Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee (BGCMT) announced that the Executive Committee on behalf of the Board of Directors has unanimously named Eric D. Higgs as the next Chief Executive Officer effective June 15, 2020. BGCMT conducted their search process with the assistance of Boys & Girls Clubs of America's CEO Search Team.
Jim Clark, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, said, "On behalf of all of us at BGCA, I am very happy to welcome Eric Higgs as the new CEO for Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee. As the Middle Tennessee community navigates recovery from this unprecedented time, I am confident Eric is the right leader. I look forward to the many ways that his talent, experience, and passion for serving youth will create lasting impact for the kids who need us most."
Eric is a mission-driven leader with deep and diverse experience in executive roles at several Fortune 500 companies and a non-governmental organization (NGO). In his more than 25-year career, he's demonstrated exceptional leadership skills through his ability to envision, energize, and enroll others to flawlessly execute for positive results. He consistently creates long-term, sustainable impact by inspiring his teammates to connect their beliefs to their work. Eric compassionately led people and his teams through change with a clear vision, strategic plan, and an exciting path forward.
His experience began at The Procter & Gamble Company where he led marketing and innovation efforts for global brands, including Bounty paper towels, for over 18 years. He then served in leadership roles at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and Kimberly Clark Corporation before moving to Bridgestone Americas, where he was most recently Senior Vice President of Marketing Operations, and prior to that, President of the Commercial Truck & Retread business. In each role, Eric worked to successfully drive business metrics, including sales, profit, marketing efficiencies, and digital engagement. He credits his success with his ability to define a clear vision for each team that would not only increase business results, but also improve life for others.
Driven to serve from a young age, Eric is currently an active board member of the Urban League of Middle Tennessee and Truckers Against Trafficking, both organizations devoted to those most vulnerable within our community. In his former home of Wisconsin, he also was the founding leader of a Boys to Men mentoring program for many years.
Eric is a Tennessee native (born in Jackson, TN), and raised in Chicago, Illinois. Eric and his wife, Jennifer, and their three sons now live in Nashville, Tennessee. Eric holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, and a Master of Business Administration from Duke University.
For Eric, the BGCMT opportunity is an honor, "This role as CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee allows me the opportunity to serve in an even greater capacity and ensures that my purpose in life and my purpose for work are completely aligned. Our youth are our most treasured resources, and I am humbled to be selected to hold such an important role. I look forward to partnering with the greater Middle Tennessee community, BGCMT staff, and board to do epic and impactful things for our youth."
As CEO, Eric's responsibilities include leading the organization's strategic direction, oversight of organizational operations, financials, programming, brand reputation, talent recruitment, resource development, and stakeholder relationships. The CEO also serves as the organization's primary ambassador and lead communicator. Eric, in partnership with his team, will oversee the organization's 11 locations. The CEO reports to BGCMT Board Chair, RJ Stillwell.
Jim Clark, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, said, "On behalf of all of us at BGCA, I am very happy to welcome Eric Higgs as the new CEO for Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee. As the Middle Tennessee community navigates recovery from this unprecedented time, I am confident Eric is the right leader. I look forward to the many ways that his talent, experience, and passion for serving youth will create lasting impact for the kids who need us most."
Eric is a mission-driven leader with deep and diverse experience in executive roles at several Fortune 500 companies and a non-governmental organization (NGO). In his more than 25-year career, he's demonstrated exceptional leadership skills through his ability to envision, energize, and enroll others to flawlessly execute for positive results. He consistently creates long-term, sustainable impact by inspiring his teammates to connect their beliefs to their work. Eric compassionately led people and his teams through change with a clear vision, strategic plan, and an exciting path forward.
His experience began at The Procter & Gamble Company where he led marketing and innovation efforts for global brands, including Bounty paper towels, for over 18 years. He then served in leadership roles at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and Kimberly Clark Corporation before moving to Bridgestone Americas, where he was most recently Senior Vice President of Marketing Operations, and prior to that, President of the Commercial Truck & Retread business. In each role, Eric worked to successfully drive business metrics, including sales, profit, marketing efficiencies, and digital engagement. He credits his success with his ability to define a clear vision for each team that would not only increase business results, but also improve life for others.
Driven to serve from a young age, Eric is currently an active board member of the Urban League of Middle Tennessee and Truckers Against Trafficking, both organizations devoted to those most vulnerable within our community. In his former home of Wisconsin, he also was the founding leader of a Boys to Men mentoring program for many years.
Eric is a Tennessee native (born in Jackson, TN), and raised in Chicago, Illinois. Eric and his wife, Jennifer, and their three sons now live in Nashville, Tennessee. Eric holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, and a Master of Business Administration from Duke University.
For Eric, the BGCMT opportunity is an honor, "This role as CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee allows me the opportunity to serve in an even greater capacity and ensures that my purpose in life and my purpose for work are completely aligned. Our youth are our most treasured resources, and I am humbled to be selected to hold such an important role. I look forward to partnering with the greater Middle Tennessee community, BGCMT staff, and board to do epic and impactful things for our youth."
As CEO, Eric's responsibilities include leading the organization's strategic direction, oversight of organizational operations, financials, programming, brand reputation, talent recruitment, resource development, and stakeholder relationships. The CEO also serves as the organization's primary ambassador and lead communicator. Eric, in partnership with his team, will oversee the organization's 11 locations. The CEO reports to BGCMT Board Chair, RJ Stillwell.
