By Amy Rowley
I have tried to start this article at least ten different times. I want to describe Joe Ingoglia’s infectious smile, his outstanding leadership style, and his outward passion for Thurston County kids. After nine years at the helm of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County (BGCTC), Joe is moving on to a position within the national organization. I want to capture his impact on the community and how he has made lives better for kids. I want to show people that Joe led a non-profit organization that is a model in our community. No matter what analogy I think fits Joe, my words seem to fall short. I’ll let others do the talking for me.
“Joe’s commitment to kids in our community shows up every day. You can see the impact on the community by watching the kids in action at one of the clubs,” describes board member and Washington Business Bank Vice President, Sam Bovard.
“The growth and success of Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County is a direct reflection of Joe’s exceptional leadership and compassion for youth in our community,” says Christie Agtarap, current board president of the organization. “Joe has made such a positive difference in the community.”
Joe began working with Boys & Girls Clubs as a civilian at US Air Force bases. His career began in Guam and then he transferred to Germany. When Joe and his wife, Erin, were ready to return to the states, Joe was hired as a branch director for a club in Bellingham. Despite these different moves, Joe hasn’t lost his New York accent.
In April 2006, Joe was hired for the Executive Director position at Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County. The Lacey branch had just opened, joining the Tumwater and Rochester branches. Joe was to spearhead a growing team. Steve Boone, one of the original BGCTC board members responsible for hiring Joe, says that the club was quite small when Joe joined. “BGCTC is a much better place because of Joe’s leadership,” says Steve.
“I have had the great fortune to live in a lot of different places and Olympia is truly amazing,” says Joe. “People believe in taking care of kids as a community value and it’s part of why I’m thrilled to not be moving.” Joe will be basing his new Boys & Girls Clubs job out of Olympia, traveling throughout nine western states to advise metro clubs.
“I believe that for an organization to grow long-term, you need a variety of leadership,” explains Joe when asked about moving on to his new position. “The organization is ready for a new leader to take the clubs to new heights.”
The new leader will be Katya Miltimore who has worked for BGCTC since February 2014. “I joined BGCTC in part due to the fact that Joe had an excellent reputation in the non-profit community as a leader, mentor and great boss. He is fantastic at building light-hearted and yet extremely productive relationships with his staff,” shares Katya. “I am inheriting an organization with an incredible work culture and dedication to success, amongst both our employees and board members.”
Joe notes that during his tenure he has focused on developing people within the organization. “Joe trusted in my leadership ability and gave me many opportunities to grow,” comments Lacey Branch Director, Shellica Trevino. Shellica remembers that when she was promoted to this position, she questioned whether she could do the job. “He encouraged and uplifted me and assured me he would be there to guide me along the way.
“I have worked very hard to bring up great staff members. We all grew together,” Joe says.
“I’ve always felt like Joe had my back,” adds Mike Babauta, Olympia Branch Director for BGCTC. “He has always been very supportive of us seeking opportunities to be better leaders through trainings, building community relationships and simply empowering us to lead our clubs.”
Supporters and small business owners Kiley and Voshte Gustafson rave about Joe as well. “Joe is a tireless leader that puts his heart and soul into his staff and the kids he works with. He always brings things into perspective from a positive angle,” say the Color Graphics owners.
Lori Drummond, longtime BGCTC supporter and CEO of Olympia Federal Savings, shares, “Joe has inspired his team to great heights in service to kids. He has been a positive force in mentoring all his administrative team, club personnel, volunteers and most importantly, the kids.”
The slogan “it’s always about the kids” could have been my opener. I ask Joe about his biggest accomplishment leading BGCTC. “It’s always about the kids. We have served thousands of kids over the past nine years and that’s simply wonderful,” he says with a smile.
“Joe knows that every child can be great and he has inspired an entire community to believe it, too,” reflects Patty Belmonte, Executive Director, Hands On Children’s Museum.
“I’ll never forget standing next to Joe while we watched a Comcast Digital Connector video that had been filmed about the agonies of being a young woman tortured by body images. Both Joe and I were nearly in tears,” recalls Comcast’s Walter Neary. “I remember Joe simultaneously showing pride for the young lady and how she had found expression through video. He’s a deeply caring person and that’s at the core of his success.”
“I’m grateful to the Olympia community for how they embrace kids,” summarizes Joe. “Everyone takes the long look that what we do for kids today will benefit all of us in the long term. We have the most special group of people supporting kids — they are all there for the right reasons, and that’s simply amazing.”
Celebrate Joe’s support of the community at a goodbye party on April 29 at 6:00 p.m. at Indian Summer Golf and Country Club. RSVP to Kristel at kpaet@bgctc.org or call 360.956.0755. To learn more about the Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County’s mission to support local youth, click here.
