Plano Star-courier > News
Former arts executive gets new position
By Bill Conrad, bconrad@starlocalnews.com
A new CEO has been tasked with leading the Boys & Girls Clubs of Collin County, which serve more than 8,000 children annually.
Mike Simpson, a former Frisco mayor and chief executive of the Arts Center of North Texas, took over the reins of the organization on Monday, just months after leaving his three-year position with the arts center.
Simpson will be in charge of leading the organization as it expands to serve more children in one of the fastest-growing counties in the state.
"We are working with the board to develop a strategic plan that will provide the direction for the club as it moves forward," Simpson said. "The needs, if anything, are greatly increasing as we get more and more families moving into this area."
Simpson, who was on the Frisco City Council from 2000-2002 and served as mayor from 2002-2008, said he has been an admirer of the club for many years and is looking forward to the challenge.
"When I was the mayor of Frisco, I worked closely with the Boys & Girls Clubs here in Frisco," he said. "When I found out they were looking for a CEO I applied since it not only has to do with helping kids and expanding programs, but it involves raising funds and developing programs that will help the kids. I have a passion for doing that, and I thought I may be able to fit into their needs."
Von Best, the president of the clubs' board of directors, said Simpson's experience in leadership roles in the county should be a boon for the organization.
"We are very excited to have Mike Simpson representing The Boys & Girls Clubs of Collin County as our new CEO," Best said via email. "Mike's track record of success, experience and involvement in the Collin County region over the past several years will provide tremendous opportunity for the organization and insure we remain a model for clubs around the country."
The organization currently has three main locations; one each in Plano, Frisco and McKinney. In addition, there is an on-site center at Shepton High School as well as an extension site at Parkway Hills Baptist Church in Plano. Even with the five total facilities, Simpson said future expansion will likely be necessary as the population continues to increase in the northern and eastern portions of Collin County.
Simpson resides in Frisco with his wife Sandy. The couple has three children and five grandchildren and will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in August.
Mike Simpson, a former Frisco mayor and chief executive of the Arts Center of North Texas, took over the reins of the organization on Monday, just months after leaving his three-year position with the arts center.
Simpson will be in charge of leading the organization as it expands to serve more children in one of the fastest-growing counties in the state.
"We are working with the board to develop a strategic plan that will provide the direction for the club as it moves forward," Simpson said. "The needs, if anything, are greatly increasing as we get more and more families moving into this area."
Simpson, who was on the Frisco City Council from 2000-2002 and served as mayor from 2002-2008, said he has been an admirer of the club for many years and is looking forward to the challenge.
"When I was the mayor of Frisco, I worked closely with the Boys & Girls Clubs here in Frisco," he said. "When I found out they were looking for a CEO I applied since it not only has to do with helping kids and expanding programs, but it involves raising funds and developing programs that will help the kids. I have a passion for doing that, and I thought I may be able to fit into their needs."
Von Best, the president of the clubs' board of directors, said Simpson's experience in leadership roles in the county should be a boon for the organization.
"We are very excited to have Mike Simpson representing The Boys & Girls Clubs of Collin County as our new CEO," Best said via email. "Mike's track record of success, experience and involvement in the Collin County region over the past several years will provide tremendous opportunity for the organization and insure we remain a model for clubs around the country."
The organization currently has three main locations; one each in Plano, Frisco and McKinney. In addition, there is an on-site center at Shepton High School as well as an extension site at Parkway Hills Baptist Church in Plano. Even with the five total facilities, Simpson said future expansion will likely be necessary as the population continues to increase in the northern and eastern portions of Collin County.
Simpson resides in Frisco with his wife Sandy. The couple has three children and five grandchildren and will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in August.
Copyright © 2013 - Star Local News