(Graphic Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

PARKERSBURG — Boys & Girls Clubs of Parkersburg recently welcomed four new members to the organization’s board of directors, increasing the membership to 15.

Ryan Radcliff, Becky Handa, Dakota Goldsberry and Brandon DeCicco joined the board in January. Each of them have direct experience with youth development in the communities the Clubs serve.

“We are honored to welcome Dakota, Brandon, Ryan and Becky to our team,” said Boys & Girls Clubs of Parkersburg CEO Lynn Reins. “Each one of them enthusiastically (supports) the Club and has a vested interest in our mission of enabling all young people with the skills necessary to make decisions that positively impact their futures in the Mid-Ohio Valley.”

Radcliff is a supervisory contracting officer at the Bureau of the Fiscal Service and serves as the Parkersburg South High School swim coach. His interests include leadership, youth development, brainstorming and coaching, and he said he wants to do his part to “change lives for the better.”

“We have such a great relationship with the PSHS swim (team) since they have used the Club as their home pool for over two decades,” Reins said. “Ryan has always impressed us with his professionalism and the interaction with his swimmers, so it made perfect sense for him to join our team.”

Organizational leadership first met Handa during the process of establishing the Glouster Club, which opened in August. She works as a Trimble County Schools outreach caseworker who is “an advocate of positive change and development,” Handa said.

“I have a very deep love for the community I serve and make it my personal mission to connect with all families and students in (the Trimble Township and Athens County) communities,” she said.

Reins said Handa is a perfect addition to the board with her knowledge of her community and ability to identify how Clubs can best serve those families.

“Becky has made an incredible impact on the Glouster community, and we’re excited to see how we can reach more kids in that area. Her willingness to help others is so inspiring,” Reins said.

Serving as a counselor at the Counseling & Wellness Center, Goldsberry has direct experience with youth development and considers himself to be person-centered, empathetic and goal-oriented.

“Dakota’s enthusiasm is infectious. His counseling background will provide great insight on how we can improve our Club and best serve our communities,” Reins said.

DeCicco recently moved back to the Mid-Ohio Valley and is a wealth adviser at North Bend Wealth Management. He said after he returned to the community, he realized he has a deeper appreciation for the services and impact of the Club.

“Brandon is another talented addition to our team, and we are so thankful he chose to serve on our board,” Reins said. “I am so proud of the growing group we have, and we are fortunate to have a diverse team of individuals who have our kids’ and the Club’s best interests at heart.”

These individuals join board members Robert Newell, Dave Fleming, Ryan Fitzer, Wes Tracewell, Gary Cyrus, Becky Deem McGinnis, Sheri Bond, Jan Dils, Coda Kyle, Tony Goudy and Melissa Shaffer. The board is responsible for providing overall governance to the organization which serves more than 200 young people daily in three locations across the Mid-Ohio Valley.