2023 - Director of Support Services & Assistant Scout Executive

My career up to 2023 had been in rural and smaller councils. I felt it would be beneficial to gain experience working for a large council with departments. When an opportunity opened in the Bay-Lakes Council in Wisconsin, I applied. I began my service as the Director of Support Services for the Bay-Lakes Council in February of 2023. On January 4, 2024 my position was changed to Assistant Scout Executive. At that point I took on management of the Field Service team and general operations while retaining my Director of Support Services responsibilities.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee the financial operations of the council (3.8 million).

• Oversee the camp operations of the council.

• Oversee council level programs.

• Oversee all Field Service operations; including membership and Friends of Scouting.

• Oversee general operations of the council, acting as Scout Executive in most cases.

• As DSS, supervise a Program Director, a Camping Executive, an Accounting Specialist, four office support persons, and three Rangers.

• As ASE, directly supervise two Field Directors, a District Director, a Director of Camping, and an Accounting Specialist. Indirectly supervise seven District Executives and two Rangers.

• Staff advisor to the Commissioners and the Finance, Budget, Program, Property, Investment and Membership Committees.

Accomplishments:

• Adapted council operations in a changing staff structure. Stabilize remaining staff after staff reduction.

• My field team started 22 new units in 2024, achieving growth.

• Projected to end 2025 with a $250,000 net income.

• Council ended 2024 with $352,000 net income (9%).

• Paid off credit line in 2024, no draws on the line of credit in 2025.

• Found a $96k budget error that re-balanced the council budget.

• 18% growth in Scouts BSA camp attendance in 2025.

• 3% growth in Scouts BSA camp attendance in 2024.

• 1% growth in Cub Scout camp attendance in 2024.

• Camps returned $220,000 to the council budget in 2024.

• Found insurance coverage for non-BSA groups to use camp properties.

• Served as the Staff Partner for the motor pool during the 2023 National Jamboree. Will serve again in 2026.

• ATV Safety Institute (ASI) Instructor Certified.

• Expanded ATV program and shooting sports to Camp Hiawatha.

• Planned unique program features and trek experiences for summer camp. 

• Continued to improve 4 camp properties.