"We’re thrilled to have Scottie leading the club into the future,” said Boys & Girls
Club Board of Directors President John Bruce. "Scottie has grown up not just in this
community but in our Club as well. He understands the needs of the kids we serve and is
the perfect person to take this organization to the next level.”
Parks has a career background in finance and information technology, but he has
served as the club’s Director of Operations since November, 2008. His prior club
experience was in his twenties as Assistant Teen Center Program Director during several
consecutive summer sessions. Earlier still, Parks experienced the club as a member.
"I first walked through the club’s doors when I was only 13-years old. Looking
back, I now see how all of my club experiences were preparing me for this challenging
and important role,” Parks said. "The need for our club in this community is profound.
I’m going to work hard to maintain our strong momentum and outstanding reputation as a
premier youth agency in Henderson County,” he continued.
Parks will replace outgoing executive director Kevin Lauritsen, who will be
leaving the club in July after 11years at the helm. Under Lauritsen’s leadership, the club
expanded its square footage by 100% and club membership by 200%. Lauritsen’s other
accomplishments include the implementation of nationally acclaimed youth programming
in the areas of career and education, character and leadership, and health and fitness.
"My hope is that the tremendous support of our club from this community will
continue so that the work of this incredible organization doesn’t skip a beat. Scottie has
demonstrated the capacity to lead our kids and our community to great things,” Lauritsen
said.
The mission of the Boys & Girls Club is to inspire and enable young people,
especially those most in need, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and
caring citizens. An all-inclusive membership to the club costs $5.00 per child, per year.
The club opened in 1993, serving a handful of members in a 2,000 square foot
building. Last year the club accommodated over 1,500 youth, serving students from
every school in the county public schools system.