Jennifer Anderson, who has been a champion for the Boys and Girls Club of Jackson County for three decades, has been named as the agency’s Chief Executive Officer. The appointment by the Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors was made official on September 1.

Anderson replaces her friend and mentor, Catherine Glaude, who retired as Boys and Girls Club CEO this summer after many years as the “godmother” of the local organization. 

“After some serious soul searching, I decided to retire and start a new chapter in my life, where I take the memories of the incredible journey I have had with the organization with me in my heart, and will now watch the Boys and Girls Club of Jackson County flourish and continue to grow programmatically and financially,” said Catherine.

“I am pleased that the future of the organization is in the hands of our new CEO, Jennifer Anderson. Jennifer has been with us for over 29 years, and she deserves the opportunity, recognition, and responsibility to lead the Boys and Girls Club to greater success. I know that she, her corporate board of directors and her staff/team possess the qualifications and expertise to take the organization forward while creating a lasting impact on the youth and families in Jackson County. I wish Jennifer the best, and I ask God to continue to bless her on her new journey. Congratulations, Jennifer!”

Jennifer is a graduate of Moss Point High School and Tougaloo College, where she majored in education. As stated by Ms. Glaude, she has been with the Boys and Girls Club of Jackson County for 29 years. She began as a Club Unit Director, and was promoted to Director of Operations in 1998, a position she has held until her recent ascension to CEO. She has received numerous awards through her work, such as the Boys & Girls Club of Mississippi Legacy Award, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Southeast Professional of the Year, Boys & Girls Club Magnolia Association Professional of the Year, and the Boys & Girls Club of Jackson County  “From the Heart” Award. 

Additionally, Anderson was elected in 2018 to serve on the Moss Point School District Board of Trustees, where she currently serves as president. She has been Parent of the Year for the MPSD, and is a 2007 graduate of Leadership Jackson County. She attends First Missionary Baptist Church in Moss Point, and is the proud parent of Jasmine and State Representative Jeramey Anderson.

“I love being part of this great big Boys and Girls Club movement, and I love serving the young people of our community,” said Jennifer. “My mission is simple—helping  these young folks in Jackson County reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens as well as to become successful adults. I know my dad would be proud of me. He loved working with young people—that was his passion, and it’s mine as well.”

Richard Lucas is a native and lifetime resident of Pascagoula. He is a Pascagoula High School graduate and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Mississippi. In 2017, he retired from Singing River Health System after a 36-year career as Director of Communications. He recently had a ten-year run as a weekly sports columnist for The Mississippi Press. Richard and his wife Mary Jon, a retired school librarian, have been married for 43 years. They have two sons, Cooper and Wesley, and two dogs, Bea and Lily. The Lucases attend First United Methodist Church in Pascagoula. In retirement, Richard remains active in community affairs, serving on boards and committees such as The United Way of Jackson and George Counties, the Pascagoula Strategic Planning Committee, the Jackson County Historical and Genealogical Society, Pascagoula Main Street, and others. Richard Lucas may be contacted at rblucas17@gmail.com.

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