In its mission to to serve all local youth by finding and accepting opportunities for significant growth on the Central Coast, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Mid Central Coast Board of Directors has tapped four community leaders who are eager to be part of that goal.
Leo Castillo, school administrator from Paso Robles; Santa Maria City Councilmember Carlos Escobedo; Phil Hansen, former Santa Maria Police Chief; and Chad Jordan, social media leader from Orcutt, joined the board in July.
With their support, guidance and influence, along with the leadership of the existing board, the organization has expanded to operate 22 clubs on the Central Coast, and has increased its budget to $5.4 million annually. The board now has 20 members.
Castillo is a 22-year veteran of the Army; he was last posted with the National Guard station on the Central Coast. Retired from the Army, he is now the disciplinarian/safety and facilities coordinator at Almond Acres Charter School in Paso Robles, where he and his family live.
He served as military liaison to a number of local nonprofits and was a board president of the Paso Robles Youth Center, where his appreciation for the Boys & Girls Clubs first developed.
Castillo’s passion for the Boys and Girls Club comes from his experience as a parent who benefits from sending his children to the club. After Castillo lost his son Logan Castillo to cancer, the Boys and Girls Club staff who knew Logan rallied the troops and sent care packages, cards, notes, and support before, during and after his passing.
“The Boys & Girls Club has my heart because they took care of my kiddos’ hearts through a very difficult time. This place isn’t just an after-school program, or a daycare, it’s more like family,” Castillo said.
Santa Maria Councilmember Escobedo is a first-generation American who moved here with his family from San Martin de Hidalgo, Jalisco, Mexico, pursuing the American Dream. Like many in the community, he and his family arrived with a bag full of hopes and dreams.
He knows from experience what dedication it takes to labor in the broccoli fields; and how exhausting it is working as a cashier during the night shift, being a cook, and being a server in a hotel banquet department.
For Escobedo, to serve as a board member for the Boys & Girls Club of Mid Central Coast represents an opportunity to give back to the community for all the support he has received.
He believes the formation of individuals determines the kind of society we build. He is convinced that the work carried out within the Boys and Girls Clubs plays an important role in the development of new generations. Escobedo lives in northwest Santa Maria and is a neighbor of the Santa Maria Clubhouse.
Hansen recently retired as Santa Maria police chief. Prior to his service in Santa Maria, he served for 36 years in the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. He has a background in tactical operations and critical incident command, and remains active in consulting and authoring articles regarding principles of ethical leadership.
Hansen, who lives in Arroyo Grande, believes that serving with the Boys and Girls Club will be a valuable way to contribute to the community.
Jordan said he has been honored to serve the Central Coast since moving here 30 years ago. He was awarded the 2019 Internet Marketer of the Year from the Internet Marketing Association. During that time, he has volunteered on the boards of various nonprofits, including churches, soccer clubs, and restaurant associations.
He has also launched a number of businesses locally, and is currently the sales director for a SoCal-based digital marketing company, Soci. Jordan is ardent about empowering the youth of our community, especially through sports and team-building activities.
“With these dynamic volunteers, who bring a diverse set of skills and experiences, Boys & Girls Clubs of Mid Central Coast is well positioned to meet our strategic expansion goals into the San Luis Obispo region,” said Nadine Sullivan, chair of the Board of Directors.
“These gentlemen have the experience serving children and their community that we demand from our leaders. I am excited to work with them on our upcoming expansion projects and am grateful for their support,” she said.
For more about volunteer service for Boys & Girls Clubs of Mid Central Coast contact Meghan Harris, chief of culture and equity, at meghan.harris@centralcoastkids.org or call 805-226-5534.