The Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley surprised longtime board member Tom Dierckman with an award as “Governing Board Member of the Decade” during its regular board meeting Sept. 27 in Santa Clarita.

“I was very humbled. I work with such great and talented people on the Club’s board. Any success we have is from all of us pulling together,” said Dierckman, who has served on the board since 1997 and was president from 2001-2004. He is credited with enabling the Club to expand its Canyon Country operations into a $6.2 million, 27,000 square-foot, shared-use facility at Sierra Vista Junior High.

During Dierckman’s term as board president, the Sierra Vista Clubhouse was built. In its first nine months, more than 1,000 children had joined the Club at that location. The Club’s budget went from $658,000 his first year to $1,485,000 in his fourth and final year as president.

Board President Alan Lyon (left) presents Dierckman with the award.

Alan Lyon, current governing board president, said that the board really wanted to surprise and honor Dierckman and thank him for his years of support. A similar award was first given in the 1990s to Gary Condie, who now serves as the president of the Club’s foundation board.

“Time has gone by so fast and we realized it was time to look at another group of nominees. Tom stood out, especially with the Sierra Vista project,” Jim Ventress, chief professional officer of the Club, said. “And he really has the biggest heart for our kids.”

Dierckman currently serves on the board as the vice president of government and public relations. He is an alumnus of a Club in the Midwest. Dierckman attended the J. Kenneth Self Boys & Girls Club of Shelbyville, Indiana, throughout high school and was an avid basketball player.

“The Boys & Girls Club really made a difference in my life when I was growing up. Being involved with the Club here has given me that opportunity to give back,” he said.

A resident of Santa Clarita since 1982, Dierckman owns M6Advisors, a real estate development and management consulting services company. He and Sandy, his wife of 35 years, have two grown boys.

Looking ahead, Dierckman is focused on doing his part to keep the Boys & Girls Club strong, despite the economic challenges.

“Staff members have made extraordinary efforts to help the Club stay on firm, financial ground. We raise money where we can and make sure that the Club is providing as much in services and value as we can to the kids,” Dierckman said.

The Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley was formed in 1968 by a group of community leaders who recognized the need for high-quality programs and facilities at affordable costs for area young people. The Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley now serves more than 2,400 youth, ages 7-17, at facilities in Newhall and Canyon Country.  Programs engage members in education and career exploration, the arts, sports, recreation and fitness, character and leadership development, and healthy life choices.  For more information, visit www.scvbgc.org.