Charley Shimanski

About Charley Shimanski

Charley Shimanski is a seasoned mountain helicopter rescue and disaster response executive with more than 25 years experience leading national and international organizations through periods of growth, transformation, and transition. He is a recognized leader and expert in helicopter search and rescue, and an author and educator on the subject of helicopter rescue, Mr. Shimanski led the American Red Cross national disaster response program in Washington DC as Senior Vice President of Disaster Services. In this role, he led the national Red Cross response to Hurricane Sandy and other major disasters, and working with federal government leaders and elected officials. He has managed budgets in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Shimanski has served as a key spokesperson to the President of the United States, U.S. Congress, White House National Security Staff, Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). As a member of the FEMA National Advisory Council, Shimanski advised FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate on issues relating to serving underserved communities during times of need. Mr. Shimanski is a veteran of the Alpine Rescue Team, a Colorado-based mountain rescue unit, and Past President of the Mountain Rescue Association. A recognized expert in helicopter rescue operations and risk management, he has participated on hundreds of mountain rescue operations, and serves as the Mountain Rescue Program Coordinator for Flight For Life Colorado and as President of the Air Rescue Commission of the International Commission for Alpine Rescue. He is the author of several helicopter rescue training programs, available at In his work with the media, Mr. Shimanski has appeared on NBC Nightly News, CBS This Morning, Good Morning America, BBC World News and CNN and in USA Today, The Washington Post, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, People, Sports Illustrated, and The Christian Science Monitor.

Experience

1. Director of Search and Rescue (Sar) Education

   Vita Aerospace

   Jul 2023 — Present

   Director of Search and Rescue (SAR) education, leading development of SAR and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) training for helicopter rescue, SAR, and EMS agencies and individuals working in the SAR and EMS sectors.

Education

• University of Wisconsin-Madison

  Bachelor of Arts (BA)