Boys & Girls Club of Lenawee CEO, Cody Waters, to step down from role effective Sept. 13

ADRIAN — There will be a changing of the guard for leadership serving the Boys & Girls Club of Lenawee later this month.

On Thursday, it was announced that the board of directors of the Boys & Girls Club of Lenawee (BGCL) has accepted the resignation of Cody Waters from his position as CEO with an effective date of Sept. 13.

Waters, who has been with the BGCL for the past six years , has accepted a position with the Boys & Girls Club of America as director of organizational development. He and his family plan to remain in the Adrian community, a news release said.

“Reflecting on my time at the club there is one word that stands out — special. I had an opportunity to move to my hometown and excite a new generation of club families and supporters,” Waters said in an email to The Daily Telegram. “Over the past six years, we built a team of great people who put youth first. This great team has enabled us to highlight what we do for our members. In addition, we've collaborated with community partners to provide a village of support for each young person who comes in our doors.”

Last year, Waters, a 2004 graduate of Adrian High School , was named the Michigan Boys & Girls Club CEO of the Year for the work he does in Lenawee County, his involvement with the Michigan Afterschool Partnership and his relentless pursuit of opportunities for youth.

More: Boys & Girls Club of Lenawee CEO Cody Waters making kids, community better

During his time with BGCL, Waters strengthened community connections, helped BGCL complete a $2.5-million capital campaign and worked to enhance statewide funding for clubs across Michigan. He also led the way for BGCL to purchase the club’s first van/mobile unit.

“We've built support throughout Lenawee County and that shows with our successful legacy campaign and the expansion at both our Adrian club and our Hudson club,” Waters said. “When I say this place is special, it is. We have great people on our team who love young people and will go above and beyond to help others. That's pretty special.”

Sara Herriman, current director of community relations and development, has been named interim CEO and will take over Sept. 14. She will serve in this capacity as the organization searches for its next CEO. The board of directors has engaged the Boys & Girls Club of America to assist in the search process, the news release said.

“It has been a pleasure to work with Cody over the past six years. He has had a significant impact on the club experience for local kids and the improved financial stability of our club,” Herriman said in an email. “His presence will be missed at BGCL; however, we are excited for his next move with Boys & Girls Club of America.”

BGCL has two locations in which it serves the county’s youth. The main clubhouse is in Adrian at 340 E. Church St. An extension office is in Hudson at 781 N. Maple Grove Ave. Both locations seek to fulfill the mission of the Boys & Girls Club of Lenawee, which is: “To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.”

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BGCL opened its doors in Adrian in January 2001 to provide a fun, safe and constructive environment for Lenawee County youth in grades first through 12 during out-of-school hours. Today, the club serves more than 800 members in 10 school districts and is a bus stop for students in the Madison and Adrian schools. The Hudson extension, which annually serves more than 200 youth, opened in October 2005.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to step in as interim CEO,” Herriman said. “I have been connected with the Boys & Girls Club of Lenawee for over a decade, and I look forward to helping us transition into the next chapter of our club’s story.”

To learn more about the Boys & Girls Club of Lenawee and how to donate or how you can help, visit bgclenawee.org or call 517-266-9775.

— Contact reporter Brad Heineman at bheineman@lenconnect.com or follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @LenaweeHeineman.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Boys & Girls Club of Lenawee CEO, Cody Waters, to step down from role effective Sept. 13