May 27, 2015 (Fort Worth, Texas) – Camp Fire First Texas is pleased to announce Ann Sheets will begin her service as the next President/CEO, effective July 1, 2015. Sheets will replace current President/CEO Zem Neill, who is retiring from the organization after 37 years of service. Sheets is currently serving as the Senior Vice President of Administration and Finance for Camp Fire First Texas, and has been with the organization since 1977.
The organization convened an executive search committee comprised of a cross-section of current and past board members. Using input from staff and volunteers, the search committee contracted with an executive search firm who fielded inquiries from numerous candidates. Finalists were interviewed by the committee and a recommendation was made to the board who voted on the final selection.
“We were thrilled to receive a recommendation from our search committee stating Ann as the leading contender,” said Lauri Hadobas, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Camp Fire First Texas. “Ann has a passion for Camp Fire that cannot be rivaled. She has both the skillset and the heart to qualify her for such a prestigious position.”
As President/CEO of Camp Fire First Texas, Sheets will lead one of the largest and most active Camp Fire councils in the nation. Camp Fire First Texas provides services to youth and adults in small group programs, outdoor education and camping and professional development training for child care providers.
Ann, a published author, completed a three-year term as national president of the American Camp Association in 2008. She previously served as national treasurer and as a board member for ACA and the American Camping Foundation, in addition to two terms as the Texas Section president and most recently was the board development chairman for ACA.
She is a graduate of George Williams College, receiving a master’s degree in camping administration in 1977. She was named the 2012 CFO of the Year – Non-Profit by the Fort Worth Business Press and she was recognized as the Distinguished Alumna from Aurora University/George Williams College in 2007. Her undergraduate degree is in music education from Texas A&M University – Commerce. Early in her career, she also served as national president of Tau Beta Sigma, a music honorary society.
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About Camp Fire First Texas
Camp Fire is one of the nation’s leading nonprofit youth development organizations, serving youth, teens and families in communities across the United States. Camp Fire programs are research-based, delivered where youth and families are via out-of-school time, environmental and camp, and teen service and leadership programs. Because youth want to shape the world, Camp Fire’s focus is giving youth and teens the opportunity to find their sparks, lift their voice and discover who they are. Camp Fire programs are proven to develop young peoples’ skills now so they can reach their full potential.
