Jacqueline Rains-Turk

Ventura, California, October 7, 2009 The Board of Directors of Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast (GSCCC) today announced that Jacqueline Rains-Turk (Jax) has assumed the position of Chief Executive Officer. Reporting to the council’s Board of Directors, Ms. Rains-Turk will serve as an ambassador of Girl Scouting throughout the six-county council and will lead all executive activities including strategic planning, financial management, fund development, human resources, volunteer relations, program delivery, and communications.

“I am honored to be given this responsibility, and very excited to have the opportunity to work with Girl Scout volunteers and members throughout the central coast,” said Jax Rains-Turk. “With leadership development as my life’s work, I truly look forward to contributing to the council goal which is to eventually bring the Girl Scout Leadership Experience to every girl who wants to participate.”

Ms. Rains-Turk officially took the position on September 16, 2009. Ms. Rains-Turk most recently served as owner and organizational development consultant of Swanmaker, Inc., based in Newbury Park, California where she consulted with Fortune 500 companies, and entrepreneurial start-ups. In addition, she has held several executive positions with leading healthcare, entertainment, consulting, and youth development organizations including: WellPoint, Sony Pictures, Accenture, and has served as President of the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County.

“The council is committed to leveraging current momentum to serve 19,000 girls within the next five years,” Rains-Turk continued. “Several strategic initiatives will enable this growth from new online membership registration systems, to flexible pathways for both girls and adult volunteers to participate in Girl Scout programming, to a new contemporary brand image – in anticipation of the Girl Scouts 100th Anniversary in 2012 – which honors the fun traditions of cookies, crafts, and camping, while elevating what has always been at the very core of Girl Scouting: leadership development and community service.”

“Jax is a senior management executive with extensive background in organizational development and change management in both corporate and non-profit sectors,” said Mariann Novarina, GSCCC Board Chairperson. “Jax’s special expertise in integration and values-based leadership is the right formula at the right time for building a high capacity council to serve girls.”

Ms. Rains-Turk takes the helm from Sharon Reece who announced her retirement as CEO last summer. Ms. Rains-Turk currently resides in Newbury Park with her husband, Jeff, and two daughters. Her office is based in Ventura with extensive travel planned throughout the council to partner with volunteers, members, and community organizations.

About Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast
Girl Scouts of California's Central Coast serves a diverse mix of communities with over 12,000 girls, 6,000 dedicated adult members, and 48 staff. The council’s jurisdiction spans nearly 400 miles of California’s majestic central coast, bountiful agricultural regions, as well as industry corridors encompassing the counties of Santa Cruz, San Benito, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura. www.girlscoutsccc.org.

About Girl Scouts
Girl Scouts is the world’s preeminent leadership development organization for girls— dedicated to helping build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Girls participate in an accepting and nurturing environment, and in partnership with committed adult volunteers, to develop strong values, leadership skills, social conscience, and conviction about their own potential and self-worth that will serve them all their lives.