Los Padres Council, Boy Scouts of America Names New CEO/Scout Executive

Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties, February 18, 2015 — Los Padres Council of the Boy Scouts of America is pleased to announce that Carlos Cortez will fill its top position of CEO/Scout Executive. Mr. Cortez has twelve years of professional service, having served in urban, suburban, as well as rural areas. “We are excited to have the opportunity to hire a CEO of Mr. Cortez’s background and experience” said Randal Moos, Los Padres Council Board President. “For Mr. Cortez, it is a homecoming, as he was raised in Santa Maria and has a deep connection to the youth of this area”, continued Moos.

He is a results-oriented, high-energy, hands-on professional, with a successful record of accomplishment in program development, membership, and fund-raising. Mr. Cortez is fluent in Spanish and has tremendous experience working in diverse communities. During his time in Scouting, he has significantly increased fundraising support in two California Scout Councils.  Mr. Cortez has also been actively involved in forming new Scout Units, which has allowed more youth to participate in Scouting. “I am excited about the chance to help get more Central Coast youth involved in Scouting”, said Cortez.  “Given today’s societal challenges, parents are looking for quality programs for their children. Scouting offers that opportunity, and more”, Cortez finished.

Mr. Cortez was recently recognized with the National Award for Marketing Excellence in several categories including Best Website and Best Annual Report. Prior to accepting his position with Los Padres Council, Mr. Cortez worked for the Western Los Angeles Area Council.

Carlos and his wife Martha have 3 children Elysha, Noah, and Nathan. Mr. Cortez will assume his new responsibilities for the Los Padres Council beginning March 9, 2015.

Serving over 4,000 young people between 7 and 20 years of age in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties, the Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation’s foremost youth programs of character development and values-based leadership training. If you would like more information about the programs available through the BSA, please contact Los Padres Council’s Service Center at (805) 967-0105.

NEW COUNCIL PROGRAM DIRECTOR NAMED

Settling in at Rancho Alegre is the Council's new Program Director, Scott Oldenburg.  Scott comes to us from his most recent assignment at Long Beach (CA) Area Council. He replaces long-time Program Director Ron Walsh who is retiring effective February 28th. Scott's duties include management of the Council's primary asset - Rancho Alegre. He will be over the Outdoor School Program as well as the many activities and events that are held at Rancho Alegre througout the year Following is a short biography of Scott's extensive career in Scouting.

Scott Oldenburg became council program director for the Los Padres Council and on-site administrator for Rancho Alegre on February 1, 2015.  Scott has served the Boy Scouts of America for over 37 years in eleven different professional Scouting assignments.

His background includes extensive work in field and program service areas.  He has served councils in Detroit MI, Racine WI, San Jose CA, Fresno CA, Santa Rosa CA, Las Vegas NV, San Diego CA, and Long Beach CA prior to coming to Los Padres.

Scott is an Eagle Scout from Troop 7 in Madison, Wisconsin. He is a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, and holds an MBA from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.