Chesterton Tribune

 

 

Ryan Smiley tapped to lead merged Boys & Girls Clubs

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Ryan Smiley, currently the president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County (BGCPOCO), will serve as president and CEO of the new organization formed from the merger of the BGCPOCO and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana (BGCNWI).

Smiley will officially assume his new responsibilities on completion of the mergerÑ scheduled for Jan. 1Ñat which time the organization will jump into the top 2 percent of all BGCs in the country, “based on the number of facilities and members served during the school year,” according to a statement released on Monday.

The combined organization is expected to serve more than 10,000 youth and teen members annually throughout Northwest Indiana.

Smiley has served as interim president and CEO of BGCNWI since October 2016. BGCNWI serves members at six clubs in Lake County. Over the last year its average daily attendance has increased 40 percent and active memberships have grown by 1,046.

Meanwhile, in Porter County, overall active membership has increased by 14 percent over the last four years and average daily attendance by 42 percent.

“It's Smiley's dedication that is his biggest accomplishment,” said Julie Bieszczat, board chair for BGCNWI. “Through Ryan’s dedication and forward thinking, thousands of youth in Lake and Porter counties are given safe environments to learn and thrive. He has a passion for the mission, and each day works to put the needs of the youth we serve at the forefront. It’s all about the kids.”

“When both organizations’ Boards took the bold and visionary vote to join the two Agencies this past June, it was under their direction and everyone’s understanding that this decision was in the best interest of all kids,” Smiley said. “We now have the opportunity and responsibility to be a collective voice in Northwest Indiana that all children matter, regardless of where they live.”

“The Board of Directors for both Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County and Northwest Indiana are excited about this merger,” said Michael Simpson, board chair for BGCPOCO. “We have two very strong organizations coming together to serve more kids in our collective communities. Ryan Smiley is the right person to lead this effort. His focus is on our Club members and his strong leadership will create a greater impact for our one mission,” states Michael Simpson, board chair for BGCPOCO.”

“I am grateful for the confidence both boards have shown in my appointment as president and CEO for the merged organization,” Smiley said. “Ultimately, the merger will eliminate redundancies, improve efficiencies and allow us to direct more resources to our Clubs and to the programs we offer to ensure our long term sustainability and relevance.”

Smiley became president and CEO of BGCPOCO in 2013, after joining the organization in 2012 as director of operations. He has more than 17 years of non-profit management experience.

 

Posted 11/20/2017

 
 
 
 

 

 

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