The Boys & Girls Clubs of Chattanooga announced today that Jim Morgan will become its next chief executive officer effective Jan. 1, 2019.   Mr. Morgan comes to the BGCC after a corporate and non-profit career in the Chicago area, and was hired after a nationwide search by the board following the retirement of the organization's CEO Michael Cranford, who has been with the organization for more than 50 years.

Mr. Morgan joins the BGCC after serving as the executive director of Genesys Works, a leading non-profit social enterprise in Chicago that provides pathways to career success for high school students in underserved communities through skills training, meaningful work experiences and impactful relationships.  "In this role, Mr. Morgan established a proven record of building programs that transformed the lives of hundreds of high school students every year by ensuring they finished high school equipped and empowered with the knowledge and skills required to achieve career success and a lifetime of economic self-sufficiency," officials said.

“Jim is an exceptional leader who has the necessary experience and background to help the Boys & Girls Club develop innovative programs that will help all young people in our community – especially those in our underserved communities – realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens,” said Charlie Brock, board member and chairman of the search committee for the Boys & Girls Club of Chattanooga.  “We are extremely pleased and truly excited to find someone of Jim’s caliber to lead the Boys & Girls Club of Chattanooga going forward.”

Before joining Genesys Works, Mr. Morgan was the chief operating officer at PSA Solutions, an asset management firm in Chicago, and previously worked in corporate leadership roles at JPMorgan Chase and Navigant Consulting. 

"Morgan also brings a strong background of advocating for underserved youth," officials said.  "For more than 25 years, Morgan has been actively involved with and served as a board member for Link Unlimited, a leading academic and mentoring program in Chicago that connects high potential African American high school students with mentors, resources and foundational skills required for success as they advance into, through and beyond college. Jim also served as a board member for Christopher House, a children’s social service agency and charter school supporting 1,300 underserved students in Chicago."

“It is a tremendous privilege to lead the Boys and Girls Club of Chattanooga and be part of a team that continues to reshape the future of our youth today and help those who need it the most to reach their full potential,” said Mr. Morgan.  “I look forward to working with our talented staff, committed board members, volunteers, and our corporate and community partners to explore new ideas that will enable us to serve more children more effectively.

“We have a great opportunity in front of us.  In the coming months, I plan to explore how we can implement some of the innovative programs and educational curriculum that different Boys and Girls Clubs across the country are using today to support their local school system and improve the educational outcomes of our youth.”