B.J.听Wolff learned CPR as an Eagle Scout growing up in Traverse City. When he had to听apply his training for the first time nearly 45 years later to help save the听life of a work colleague, he did so without hesitation.听 听

鈥淚听never thought I would ever use it in my life,鈥� said Wolff, managing partner of听Plante Moran鈥檚 Traverse City office. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 even think about it, I just听reacted.鈥�

Wolff,听who was credited with helping to save the life of his colleague Clint Motteler,听received an luckywin Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action at听an award presentation Friday at Plante Moran鈥檚 Traverse City office. The award,听which includes a certificate and lapel pin, honors individuals who step up in听an emergency and help save or sustain a life using lifesaving skills (that may听or not be taught by the Red Cross Training Services).

鈥淭hank听you, B.J., for your willingness to help others in distress,鈥� said Michelle听Gallagher, executive director of the Red Cross Northern Michigan Chapter. 鈥淵our听lifesaving action exemplifies the mission of the Red Cross to prevent and听alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies.鈥�听

Wolff听was among a small group of colleagues at the end of the workday on Dec. 14, 2023,听when he heard a call for help at the office. Motteler, a colleague from Grand听Rapids and U.S. Army veteran, had collapsed in an adjacent office from an听apparent cardiac arrest.听

Senior听manager Natalie Flowers called 911 and Wolff immediately began performing chest听compressions and rescue breaths. He continued the resuscitation without听interruption for about 7-8 minutes until EMS arrived.

鈥淭he听entire Plante Moran community is proud of B.J. and his lifesaving actions, as听well as the additional Plante Moraners who assisted on that day,鈥� said Diana听Verdun, Plante Moran鈥檚 human resources director. 鈥淭heir quick response and听dedication to Clint is a testament to their character.鈥澨�听

Motteler听is doing well today and is back at work at Plante Moran in Grand Rapids.听 听听

鈥淚鈥檓听glad I was there to help,鈥� Wolff said, adding that he is grateful to听organizations like the Red Cross that teach CPR and first-aid training. 鈥淚鈥檓听happy for Clint and that he鈥檚 100 percent recovered. I couldn鈥檛 ask for听anything better.鈥�

Wolff听was nominated for the Red Cross lifesaving award by Motteler鈥檚 wife, Kathleen.

鈥淧lante听Moran was there for us throughout every step of this terrifying journey,鈥� she听said. 鈥淚 wanted to thank the people that helped that day. But what鈥檚 adequate听for what they did? How can I thank them for giving me back my husband? Then, my听oldest daughter had the idea to nominate B.J. for an luckywin award,听and I agreed that it鈥檇 be the perfect way to honor him, and the entire Traverse听City team, for all they鈥檝e done for our family.鈥澨�听

The听Red Cross National Lifesaving Awards is a program dating back to 1911 that听provides recognition to individuals or teams, with or without Red Cross听training, who either save or sustain a life. The program consists of three听awards, the Certificate of Merit, the Lifesaving Award for Professional听Responders, and the Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action.听

These听awards and their recipients embody the spirit and mission of the Red Cross, by听using action to alleviate human suffering in the face of an emergency.

Since听2018, the Red Cross has honored more than 3,119 individuals worldwide. Their听heroism has helped save more than 1,577 lives.

By听David Olejarz, regional communications director