[KHTS] – The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will honor Jim Ventress, who’s retiring after 29 years at the helm of the SCV Boys & Girls Club, in a special ceremony Tuesday at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration.

“He’s led by example,” said Bryan Lake, the Boys & Girls Club of the Santa Clarita Valley director of administration. “He has shown how much he cares and has shown us how we should be caring for the kids.”

Ventress has been instrumental to the growth of the Santa Clarita organization, Lake said.

When Ventress first moved to the Boys & Girls Club of the Santa Clarita Valley in 1985, there were 600 members. Today, the organization serves more than 2,000 children.

He is also responsible for the creation of the Newhall Clubhouse, which has attracted hundreds of new members and provided a location for various parks and recreation activities, Lake said.

“Jim has dedicated his life to our valley’s children and families,” said Diane Fiero, Boys & Girls Club of the Santa Clarita Valley governing board president.

“With his passionate belief in the Boys & Girls Club of America movement, positive regard for the kids, devotion to making sure they have a safe place to go filled with sports, arts, leadership opportunities and a focus on academic achievement and healthy lifestyles, he will be nearly impossible to replace,” Fiero said in a previous story. “We will miss him dearly, but he has certainly earned his retirement.”

Silva has previously acted as vice president of membership for Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles and CEO of the Girl Scouts Spanish Trails Council.

She brings 25 years of experience with her to the position.

– Jessica Lynn