ROCKFORD–August 29, 2003 - Bill Reilly, President of the Blackhawk Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America,
today made the following announcement:
Alan Anderson, Executive Director of the Rockford-based Blackhawk Area Council for 8 years and
Professional Scouter for 25 years has been promoted by the National Office of the Boy Scouts of America to
serve as the Director for a six-state area. The area includes councils in Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan,
and North and South Dakota.
“Alan’s detailed knowledge of the program, administrative abilities, and unquestioned dedication to the values
of Scouting have strongly contributed to the steady growth of our council,” said Bill Reilly, council President.
“During his eight years as Scout Executive, the calm guidance he provided to a growing number of volunteers
resulted in a 22% increase in the number of youth served with the valuable life skills and timeless values
of Scouting. The council has significantly strengthened its endowment, has embraced technological improvements,
and has reorganized to improve its reach to the disadvantaged youth of our communities.”
“I have been blessed, in my eight years in Blackhawk, to work with a truly outstanding group of officers,
board members, other volunteers and staff,” said Alan Anderson, an Eagle Scout himself. “We have accomplished
much together, for kids’ sake.”
The Blackhawk Area Council headquarters in Rockford serves the youth in Boone, Carroll, Jo Davies, Lee, McHenry,
Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside, and Winnebago counties in Illinois, and Grant, Green, and LaFayette counties in
Wisconsin. It serves over 15,000 youth through the volunteer services of 5,000 registered leaders and countless
volunteers and contributors. It operates two camps and a year-round program with a mission to build desirable
qualities of character, leadership, patriotism, and fitness for boys, young men, and young women.
The National Office regularly transfers its professional staff to ensure that the best practices of Scouting
are spread throughout the country. It has already initiated the process of assisting local Scout volunteer
leadership to select a new executive director from other experienced professionals from around the United States.