By: Isabelle Puente

The Scouting America West Tennessee Area Council has named Stuart Williams their new Interim Scout Executive. The organization met Wednesday at Brooks Shaw’s Old Country Store to announce the news.

Williams is joining the West Tennessee Area Council with decades of experience. He’s worked in many different Scouts organizations including, Central North Carolina Council, Shenandoah Area Council, Cherokee Area Council and Gulf Ridge Council.

Throughout his career, Williams has developed a strong record in fiscal management, board development, staff leadership, membership growth, camp and program administration and building relationships across urban, suburban and rural communities. Williams is sure to bring great leadership and expertise to the West Tennessee Area Council.

The West Tennessee Area Council has been open since 1939 and is continuously growing. Tom Carson Jones has been in the scouts for 35 years. Jones recalled being in the scouts and later seeing his own son join scouts. When asked how he thinks scouts benefits younger generations, Jones said that one thing kids really learn is how to be leaders.

Jones said that they learn skills and lessons that they might not be able learn in school or anywhere else.

“It’s an opportunity to have some fun with some other people, from a kid’s stand point to tell them they’re (going to) learn leadership skills I don’t think that’s very appealing to them,” Jones said. “It’s appealing to the parents and so having a opportunity to be outdoors and be outdoors with other people and learn to communicate with others, it’s a really great opportunity.”

If you have a child who would be interested in joining Scouts or know someone who might be interested in joining Scouts, you can find more information at https://www.westtnscouts.org/

About Stuart Williams

Stuart Williams brings nearly three decades of nonprofit and community leadership experience, including decades in CEO-level Scouting leadership roles.

Throughout his career, Williams has developed a strong record in fiscal management, board development, staff leadership, membership growth, camp and program administration and building relationships across urban, suburban and rural communities.

Williams now brings that extensive Scouting and nonprofit leadership experience to the West Tennessee Council as Interim Scout Executive.

Previous work experience:

• Central North Carolina Council — Scout Executive/CEO – Served more than five years as the council’s chief executive, providing leadership in governance, fundraising, membership development, volunteer engagement and community partnerships.

• Following his tenure with the Central North Carolina Council, Williams founded Resilient Harvest Consulting LLC in North Carolina, providing leadership coaching, organizational strategy, governance, team development and culture-building services to businesses and nonprofit organizations.

• Shenandoah Area Council — Scout Executive/CEO – Led operations across nine counties in two states, serving more than 6,500 youth and 2,000 volunteers. During his tenure, the council saw significant growth in direct support, Friends of Scouting and product sales while raising more than $700,000 for camp and office improvements.

• Cherokee Area Council — Assistant Scout Executive/COO – Led field staff to exceed Friends of Scouting goals each year, helped increase fundraising by approximately 20% and oversaw more than $300,000 in camping revenue.

• Gulf Ridge Council – Began his professional Scouting career with the Gulf Ridge Council, building experience in field operations, membership development, volunteer engagement and community-based programming.

(PHOTO: Stuart Williams named Interim Scout Executive for Scouting America West Tennessee Area Council)