ATLANTA, January 22, 2008 – Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) has appointed Robert (Robbie) J. Bach, president of the Entertainment & Devices Division for Microsoft Corporation, as the organization’s new chairman-elect. Bach will succeed BGCA Chairman Rick Goings, chairman and CEO of Tupperware Brands Corporation, when his two-year term expires at the end of 2008.

“Robbie will be an outstanding chairman, leading an impressive board of remarkable individuals,” said Roxanne Spillett, BGCA president. “He is a highly-motivated executive who believes strongly in the mission of Boys & Girls Clubs, and has long championed the cause of providing hope and opportunity for America’s children.”

Bach brings a wealth of expertise to the assignment. He earned his bachelor's degree in economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his MBA from Stanford University. He joined Microsoft in 1988, holding positions of increasing responsibility and authority. His experience includes working in Europe as the manager of Business Operations; leading the marketing effort for Microsoft Office; and managing the global launches of Xbox and Xbox 360 in his dual role as Chief Xbox Officer and head of the Home and Entertainment group. Now, as president of the Microsoft Entertainment & Devices division, Bach oversees five main businesses for the company: Interactive Entertainment Business, home to the Xbox^® and Games for Windows^® gaming platforms; Mobile Communications Business, which develops and markets Windows Mobile software, services and applications; Music Business, developers of the Zune^® portable entertainment devices and services; Video Business, which includes Microsoft^® TV and eHome groups; and the Specialized Devices and Applications Business, which includes PC Hardware, Microsoft^® Surface, Mac Office, Microsoft^® Auto, and Windows Embedded software.

Bach currently chairs BGCA’s Marketing Committee, heading vital efforts to raise public awareness about the organization’s work. Under his leadership, BGCA has forged a pro bono partnership with renowned advertising agency McCann Worldgroup to develop a revitalized brand strategy, resulting in more than $1 million worth of professional services donated in 2007. The strategy includes a focus on successful Boys & Girls Clubs alumni, led by BGCA’s current national spokesperson, Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington.

In his position at Microsoft, Bach has been the driving force behind the company’s commitment to provide easy-to-use parental controls for a variety of products, including Xbox 360 and Windows Vista. This expertise is critical as BGCA continues its efforts to bring technology skills to every Club member, while making online safety a top priority.

Bach has also served with distinction on the board of Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue, Wash., including a term as chairman. This experience has given him a grassroots understanding of Clubs and their generation-changing impact, along with a high level of enthusiasm and insight in his national role.

“I am honored to lead a group of people who share a passion and dedication to helping today’s young people succeed in such an increasingly complex world,” said Bach. “After serving so many years in various volunteer capacities at the local and national level, I am a true believer in what Boys & Girls Clubs of America does to meaningfully impact the lives of our nation’s young people.”

When he assumes the role of chairman in 2009, Bach will lead a board of many other prominent representatives from the business, civic, academic and entertainment fields, including Thomas J. Falk, chairman and CEO, Kimberly-Clark Corporation; Ruth Fattori, executive vice president, Human Resources, Motorola, Inc.; Donald G. Fisher, chairman emeritus and founder, Gap, Inc.; baseball superstar Ken Griffey Jr.; Judge Glenda A. Hatchett, author and television personality; Daniel R. Hesse, president and CEO, Sprint Nextel; Edward T. Lewis, chairman and founder, Essence Magazine; Pedro Lichtinger, president, Worldwide Pharmaceutical Operations – Europe, Pfizer, Inc.; Rev. Edward A. Malloy, C.S.C, president emeritus, Notre Dame University; and Denzel Washington.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Boys & Girls Clubs of America comprises a national network of more than 4,000 neighborhood-based facilities annually serving some 4.8 million young people through Club membership and community outreach, in all 50 states and on U.S. military bases worldwide. Known as “The Positive Place for Kids,” the Clubs provide guidance-oriented character development programs on a daily basis for children 6-18 years old, conducted by a full-time professional staff. Key Boys & Girls Club programs emphasize leadership development, education and career exploration, financial literacy, health and life skills, the arts, sports, fitness and recreation, and family outreach. National headquarters are located in Atlanta.

BGCA's national technology program, Club Tech, was launched in 2000 with a $100 million commitment in software and support from Microsoft. Today, there are more than 2,400 state-of-the-art tech labs in Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide, where hundreds of thousands of young people are utilizing technology skills to realize their potential in academics and digital arts.

# # #

 

« Return to Press Releases