Outward Bound Atlanta: Poised For Growth - November 12th, 2009

For more information contact:
Whitney Montgomery, Executive Director
North Carolina Outward Bound School
(828) 299-3366, Ext. 110
wmontgomery@ncobs.org

Outward Bound Atlanta: Poised For Growth
Ron Skeete named as new Executive Director


ATLANTA, GA. November 12, 2009 - Outward Bound Atlanta (OBA) announces that Ronald S. Skeete, MSEd, will join the organization as Executive Director effective Dec. 1, 2009. Skeete is currently Director of College Success for the Atlanta Education Fund.

As Executive Director, Skeete will be responsible for overseeing the safe and high quality educational programs that are the hallmark of Outward Bound Atlanta while fostering organizational growth to serve more students with life changing and transformative experiences. Skeete will also lead the organization’s relationships with supporters, other community based organizations, school systems and Advisory Board members.

“Outward Bound Atlanta has been successfully serving students in the Atlanta metro area for 17 years,” says Whitney H. Montgomery, Executive Director of North Carolina Outward Bound, the parent organization of Outward Bound Atlanta. “We were attracted to Ron because of his commitment to youth development, his experience in community programs, and his forward-thinking initiative across organizations to impact students’ lives. I firmly believe Ron will successfully lead our organization as we expand to serve more of Atlanta’s youth.”

Skeete brings more than 15 years of experience as a not-for-profit executive to OBA. He began his career working on a National Science Foundation grant to replicate effective science and math education programs, and deliver them to underrepresented populations. He then dedicated 11 years to progressively improving operations for the Boys & Girls Club of America’s Madison Square organization in New York City, serving over 6,500 youth annually at seven facilities throughout the city. Currently, as Director of College Success for the Atlanta Education Fund, he is responsible for coordinating various Atlanta nonprofit organizations and universities to leverage and increase their ability to accelerate public school performance.

Skeete has been a catalyst for change as a founding Board Member for the Youth Empowerment Mission, Inc. (a program that assists communities with combating the effects of gang culture) and the Brooklyn Excelsior Charter School (a K-8 public school located in Brooklyn). He is a member of the Georgia Charter School Association and a National Trainer for the Boys & Girls Club of America teaching to clubs across the country.

OBA’s Advisory Board President, Kim Hoefer, said that “Ron has the full confidence of the Board, and we are excited to have him on board. His passion around youth is tremendous, and will bring a new vitality to the organization. In focusing on organization development and applying his skills and experience, Ron is poised to take OBA to the next level.”

Skeete lives in Lawrenceville, Ga., with his wife Tameka, daughter Trinity and son Ronald Lorris.

About Outward Bound Atlanta

Outward Bound Atlanta (OBA) is a satellite piece of the North Carolina Outward Bound School. OBA’s mission is to inspire Atlanta’s young people through challenging experiences to build confidence, compassion and community. Over the last three years, Outward Bound Atlanta has served nearly 12,000 youths ranging from 5th grade to high school by delivering programs that focus on leadership, self-reliance, effective communication, self-confidence and decision-making.

For more information, please visit www.obatlanta.org.

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