FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
June1, 2006 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT

Duane Hallock Vice President, Development & Communications Camp Fire USA National Headquarters Telephone: (816) 285-2029 E-mail: duane.hallock@campfireusa.org

JILL PASEWALK TAKES REINS AS NATIONAL PRESIDENT AND CEO OF CAMP FIRE USA

(Kansas City, Missouri) – Jill Pasewalk, formerly Senior Vice President of Program and Field Services, takes over as the National President and Chief Executive Officer of Camp Fire USA, effective June 1, 2006.

In announcing this appointment, National Board Chair Gwen Whitson said, “Jill is the right leader at the right time. She is uniquely qualified to be our movement’s top national leader.”

Ms. Pasewalk brings over 30 years of management experience with national youth development organizations to Camp Fire USA. She has worked at the national headquarters located in Kansas City, Missouri for four years—two as the Field Executive overseeing the northwest regional office in Salem, Oregon, and two as Senior Vice President during which time she was responsible for developing Camp Fire’s multi-year strategic plan.  She has been instrumental in leading the process of articulating Camp Fire USA’s Model for Social Change, which links the mission and best practices approach to specific outcomes produced by Camp Fire USA programs.

Ms. Pasewalk‘s prior experience includes serving as CEO of the Camp Fire USA Alaska Council, Executive Director to the Camp Fire USA Bay Area Council in California and consultant to Camp Fire USA national headquarters as editor of the middle school Discovery curriculum. Prior to her work with Camp Fire USA, Jill served as the Executive Director of the YWCA in Santa Cruz County, and for the Girl Scouts USA. Ms. Pasewalk held community volunteer positions with the Camp Fire USA National Board of Trustees, Rotary International, and as a Campaign Cabinet member of the United Way.

As CEO of Camp Fire USA’s affiliate in Oakland, California, Ms. Pasewalk became a recognized leader in multi-cultural curriculum, launching some of Camp Fire USA’s important research validating the social and academic outcomes of Camp Fire programs. As CEO of Camp Fire USA Alaska Council, the largest youth agency in the state, she managed a budget of $5 million and led a staff of over 400. In addition, she served as the elected Chair of Camp Fire USA’s Association of Councils, now the Executive Leadership Strategic Alliance, and held a seat on Camp Fire USA’s national board of trustees as the professional representing the western United States.

Ms. Pasewalk graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and she earned a Master’s of Science degree in education with a focus on multicultural curriculum from California State University in Hayward, California.

Ms. Pasewalk says, “Every child deserves a chance to reach for the best in themselves. We want to make that possible for every child—boys and girls of all backgrounds, income, and geography. That is Camp Fire USA’s vision.”

Ms. Pasewalk further commented on Camp Fire’s vision and the upcoming 100th celebration, “Our mission is to build caring, confident youth and future leaders. In support of families we demand the best for our children, which means providing thoughtful, quality programs, experienced, professional staff, and a safe environment, both physically and emotionally.

Camp Fire USA will be celebrating its 100th birthday in 2010. We will use Camp Fire USA’s Centennial as an opportunity to raise awareness of issues affecting young people and their families. I am privileged to be working at Camp Fire USA because I get the chance to provide a way to change people’s lives. My new responsibilities allow me to continue my lifelong passion for youth development.”

# # #