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  • Meet Our Team
  • A former educator, Damon has served in the non-profit arena for over fifteen years, with the last ten being in executive leadership roles. As a youth, Damon grew up in his local Boys & Girls Club playing basketball, and has a passion for the Club’s mission. Damon thrives on collaborative work, creating a sense of family, and working collectively to find innovative approaches to address community needs. An advocate for individuals of all abilities, Damon currently serves on the Board of Directors for Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities. Damon and his wife, Samantha, reside in Monroe with their four children.

  • Stemming from her background in higher education advancement and nonprofit management, McKenzie is an innovative leader who excels at building meaningful relationships and creating impactful programming. Before joining the Boys & Girls Club team, McKenzie worked in Alumni Relations at the University of Cincinnati and her alma mater, the University of Dayton. She is also a previous Branch Director with the Boys & Girls Club of St. Joseph County, located in northern Indiana. McKenzie loves to be active and outdoors with her family and Labrador pup, Quinn.

  • Yiren graduated from the University of Kentucky with an honorary Degree in Master of Clinical Social Work, a Bachelor Degree in Sociology and two minors. Yiren believes that healthy and positive intervention at one’s early stage of life is crucial to being successful in one’s adult life. Person-centered and relationship-based care are Yiren's driving forces contributing to how she serves youth to reach their full capability of becoming an empowered, eager-to-learn, and accountable citizen within the community.

  • Emma started with the Boys and Girls Club as a Youth Development Professional and fell in love with the mission of our organization. Emma is extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve our members and help guide them. Emma believes children are the key to our future, waiting to unlock doors of limitless opportunities that lie ahead of them, and that it is our job to guide them towards those doors. Her personal goal is to help guide youth into early adulthood and maintain a safe and positive environment here at the Club. Emma has two rescue dogs named Bones and Gracie, and enjoys volunteering at the Warren County Humane Society in her free time.

  • Maci is a fourth year undergraduate at Miami University studying Social Work, Marketing, and Communications. Maci recognizes the importance of building relationships with each member and strives to help them find their voice and individuality. Maci appreciates getting to engage with staff, volunteers, and members in different activities and programs. Additionally, Maci looks forward to the continued opportunity to be involved in all aspects of the Club and promote further success!

  • Patti Alderson, Founder
    Patti Alderson, Founder

    A long-time resident of West Chester/Liberty, Patti has been instrumental in developing the philanthropic arm of the community. Patti led the effort to open the original Club in 2014, and with the support of Lakota Schools and many generous people who saw the need for a larger facility, Patti was able to raise the funds and open the doors to the current Club facility on January 4, 2018. She loves being at the Club and says just being with the kids makes it all worthwhile.

Contact Info

CEO Damon Knoche dknoche@bgcwcl.org
Director of Business Services Kim Tepe ktepe@bgcwcl.org
Director of Academics Yiren Xiao yxiao@bgcwcl.org
Program Coordinator, Elementary Emma McGehee emcgehee@bgcwcl.org
Communications Coordinator Maci Minarcik mminarcik@bgcwcl.org

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