New CEO for Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana

The board of directors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana has selected Mike Jessen as the organization’s next president and CEO, according to our partners at The Times of Northwest Indiana. Jessen currently serves as city administrator in Valparaiso and a member of the Porter County Council.

Jessen says he will step down from both positions before assuming his new role on May 1. He has served as city administrator since 2020 and was elected to the council in 2014.

“I’m going to have a phenomenal amount to learn,” Jessen told The Times. “This is the absolute picture-perfect, dream career for me. It couldn’t be any more perfect.”

Jessen was selected following a national search for a new CEO.

“Mike was chosen because he brings with him years of leadership experience and a commitment to make communities stronger,” Board Chairman Matt Glaros said in written remarks. “We look forward to what he can do for the youth of Northwest Indiana and our clubs.”

Jessen succeeds Ryan Smiley, who resigned from the position in November after being arrested for operating while intoxicated and reckless driving.

The Times reports Bill Oeding will take over the position of city administrator in Valparaiso. He previously held the role for 11 years under former Mayor Jon Costas’ administration.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana oversee 10 facilities in the region. The Gary branch is about to get a major addition with the $20 million Tolleston Opportunity Campus, which will add 50,000 square feet to provide spaces and programming focused on youth development, healthy families, healthy communities and economic and workforce development.