Camp Fire First Texas is pleased to announce that Brian Miller, M.S., LPC, who has been serving as the interim President/CEO since early April 2023, will become the permanent President and Chief Executive Officer starting December 1.
“Throughout the leadership transition, the Board of Directors faced the challenge of finding the right leader to both honor the legacy of Camp Fire First Texas and inspire our community to achieve a world where each child, no matter their background, will have the skills, confidence, and ambition to thrive. I fully trust that Brian Miller will make bold strides to build up our next generation of leaders by creating a clear vision that engages and inspires our community for many years to come,” stated Lisa D. Mares, Camp Fire Board Chair.
The search was led by an appointed committee comprised of five diverse Camp Fire board members who guided the recruitment and selection process in partnership with executive search consultant Charlotte Keany.
Brian Miller said, “I am thrilled and honored to assume the role of president/CEO at Camp Fire First Texas permanently. Having served as the interim president/CEO, I’ve witnessed firsthand the incredible impact our organization has on North Texas communities. Camp Fire is not just a provider of out-of-school time and outdoor learning programs; we are champions of growth and development, investing in the future of children and youth. Our commitment to workforce development for early childhood educators reflects our dedication to building a solid foundation for the leaders of tomorrow.”
While serving as the interim president/CEO, Miller’s primary focus was on enhancing financial governance through the implementation of updated procedures and the launch of monthly forecasting. He also made efforts to improve the safety of both participants and staff members by conducting safety procedure audits, providing staff training, updating policies and procedures, and improving infrastructure.
“I am excited about the possibilities, the potential, and the positive change we can bring to the lives of those we serve. Camp Fire First Texas is not just a 109-year-old nonprofit organization; it’s a force for good, and I am honored to lead our dedicated team into a future filled with growth, innovation, and lasting community impact,” he continued.
Brian Miller, M.S., LPC, previously served as Camp Fire’s vice president of outdoor and facilities. He began overseeing the strategic direction and implementation of all programs at Camp El Tesoro in February 2018, and later his role was expanded to encompass facility oversight for the entire organization. His connection with Camp Fire started in 1993 when he began volunteering annually at El Tesoro de la Vida grief camp.
Previously, Miller worked in the role of a clinical services supervisor at Centene, and advanced through a number of leadership and clinical roles in his ten-year employment at MHMR of Tarrant County. He holds a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from Abilene Christian University and a Bachelor of Science from Texas Christian University. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Texas.
He currently serves on the Granbury ISD Education Foundation Board of Directors and as the American Camp Association Texoma Winter Conference Chair; is a member of the American Camp Association and recently joined the Rotary Club of Fort Worth. Miller also volunteers for Operation Canyon Rising, an expedition for disabled veterans to hike the Grand Canyon from rim-to-rim as motivation to aid in their rehabilitation.
Miller and his wife, Alison, reside in Aledo where they are both avid Ironman triathletes who compete at the highest level.
Connect with Brian at [email protected] or 817.831.2111, ext. 104.
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About Camp Fire First Texas
Camp Fire First Texas invests in North Texas communities by providing out-of-school time and outdoor learning programs for children and youth while also offering workforce development programs for the educators who care for them.
Our programs stand out as they are uniquely focused on the two periods of greatest brain growth and development: early childhood and early adolescence; leverage the impact of the outdoor environment on the brain to educate and connect children to each other and the world around them; and maintain a continuous improvement loop to maximize community impact.
Camp Fire believes in the dignity and the intrinsic worth of every human being. We strive to create safe and inclusive environments that celebrate diversity and foster positive relationships.
About Charlotte Keany Independent Consultant
After 26 years in a corporate career, including various senior-level positions in finance and operations for Amfac Inc., General Electric, and Fidelity Investments, Charlotte brought her skills to the nonprofit sector in 2004 when she joined the Center for Nonprofit Management. As the Director of Consulting, she managed multiple projects and led a team of more than 50 affiliate consultants who delivered a variety of capacity-building consultations with nonprofit organizations throughout Texas. In her role with the Center, Charlotte focused her work on building the capacity of nonprofits through program evaluation, business planning, succession planning, executive recruiting, and organizational sustainability. In 2010, Charlotte decided to concentrate her efforts on Executive Recruiting for senior level positions in the nonprofit sector and has placed more than 20 executives. After leaving the Center for Nonprofit Management in 2015, Charlotte continues her executive recruiting work as an independent consultant. Charlotte received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from San Francisco State University and a master’s degree in business administration from West Texas A&M University.
