Calvin Lyons of Renton is the new president and chief executive officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of King County, a nonprofit focused on youth development for King County kids and teens.

The organization’s club on West Hill services the Renton and Skyway areas.

Lyons will serve as the public face of the organization, responsible for resource development, strategic business leadership and organizational vision for the Puget Sound region’s 14 clubs and 22 before- and after-school program sites, according to a press release. “Based on Calvin’s extensive nonprofit background and his passion for fulfilling our mission to serve youth, we are confident in his ability to build our success into the future,” said Erika Schmidt, the organization’s board chair.

Lyons is an alumnus of the Boys & Girls Club from Gary, Ind., giving him firsthand experience with the organization’s mission to serve youth. His childhood experience translated into a career of leadership in business and nonprofits focusing on youth development, according to a press release.

“I am honored to take on this new role and lead an organization that is so dear to my heart,” said Lyons.  “This organization has a long history as a community resource that has helped to improve countless lives. I’m proud to help advance its important cause, provide a clear vision for the future and move it forward.”

Lyons will be introduced to the public at the BGCKC’s annual KidsBreakfast on April 4 from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel. For more information on the event or to reserve a space, call 206-436-1819 or email beglin@positiveplace.org.

While the financial crisis of 2008 forced the closing of many clubs across the country, the King County clubs continued to provide award-winning programs on tight budgets while staying true to the mission to create a positive place for kids that are in need, according to the press release.

Lyons’ experience before joining the organization includes nonprofit work as the director of partnerships at the Talaris Institute, a foundation that helps parents raise socially and emotionally healthy children.  Lyons was also executive director of Rainier Scholars and worked with INROADS. Both nonprofits aim to assist and cultivate minority scholars for business, industry and community leadership.

Lyons has also worked in the private sector in both diversity and senior human resources roles at Washington Mutual and The Boeing Company. Supported by a college career that includes a Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University, a Master of Business Administration degree from Pepperdine University and completion of the Executive Leadership Program at Seattle University, he has built a career path that includes extensive volunteer and board service.