GCAPP Announces New President & CEO

ATLANTA, Aug. 2, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Power & Potential (GCAPP) announced today that Ronald McNeill has been named GCAPP's next president and CEO.  McNeill comes to GCAPP after a long tenure in senior executive positions at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and brings a wealth of experience in advocacy, fundraising, government relations, and nonprofit and association management. McNeill, who succeeds Kim Nolte, will begin his role as chief executive on August 6. Cheryl King, board member and finance executive, who has filled the role as interim president will return to the GCAPP board.

"After an extensive and thorough search, the board is excited to have Ronald lead GCAPP. He brings an impressive combination of strong executive leadership, stellar development experience, and a clear understanding of GCAPP's work," said Carol Saul, chair of the Board of Directors. "His Boys & Girls Clubs background aligns well with GCAPP's programs and services in overall health and wellness including adolescent sexual health and we couldn't be more energized to have Ronald lead GCAPP through its next level of expansion," she said.

McNeill shares GCAPP's enthusiasm: "I am excited to lead GCAPP as we build upon its 23 years of providing transformative services to help eliminate health concerns and disparities for young people throughout our state. It is an honor to be a part of an organization that empowers young people to make healthy choices that can change their lives and the trajectory of Georgia's future."

McNeill joins GCAPP at a time of significant success in expanding comprehensive sex ed services to public schools throughout the state, working to keep teen pregnancy is at historic lows, and addressing STD and HIV rates among Georgia's teens and young adults which are some of the highest in the country. GCAPP also is piloting services for partnering schools for the new Georgia law that now requires public schools to teach age appropriate sexual abuse education kindergarten through 9^th grade. A longtime proponent of sex ed in public schools and teen pregnancy prevention programs, Jane Fonda founded GCAPP in 1995 when Georgia had the highest teen birth rate in the country. Today, the teen birth rate has declined by 68 percent.

A 16-year nonprofit sector veteran, McNeill most recently served as chief development officer of the Boys & Girls Club of Collier County in Naples, FL, where he guided development, public affairs, and marketing programs. Previously, he served for five years as director of government relations for the Boys & Girls Club of America at its Atlanta headquarters. In that role he led numerous successful resource development initiatives for youth development programs and youth advocacy initiatives throughout the Southeast. McNeill began his long tenure with the organization at the Boys & Girls Club of Nash/Edgecombe Counties in North Carolina as director of operations. He also served as executive director of the Independent College Fund of North Carolina, leading fundraising and marketing campaigns to support student scholarships and enrichment programs at 36 colleges and universities throughout North Carolina.

McNeill is an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the American Society for Public Administration. Much of his volunteer service has focused on advocating for young people to ensure that out-of-school time and expanded learning opportunities are policy priorities at the state and local levels. His board service includes The Golden Leaf Foundation Scholars Program, The Foundation for Independent Higher Education, and Boys & Girls Club Alliances in 12 states.

McNeill, a North Carolina native, holds a bachelor's from East Carolina University and a master's (MPA) from North Carolina Central University.

About GCAPP
GCAPP's top priority is to improve the overall health and well-being of young people in Georgia, particularly youth who are most vulnerable. Partnering with nearly 200 organizations we reach over 55,000 young people a year across the state through our programs in comprehensive sex ed, teen pregnancy prevention, youth empowerment, parent empowerment, and physical activity and nutrition.

For more information, please contact Bev Jones, GCAPP Communications Director, at 404-475-6051, or [email protected]

SOURCE Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Power & Potential (GCAPP)