 through July 2012, and the chapter executive of the Union County Chapter in Lewisburg, where she originally began her Red Cross career in 2001. Patterson is also a 21-year Navy veteran, who served in the Navy's Civil Engineer Corps.

She and her husband Mike have two grown children and currently reside in Lewisburg.