News
Interim CEO for BBBSOK
01/28/2009
Hall to serve as Interim CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters
Appointment takes effect February 1, 2009
Dirk O’Hara, chairman of the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma, announced the appointment of Sharla Hall, current vice president for resource development, to assume the position of interim CEO to replace John W. Jacobs, president and CEO, who will retire from the organization on January 31, 2009.
Hall has served as vice president for resource development since 2006. She is responsible for developing resources to support a $4,000,000 budget and leads a team of sixteen resource development staff in eight locations across Oklahoma. Additional responsibilities include supporting the CEO and Board of Directors, and building, maintaining, and stewarding relationships with major donors. The organization served nearly 2600 children statewide in 2008.
She has held resource development positions with increasing responsibilities with the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, as Associate Director of Institutional Advancement, with St. Gregory’s University in Shawnee, as Director of Development at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art in Shawnee and as Development Manager at Philbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa. She holds a B.A. degree from Oklahoma City University.
As interim CEO, Hall will perform all the duties associated with that office especially serving as the lead representative of the agency in all fundraising matters. She will serve in that capacity until the CEO position is filled.
The CEO search committee is comprised of BBBSOK board members, Dirk O’Hara, Kim Owen, Tom O’Brien, and Mark Whitmire.
John W. Jacobs retires from the agency after more than 33 years of professional service. He recently was presented with a commendation from Gov. Brad Henry for his dedication and impact on the lives of Oklahoma children during one of the agency’s major fundraisers, “a Taste of Tulsa.”
Of the Hall appointment Jacobs said, “I hired Sharla because of her knowledge and experience in resource development. I know that as interim CEO she will continue to contribute and develop a successful program that will meet our ambitious goals of serving Oklahoma children who could benefit from the support and caring of adult mentors.”
BBBSOK matches caring adults with children who can benefit from having an adult role model (other than their parents or guardians.) Independent national research shows that children in these types of relationships are less likely to begin using drugs or alcohol, do better in school, and are less likely to skip class or engage in violent behavior. They also have better relationships with their families and peers.