Thomas Bruner
Chief Executive Officer

Thomas Bruner is a nationally recognized non-profit leader with over 20 years of successful experience in health and human services, non-profit leadership and government relations.

Bruner became Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross Oregon Trail Chapter in February 2007. As CEO, Bruner leads one of the largest Red Cross Chapters in the nation, with over 100 staff, 1,000 volunteers and a $7.4 million budget. In July 2007, Bruner was also named Regional Executive for Oregon, with leadership and oversight responsibilities for all six American Red Cross Chapters in the state. 

Bruner’s accomplishments include the successful turnaround of Cascade AIDS Project (CAP), Oregon's leading HIV/AIDS organization, as its Executive Director from 1998-2006. During his tenure, CAP's budget doubled, fund raising tripled and nationally-recognized programs were developed.

Bruner was Senior Policy Director for the Multnomah County Chair’s Office from 2006-2007, serving as lead policy strategist and advisor to the elected CEO of Oregon’s largest county and third largest government in Oregon. He was Founding Executive Director of AIDS Outreach Center in Fort Worth, Texas from 1988-1998, building one of the largest and most effective HIV/AIDS organizations, and helping shape HIV/AIDS policy, in the south and southwest.

Bruner serves on the Oregon Government Ethics Commission, the Portland Parks and Recreation Board and is an active member of Dharma Rain Zen Center. He served on Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski’s Transition Team, is a graduate of Leadership Portland and Leadership Fort Worth, was a member of the Junior League of Portland’s Community Advisory Board and has served on numerous other boards.

Bruner is the recipient of many honors, including the Equality Award from the Oregon chapter of the Human Rights Campaign, the Hercules Award from the United Way of Tarrant County and the Administrators Achievement Award from the U.S. Health Care Financing Administration. He was named an “Emerging Leader” by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and a “40 Under 40” by the Tarrant County Business Press. Bruner has been listed in Who’s Who in Executives and Professionals, Who’s Who Among Human Service Professionals and Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare.

Bruner holds an M.A. from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas and a B.A. from Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas.