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Valz Named CEO for New Girl Scout Council

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Contributed by: holly policy on 7/11/2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Lisa Johnson
(561) 427-0175 office
(561) 722-8000 cell
ljohnson@gspgc.org

Denise Valz Named CEO of Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida

Denise W. Valz has been selected as the Chief Executive Officer for the soon-to-be-formed Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida. The new Girl Scout Council is being formed as a result of the merger between Girl Scouts of Palm Glades Council and Girl Scouts of Broward County. Valz currently serves as CEO for the Girl Scouts of Palm Glades Council.

The new council, which is expected to begin operation on October 1, 2008 will serve almost 19,000 girls in Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee Counties. With more than 275,000 girls ages 5-17 living in those communities, delivering a quality leadership development experience for even more girls is a priority for the new council.

"The joining of volunteer, staff and financial resources will better position our organization to serve the diverse and changing needs of today's girls," said Valz. "I am excited to be working with our boards, staff, and volunteers to ensure a smooth transition and build the foundation for future success."

The two merging councils have been working diligently toward this transition for more than a year and are committed to preserving the history of both councils. Girl members and adult volunteers can expect the full continuation of quality program delivery and volunteer services during the merger process. Beyond that, girls and volunteers will see expanded programs, greater access to camps and other program facilities, more opportunities for girls, and increased visibility for Girl Scouts. Girls, volunteers and council staff are currently realizing the benefits as the merging legacy councils have already begun work together on programs, volunteer trainings, fund raising, and other activities.

Valz was selected following a national CEO search by Evergreen Executive Search. With 20 years of leadership in Girl Scouting, Valz is well prepared to take the reins of the new council. She has served as the CEO for Girl Scouts of Palm Glades Council since 2005, where under her leadership membership has grown more than 30 percent. Her Girl Scout career started in Virginia, where she served in various management positions over 17 years. Prior to joining Girl Scouts, Valz worked in Social Services in Virginia.

Valz is a graduate of James Madison University, where she earned a B.S. Degree in Public Health with a minor in Social Work. She is a graduate of the Leadership Palm Beach County Class of 2007, is an active member of the Executive Women of the Palm Beaches and serves on the Board of Directors for the Women's Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County. Valz serves on the Board of Directors for the national organization; Association of Girl Scouts Executive Staff where she has been active in leadership roles for more than 15 years. Valz resides in Jupiter with her husband, LTC Darwin K. Valz. She is the mother of 2 daughters, 2 step daughters and one granddaughter who have all been active in Girl Scouting.

"We are pleased to have found a person like Denise, whose experience and vision will help ensure a smooth transition," said Sergio Mariaca, co-chair of the CEO Search Committee. "We were impressed with her leadership qualities, her communication skills, and her sincere commitment to the girls she serves. We believe these qualities will help ensure that Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida will be the high-capacity council that we envision."

The local Girl Scout council merger is part of a national transformation of the Girl Scout Movement to modernize the iconic organization and renew focus on leadership development for girls.

The two councils are among over 280 Girl Scout councils from throughout the country that are realigning under a national reorganization plan designed by Girl Scouts of the USA to create high performance, community-focused councils with strengthened infrastructures. The process aims to revitalize the premier leadership development program and to remain compelling, contemporary and relevant to today's girls.

Valz will lead a council with a $7 million operating budget and a staff of 60 housed at two regional offices. While the geographic boundaries of the council will change, the mission to build girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place, is unwavering. Council volunteers and staff remain fully committed to providing relevant and quality program opportunities for girls and look forward to bringing the strengths of the councils together for their benefit.

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