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.