By Richard Kaufman
Sentinel Reporter
Even though Bobby Walker Jr. has known since January that he needed to pack up his office at the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich (BGCG), he delayed doing so until Monday night. He had hoped to continue on Tuesday afternoon, as June 30 marked his final day as CEO of the Club, but he was interrupted around lunch time and told to come outside.
Walker came outside to the turf field, and was met by applause from his family, Club staff and campers. First Selectman, Fred Camillo, issued a surprise proclamation to Walker, declaring June 30 as “Bobby Walker Jr. Day in the Town of Greenwich” to honor his years of service to the Club and the community.
“This is not what I was expecting. I thought I’d be packing up my office right now. I think I’m really at a loss for words,” Walker said to everyone in attendance. “I was sort of dreading this day. It’s hard to see what’s going on behind this mask. I wish you could see the big smile on my face.”
Walker announced earlier this year that he was leaving the Club to become the Assistant Head of Student and Community Life at Greenwich Academy, where his wife, Becky, is the Head of the middle school.
Before coming to the BGCG, Walker served for nine years as head of the middle school at King School in Stamford, and was a teacher and dean of middle school students at McDonogh School, a school in the Baltimore area. He began his teaching career at his alma mater, St. Mark’s School in Dallas, Texas, where he taught U.S. history, language arts and life skills, and became the assistant head of the middle school.
During his tenure with the Boys & Girls Club, Walker expanded its Academic Success programs, created the Youth of the Year Dinner, established the Friday Night Teen programs and increased the popularity of the “Muddy Up 5K” fundraising event.
Camillo, a former Club Kid, called Walker “one of his favorite people” in town.
“The last five years you’ve done great work here, and while we’re going to miss you in this role, we’re really happy you’re still going to be involved,” Camillo said, noting that Walker will join the Club’s Advisory Board.
“We really owe a big debt of gratitude to Bobby Walker’s family for letting us have him for the last five or six years,” said BGCG Board Chair, George Fox. “I also speak for all of you kids, in telling Bobby how much we love him and how much we appreciate the time he gave to us.”
Walker called the BGCG a “special place” to work. His most impactful memory at the Club came in 2015 when he was interviewing finalists for theYouth of the Year Award.
When asked to briefly describe the Club, six of the seven finalists, who hadn’t spoken to each other, called it their “second home” or “family.” Walker was blown away by the responses.
“That’s when I realized how special this place is. It’s so much more than an after school experience. It’s just as important in a kid’s upbringing as having dinner at their aunt’s house, or visiting grandma or talking with their brothers and sisters. That’s when it really hit me about what this club is about,” Walker added.
Walker believes he’ll be able to take what he’s learned at the BGCG into his new job at GA. He hopes to get students involved in the Club who might not have been involved otherwise.
“The Club is such a big part of the community. I think I’ll be able to take those community connections into the next job,” he said. “I think I’ll take a lot with me.”
Walker’s wife, Becky, his two daughters, Mallory and Maya, and his son, Miles, surprised him at the Club on Tuesday for the proclamation announcement. He thanked them for their support over the years.
“I’ve spent a lot of time here. I’ve worked eight hour days, I’ve worked 14 hour days, and you miss some things at home. Through it all they’ve understood, and they’ve supported me through everything,” Walker said.
Walker said it was hard driving into the Club on Tuesday, knowing it was the last time he was doing so as the CEO.
“I’m going to miss you guys. I hope you know that,” Walker said. “This doesn’t mean that I won’t stop being a good friend and supporter of the Club.”
Cristina Vittoria, who previously directed the organization’s fundraising and marketing efforts, was named the new CEO earlier this month and will begin her new role on July 1.
