Big Brothers Big Sisters of America President and CEO Charles Pierson Announces he will Step Down

IRVING, Texas, Feb. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Big Brothers Big Sisters of America's board of directors has accepted Charles Pierson's resignation from his position as the organization's president and CEO. 

Pierson moved into the national leadership role in June 2012, after serving nearly a decade as president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star.  After a distinguished and decorated career with the organization, he made the decision for personal reasons.

"I am extremely honored to have had the opportunity to spend more than ten years serving Big Brothers Big Sisters as both a local and national leader and a Big Brother to three 'Littles,'" Pierson said.  "As the leader of one of the nation's most prominent youth-serving organizations, stepping down to make room for someone who can make the position his or her primary priority is the right thing to do."

The board has named former Tampa, Fl. Mayor Pam Iorio as Pierson's successor.  Iorio served as mayor of Tampa, Florida, the nation's 54^th largest city, for two terms from 2003 – 2011 and left office in 2011 with an 87 percent approval rating.  Iorio is widely praised for her track record -- working with diverse communities and leaders, revitalizing downtown Tampa, improving neighborhoods, reducing crime and bringing fiscal soundness to her city.  She is also a nationally recognized speaker on leadership.

Iorio has a proven commitment to mentoring.  As part of her Mayor's Mentoring Program, she partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters and offered employees paid time off to mentor kids.

"I believe in the important mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters and appreciate this opportunity to serve," Iorio said.  "The organization has benefitted significantly from Charles Pierson's leadership and I look forward to a smooth transition."

Iorio begins in her new role on March 31.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters
Big Brothers Big Sisters, the nation's largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network, holds itself accountable for children in its program to achieve measurable outcomes, such as educational success; avoidance of risky behaviors; and higher aspirations, greater confidence and better relationships. Partnering with parents/guardians, schools, corporations and others in the community, Big Brothers Big Sisters carefully pairs children ("Littles") with screened volunteer mentors ("Bigs") and monitors and supports these one-to-one mentoring matches throughout their course. The Big Brothers Big Sisters Youth Outcomes Survey substantiates that its mentoring programs have proven, positive academic, socio-emotional and behavioral outcomes for youth, areas linked to high school graduation, avoidance of juvenile delinquency and college or job readiness.

Big Brothers Big Sisters provides children facing adversity, often those of single or low-income households or families where a parent is incarcerated or serving in the military, with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. This mission has been the cornerstone of the organization's 110 year history. With nearly 340 agencies across the country, Big Brothers Big Sisters serves approximately 600,000 children, volunteers and families. The organization is engaged in a nationwide search to reunite with alumni mentors, mentees, donors, and family, staff and board members. Learn more at www.BigBrothersBigSisters.org.

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SOURCE Big Brothers Big Sisters of America