Chief Scout Executive
Encyclopedia
The Chief Scout Executive is the top professional of the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America
. In most similar non-profit organizations, this is equivalent to the position of executive director
.
The current Chief Scout Executive is Robert J. Mazzuca
, who was named on May 22, 2007. Mazzuca took office on September 1, 2007 and succeeded Roy Williams
.
This position should not be confused with the position of Chief Scout. Many National Scout Associations still use this position, however, it is always for a volunteer position, not a paid one. In the BSA, only three people (Ernest Thompson Seton
, James E. West
, Elbert K. Fretwell
) have held the position of Chief Scout, which is separate and distinct from the position of CSE.
There also exists an assistant chief scout executive, formerly called deputy chief scout executive.
While the position of Chief Scout Executive had yet to be created, the first person to assume the helm of the BSA as a paid position was John Alexander from June to October 1910. At the time the position was called Managing Secretary. When he left the position, it was taken over by Edgar M. Robinson
. Robinson was the YMCA's first International Secretary for Boys' Work and had written an article in the national YMCA's magazine praising the Scouting program in use at many YMCA's in the country.
Robinson met with Boyce on May 3, 1910, and was asked to join with Boyce in building one national organization. After the June organizational meeting, Robinson guided the organization until December 1910, when he had to resign because of his responsibilities to the YMCA. Colin H. Livingstone
, president of the BSA, recommended a young attorney by the name of James E. West.
James West took the position of Managing Secretary of the BSA on January 2, 1911. He would later get the BSA to rename the position Chief Scout Executive on November 28, 1911.
NOTE: from 1910-1911 John Alexander and then Edgar M. Robinson
was the head of the BSA in the role of managing secretary.
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
. In most similar non-profit organizations, this is equivalent to the position of executive director
Executive director
Executive director is a term sometimes applied to the chief executive officer or managing director of an organization, company, or corporation. It is widely used in North American non-profit organizations, though in recent decades many U.S. nonprofits have adopted the title "President/CEO"...
.
The current Chief Scout Executive is Robert J. Mazzuca
Robert J. Mazzuca
Robert J. Mazzuca is the Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America. He is the eleventh person to hold that position, with his term starting in 2007.-Early life and family:...
, who was named on May 22, 2007. Mazzuca took office on September 1, 2007 and succeeded Roy Williams
Roy Williams (Scouting)
Roy Williams is the former Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America. He is the tenth person to hold that position, serving between 2000–2007.-Scouting career:...
.
This position should not be confused with the position of Chief Scout. Many National Scout Associations still use this position, however, it is always for a volunteer position, not a paid one. In the BSA, only three people (Ernest Thompson Seton
Ernest Thompson Seton
Ernest Thompson Seton was a Scots-Canadian who became a noted author, wildlife artist, founder of the Woodcraft Indians, and one of the founding pioneers of the Boy Scouts of America . Seton also influenced Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting...
, James E. West
James E. West (Scouting)
Dr. James E. West was a lawyer and an advocate of children's rights, who became the first professional Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America , serving from 1911–1943. Upon his retirement from the BSA, West was given the title of Chief Scout.-Personal life:His father died around the...
, Elbert K. Fretwell
Elbert K. Fretwell
Professor Elbert K. Fretwell, PhD,[1878-1962) was an American academic and early leader in the field of youth development through recreation and extracurricular activity. He served as the second Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America , serving from 1943 to 1948. Upon his retirement...
) have held the position of Chief Scout, which is separate and distinct from the position of CSE.
There also exists an assistant chief scout executive, formerly called deputy chief scout executive.
While the position of Chief Scout Executive had yet to be created, the first person to assume the helm of the BSA as a paid position was John Alexander from June to October 1910. At the time the position was called Managing Secretary. When he left the position, it was taken over by Edgar M. Robinson
Edgar M. Robinson
Edgar M. Robinson was Boys' Work Secretary of the International Committee of the YMCA and a long-time director and executive with the YMCA in New York. He is notable for his significant efforts in helping to establish the Boy Scouts of America ....
. Robinson was the YMCA's first International Secretary for Boys' Work and had written an article in the national YMCA's magazine praising the Scouting program in use at many YMCA's in the country.
Robinson met with Boyce on May 3, 1910, and was asked to join with Boyce in building one national organization. After the June organizational meeting, Robinson guided the organization until December 1910, when he had to resign because of his responsibilities to the YMCA. Colin H. Livingstone
Colin H. Livingstone
Colin H. Livingstone was an American railroad executive and first president of the Boy Scouts of America. Born in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada on June 3, 1863, he died at age 79 on February 1, 1943 in Fisherville, Virginia....
