The Santa Clarita Valley Boys and Girls Club Governing Board of Directors announced Friday that it has selected Sandra E. Silva to serve as the club’s new Chief Executive Officer.

Silva replaces Jim Ventress, the Chief Professional Officer of the Santa Clarita Valley Boys and Girls Club who will be retiring effective June 30, 2014, after 29 years of club leadership.

Sandra E. Silva

The board selected Silva based on her extensive leadership background in national non-profit organizations. Silva brings 25 years of experience as a nonprofit executive to her new role, recently serving as Vice President of Membership for Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles.  She also served as CEO of the Girl Scouts Spanish Trails Council, successfully leading the council into the 2008 GSGLA merger.

Prior to joining Girl Scouts, Silva served as CEO for the American Red Cross – Inland Valley Chapter, and as a senior executive with the American Cancer Society in Los Angeles and Riverside counties.

A health educator and second grade teacher earlier in her career, Silva has been recognized for her leadership and service to the community as well as serving on boards of organizations dedicated to serving women and children.  She currently serves as a nonprofit management consultant, specializing in nonprofit transitions and is a graduate of California State University, Long Beach.

She will start working with the Santa Clarita Valley Boys and Girls Club as of April 2nd and takes the helm after Jim’s retirement as of July 1, 2014.

“Sandy comes to us with a wealth of experience in leadership, fundraising and teambuilding. She is a results-driven professional who we believe will build our capacity and help take us to the next level. As a Club kid in her youth, she understands firsthand the importance of our work with kids. We believe she has the right mix of dedication to youth and non-profit leadership experience needed to guide the Club’s continued growth and development,” stated Dr. Diane Fiero, Santa Clarita Valley Boys and Girls Club Governing Board President.

“I consider it an honor to have been selected by the Santa Clarita Valley Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors as the organization’s next Chief Executive Officer.  Jim Ventress has dedicated his career to the Boys and Girls Club organization and with his passion for serving kids, has made an indelible, incredible mark on the lives of so many young people and their families. I will do all I can to continue his legacy of service and in partnership with our terrific team, to serve kids the very best I can, as Jim has done.”  Silva said.

A committee comprised of six Governing Board members has worked diligently since late December to select Ventress’ replacement. “We were lucky to have an impressive pool of applicants for this position. We took our role as the selection committee very seriously as we know how important this position is to the future of our clubs. Jim will be a tough act to follow” Fiero said. The Governing Board voted unanimously for the appointment of Ms. Silva to lead the club.

Jim Ventress, the retiring CPO, has dedicated his life to our valley’s children and families. Ventress started with the Santa Clarita Boys and Girls Club in 1985 when the club operated five satellite locations that served 600 boys and girls. His office was located at the Plaza Posada building on Lyons Avenue in Newhall. Through the ensuing 29 years, Jim guided the club’s continued development to ensure it met the needs of the community, which grew by leaps and bounds as new families moved into the area.

The local Boys & Girls Club 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 at the amazingly low cost to the family of $36 per child per year. The Club stands by its mission, to open their doors to those children who need them most. Programs engage members in education and career exploration, the arts, sports, recreation and fitness, character and leadership development, and healthy life choices. In order to make all of this possible, the club largely relies on donations, fundraising events, and grants. Recently the City of Santa Clarita and Supervisor Antonovich’s office have also contributed vitally needed support.

“We look forward to welcoming Sandy to the club. At the same time we want to honor Jim’s legacy and will be holding celebratory events for Jim in the coming months as his retirement nears. We hope the community will come out and thank this wonderful man for all he has given to our community and families,” Fiero said.