TRAVERSE CITY — B.J. Wolff was among a small group of colleagues at Plante Moran’s Traverse City office at the end of the workday on Dec. 14, 2023, when he heard a call for help.
His colleague Clint Motteler had collapsed in an adjacent office from apparent cardiac arrest.
Senior manager Natalie Flowers called 911 and Wolff immediately began performing chest compressions and rescue breaths — continuing resuscitation without interruption until Emergency Medical Services arrived.
Wolff was credited with helping to save Motteler’s life, and received an American Red Cross Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action at an award presentation this month at Plante Moran, according to a Red Cross press statement.
The award, which includes a certificate and lapel pin, honors individuals who step up in an emergency and help save or sustain a life using lifesaving skills that may or may not be taught by the Red Cross training services.
Wolff said he learned CPR as an Eagle Scout growing up in Traverse City.
“I never thought I would ever use it in my life,” Wolff, a managing partner at the firm, said in the release. “I didn’t even think about it, I just reacted.”
Motteler, a U.S. Army veteran, is doing well today and back at work at Plante Moran in Grand Rapids.
Motteler’s wife, Kathleen, nominated Wolff for the award, according to the statement.
“Plante Moran was there for us throughout every step of this terrifying journey,” she said. “I wanted to thank the people that helped that day. But what’s adequate for what they did? How can I thank them for giving me back my husband?
“Then, my oldest daughter had the idea to nominate B.J. for an American Red Cross award, and I agreed that it’d be the perfect way to honor him, and the entire Traverse City team, for all they’ve done for our family.”
The Red Cross National Lifesaving Awards date back to 1911 and recognize individuals or teams, with or without Red Cross training, who either save or sustain a life.
The program consists of the Certificate of Merit, the Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders, and the Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action.
“I’m glad I was there to help,” Wolff said, adding that he is grateful to organizations like the Red Cross that teach CPR and first aid training. “I’m happy for Clint and that he’s 100-percent recovered. I couldn’t ask for anything better.”