Dan Rosenson, Chairman of the Board, Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters Los Angeles, one of the most active and oldest social service agencies in Los Angeles, is pleased to announce Randy Schwab has been named the new President & Chief Executive Officer. Celebrating 96 years, JBBBSLA specializes in mentoring children through a variety of transformative, innovative and highly regarded programs and services, regardless of the family’s ability to pay.
“My goal at JBBBS,†says Schwab, “is to run the agency using business systems and practices, but we must recognize that positive outcomes aren’t just about revenue, but about how many children we can help, and what impact we can have upon their lives.†With an inclusive management style, he has already established his active fiscal management policy, and shown a deft outreach to board members, foundations and businesses in the community. “Furthermore,†asserts Schwab, “we as an agency, must look to partner with other organizations to utilize combined resources in order to serve children more efficiently. We must also expand our national alliance relationship with Big Brother Big Sisters of America to build additional corporate partnerships, and secure federal, state and local grants where available. “
Having extensive expertise in operations management, organizational development, strategic planning, program management and fundraising, Schwab is a natural fit for an agency as large as JBBBSLA and Camp Max Straus. With an annual operating budget of $4.3M, CFO Norm Lewis can testify to the formidable responsibility that rests on Schwab’s shoulders. “Between Camp Max Straus, JBBBSLA, and all of the agency’s assets and endowments, a lot is at stake.â€
As part of his fiscal management, the new CEO sees two areas that will affect the outcomes he desires. “The agency is utilizing new technologies to evaluate more accurately outcomes in its match support program, reach out to its base of supporters, and enable its work force to provide greater long-term efficiency without long-term personnel costs. We also look forward to marketing our camp facility to provide organizations, corporations, and schools a venue for retreats, outdoor education, and special events.†He views complete brand integration, social media, and a revised web presence as a means to allow JBBBSLA to maintain and grow the identity of the agency in order to further its programs and expand its ability to identify at-risk youth.
To fully understand the implications of the financial support required by an agency like JBBBSLA is to know the population it serves. Approximately 3000 children participate annually in a variety of programs, which includes one-to-one community-based matching/mentoring, Camp Max Straus, Witherbee Wilderness High Sierra backpacking, college scholarships, counselor-in-training program, weekend sports and arts mentoring, and school-based mentoring
While children come from various socio-economic backgrounds, over 90% of the children that attend Camp Max Straus live below the poverty level. Of those, 56% are Hispanic, and 21% are African American. A long term objective at JBBBSLA is to work toward improving the lives of children through our mentoring and camp programs. The agency hopes to make a significant impact on a child’s future by developing their sense of self- esteem, matching him or her with positive role models, and insuring they have long term social and financial support to achieve their educational and life goals. “What could matter more,†says Schwab, “than enriching the lives of children.â€
Mr. Schwab hopes to bring to JBBBSLA the same kind of change he brought during his 4 years as the Executive Director at Temple Isaiah, where membership rose from 750 to 1100 families, and school attendance rose from 665 to 950 during his tenure. He had entered a situation where the temple had significant debt and a lack of internal controls, but 4 years later was on a sound financial footing. This change was realized by enacting an annual campaign, changing the membership process, and working collaboratively with the board of trustees and volunteer chairs of numerous committees to insure that Temple Isaiah was striving for excellence in all departments. Mr. Schwab’s entrepreneurial spirit and business background provided the perfect backdrop. Prior to joining Temple Isaiah, he was the President of a retail, design and manufacturing business that he built from the ground up, establishing 1400 accounts and approximate revenue of $3M annually.
JBBBSLA, with offices at the Jewish Federation building, has 24 full time staff members, also has an additional office in Sherman Oaks, and operates Camp Max Straus a 112 acre camp facility in the Verdugo Hills above Glendale. JBBBSLA has a tremendously active Board, with over 60 dedicated members, some of whom were mentees or campers as children. Many are currently Big Brothers or have been in the past.
Randy Schwab is fully rooted in the Los Angeles community. Born in Santa Monica, he has lived here his whole life. He has two children, Jonathan and Andrew.
