NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Boys and Girls Club board has chosen to promote Lance Patterson to Skip Wilson's role with the agency, once Skip retires next month.
"Skip has been here from the beginning of the Boys and Girls Club and definitely has huge shoes to fill," Patterson said. "I hope that I can continue to carry that legacy that he's created. He has been such a mentor over the last 18 years that I've been there and I've really learned a lot from him. Probably the thing that I learned the most was, it's really about the people. Spending time to get to know the people, get to know who we're serving and who works for us and really focusing on people. When we do that, we see good things."
Wilson calls those who work for the club vision leaders. Patterson wants to see the vision continue to be led collaboratively with him in charge.
"I think that's why, Skip and I, we've worked so well together over the last 18 years is because I believe fully in that," Patterson said. "I don't have all the answers. I know that. I have to rely on the people that are around me to come up with those great ideas. Part of my role is to recognize a great idea and say, okay, let's do it."
Patterson serves on the USD 308 school board, but has recused himself to this point from any votes regarding the future of Avenue A school, which is where the club does its elementary programming, and the club would like to buy the building, if that makes sense for both sides.
"I think the most important piece is that we both remain strong, collaborative partners," Patterson said. "If the timeline on that needs to be pushed back a little bit, if it doesn't make sense at this point that there's a sale or a transition like that, the most important thing is that we can continue to work together to serve the kids and make sure that they have space that is adequate, safe and will fill the needs and be good for both the school and the Boys and Girls Club."
Wilson's last day is scheduled for August 25.