, president of the BSA, recommended a young attorney by the name of James E. West.
James West took the position of Managing Secretary of the BSA on January 2, 1911. He would later get the BSA to rename the position Chief Scout Executive on November 28, 1911.
List of Chief Scout Executives
- (2007–current) Bob MazzucaRobert J. MazzucaRobert J. Mazzuca is the Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America. He is the eleventh person to hold that position, with his term starting in 2007.-Early life and family:...
- (2000–2007) Roy WilliamsRoy Williams (Scouting)Roy Williams is the former Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America. He is the tenth person to hold that position, serving between 2000–2007.-Scouting career:...
- (1993–2000) Jere B. RatcliffeJere RatcliffeJere Brian Ratcliffe is a retired professional Scouter in the Boy Scouts of America who was the ninth Chief Scout Executive.-Background:Ratcliffe grew up in Springfield, Ohio, where he met his wife, the former Judy Jones. He was awarded Eagle Scout in 1955 and as an adult was presented with the...
- (1985–1993) Ben H. LoveBen H. LoveBen H. Love was the eighth Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America serving from 1985 to 1993.-Scouting professional:...
- (1979–1984) J. L. TarrJ. L. TarrJames Lee Tarr was a professional Scouter for 43 years who served as the seventh Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America.-Personal life:...
- (1976–1979) Harvey L. PriceHarvey L. PriceHarvey L. Price was a career professional Scouter in the Boy Scouts of America, and was appointed the sixth Chief Scout Executive of the BSA National Council, serving from 1976 to 1979.-Early life:...
- (1967–1976) Alden G Barber
- (1960–1967) Joseph A. Brunton JrJoseph BruntonJoseph A. Brunton, Jr. was a career professional for the Boy Scouts of America, and served the BSA National Council as the fourth Chief Scout Executive from 1960 to 1966.-BSA career:...
- (1948–) Arthur SchuckArthur A. SchuckArthur Aloys Schuck was a long time professional Scouter of the Boy Scouts of America who served as the Chief Scout Executive for twelve years from 1948 to 1960.-Early career:...
- (1943–1948) Elbert K. FretwellElbert K. FretwellProfessor Elbert K. Fretwell, PhD,[1878-1962) was an American academic and early leader in the field of youth development through recreation and extracurricular activity. He served as the second Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America , serving from 1943 to 1948. Upon his retirement...
, became Chief Scout on retirement - (1911–1943) James E. WestJames E. West (Scouting)Dr. James E. West was a lawyer and an advocate of children's rights, who became the first professional Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America , serving from 1911–1943. Upon his retirement from the BSA, West was given the title of Chief Scout.-Personal life:His father died around the...
, became Chief Scout on retirement
NOTE: from 1910-1911 John Alexander and then Edgar M. Robinson
Edgar M. Robinson
Edgar M. Robinson was Boys' Work Secretary of the International Committee of the YMCA and a long-time director and executive with the YMCA in New York. He is notable for his significant efforts in helping to establish the Boy Scouts of America ....
was the head of the BSA in the role of managing secretary.
Deputy and assistant Chief Scout Executives
- (2007–present) Wayne Brock (Assistant)
- (?–present) James Terry (Assistant)
- (2006–2007) Bob MazzucaRobert J. MazzucaRobert J. Mazzuca is the Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America. He is the eleventh person to hold that position, with his term starting in 2007.-Early life and family:...
(Assistant) - (2001-?) Kenneth Connelly
- (8/15/1999-8/5/2006-?) David J. Ross II
- (1970s) Marshall Monroe (Assistant)
- (?-1963-1968-?) Marsh M. Ammerman (Assistant)
- (1961-?) Robert L. Billington
- (1957–1962) Charles M. Heistand
- (- James P. Fitch
- (-1945-2/1960) Pliny Hunnicut Powers (Deputy)
- (1944–) Perry A Lint (died in office)
- (1931?–1943) Arthur SchuckArthur A. SchuckArthur Aloys Schuck was a long time professional Scouter of the Boy Scouts of America who served as the Chief Scout Executive for twelve years from 1948 to 1960.-Early career:...
- (1919–1943) George J. FisherGeorge J. FisherGeorge J. Fisher M.D. was a physician and leader in the fields of youth development and physical fitness in the United States during the early twentieth century. He was a noted advocate for advancing the sport of volleyball....
(became National Scout CommissionerCommissioner ServiceCommissioner Service is the group within the Boy Scouts of America that provides direct service to each Scouting unit . Commissioners are experienced Scouters who help chartered organizations and unit leaders to achieve the aims of Scouting by using the methods of Scouting...
upon retirement)