BGCBB Named Organization of the Year
By Jayla Wilson
Outlook Writer
In the six months that Lee Wagner has been executive director for Boys and Girls of the Big Bend (BGCBB), his continuous goal to be role model to the “Club Kids” of the community has gotten him and his staff recognized as the organization of the year by Capital Outlook.
Wagner, has a vision for BGCBB, through his many meetings with leaders and stakeholders in the community, it’s his hope to serve as a facilitator for the community to continually invest in the future of its youth.
“Mr. Wagner is a consummate professional and an excellent communicator and advocate for the children we serve,” says Todd Sumner, who serves on the board of directors for BGCBB.
Wagner says there were a few challenges that he faced, when he came in as executive director of the BGCBB. One of the many challenges faced is what Wagner says many other non-profits are dealing with: cash flow.
“A lot of the grants that we receive you have to spend the money, submit receipts to get reimbursed,” said Wagner, that can sometimes cause a hardship because the reimbursement process my take two to three weeks. Wagner says he doesn’t plan on falling short of the challenges he has faced, his plans for BGCBB this upcoming year is in the making. Wagner is strategically seeking to develop new partnership opportunities for the organization.
One of the partnerships Wagner has successfully organized is the county commissioners of Gadsden County. Within the next few months, with the help of the County Commissioners, Wagner plans to open up a Boys and Girls Club in Quincy.
Even with his many years in running the organization, Wagner says that he has met a lot of great people who want to support and help him make BGCBB everything and more.
“He has the skills to take the Boys & Girls Club of the Big Bend to the next level with continued support from his Board of Directors and community. They are already turning the corner. The organization is doing all the right things regarding program impact, board, staff and resource development,” said Daniel Lyon, who serves as the executive director of the Florida Alliance of Boys and Girls Club. “The Florida Alliance fully supports Lee’s efforts and will continue to be a partner with him and Boys and Girls Club of the Big Bend for many years to come,” said Lyon.
With all of the challenges and upcoming plans that Wagner has for the BGCBB, Wagner feels honored to be recognized as the Organization of the Year. “I feel like the Boys and Girls Club of the Big Bend even before I got here has always done a great job on impacting the lives of kids working with kids and trying to help them to become successful individuals,” he said. “While we certainly do what we do because we love kids, we (also) want to impact the lives of kids. It’s always great to be recognized for the work that we do.”
