Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia, Inc, (BGCNCG) announced that its corporate board has chosen Bob Mackey as the organization's next chief executive officer. Mackey, who has worked for the organization for almost a decade, will move into the organization’s leadership role effective immediately.

“Often, the hiring process for non-profit leadership talent can take months and place the organization in a holding pattern of uncertainty,” Mike Conrads, chairman of the board of directors for BGCNCG,  said. “But not this time. The board of directors moved decisively and unanimously. Bob Mackey has the qualities, qualifications and the experience needed to take this incredible organization forward as we enhance our existing clubs, our programming and expand into Newton and Putnam counties over the next few years to serve more youth more often.”

Bob Mackey most recently served as the Senior Executive Director for the Pete Nance Club of Greene County and created a Teen Center and Tween Center increasing Club membership by 40 percent for kids 12-18. Bob also dramatically increased community involvement at the Club as seen in partnerships with Novelis to build a state of the art Science & Math Lab and an outdoor pavilion with a new sidewalk, and with A2B Fulfillment to create the Art Studio and Youth Employment Program. Additionally, Mackey has been instrumental in providing over $10,000 in local scholarships to graduating teen Club members. He has involved the community in the Club as evidenced by greater pledges of financial gifts and more volunteers at the Pete Nance Club.

Mackey’s impressive record of service to youth dates back to 2005-2010 when he worked as a Juvenile Probation Officer for the Department of Juvenile Justice and the State of Georgia. Bob joined BGCNCG to help prevent kids from entering the juvenile justice system.

Bob’s talents have been recognized by the organization as he has served as the Regional Director of Education, Senior Club Director, and Director of Training for BGCNCG/Metro Atlanta. His efforts have paid off as graduation rates increased for Club kids in his programs by 87 percent, school discipline referrals decreased by 50 percent, and juvenile delinquency rates decreased by 30 percent.

Mackey has spoken before more than 55,000 youth and adults nationally and internationally, implementing successful professional academic and character building programs he developed for schools and community organizations such as GUIDE Inc., Playworks, & RYLA to name a few.

In his efforts to build tomorrow’s future, Mackey has worked with many notable community leaders: Congressman Jody Hice (GA-10); City of Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed; former DeKalb District Attorney J. Tom Morgan; Alicia Phillips, President of the Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta; David Johns of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans; Former Vice Chair of the Georgia Board of Regents, Felton Jenkins; Jim Clark, President of Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Bob has also served on several non-profit boards including Fulton County African American Initiative, Habitat for Humanity, Ferst Foundation, Atlanta Cares Mentoring, Morgan Fund and as a committee member for the White House Initiate for Males of Color White House Initiative.

Born into poverty in the small town of Center, Georgia, Bob learned that tough times don’t last, but tough people do. Raised by his grandmother, uncle, single mother, single step-dad, and “whoever was off work at the time,” Mackey soon realized that the odds were stacked against him. However, Bob made a commitment to himself to defy the odds and become a friend and mentor for kids of all backgrounds to become that person he was missing in his life while growing up. Bob and his wife Bridget Johnson Mackey reside in Oxford and are proud parents of a beautiful daughter Layla Mackey and a handsome son Evan Paul.

"I'm excited and grateful to be able to lead such an amazing organization." Mackey said. "We change lives and create opportunity for our kids. We are the hub for youth development and take pride in our work. We will continue to make a difference in the communities we serve by providing a safe, fun, productive place where youth foster academic achievement and connect with their dreams. I appreciate the fine folks who have been supporters of our organization and I look forward to serving Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia. Our mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. And we will do just that...and more!”

Serving more than 500 youth from Walton, Morgan, Greene, Putnam and Newton Counties, BGCNCG’s vision is to provide a world-class club experience that assures success is within reach of every young person who enters our doors. The result has all members graduating from high school with plans for their futures, demonstrating good character and citizenship, and living healthy lifestyles. For more information or to donate please go to: www.bgcncg.com. If you’d like to get involved please contact us at: 770-267-8034.