LUKE MATTESON SELECTED AS BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF CARLSBAD’S
BOARD MEMBER OF THE YEAR

(Carlsbad, CA – February 20,  2007)  Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad recognized Luke Matteson as Board Member of the Year at its 7th Annual Super Star Recognition Dinner on January 25, 2007, which honored the Boys & Girls Clubs’ generous community and business leaders, dedicated volunteers, an active board of directors, and outstanding youth.

Luke Matteson is a man who embraces challenge.  When Greg Nelson invited him to be a member of Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad’s board of directors in 1986, Luke jumped at the opportunity.  He remembered his own Boys & Girls Club experience when he was a child, and he thought it would be a great way to enjoy camaraderie while doing some good for his community.  And looking back, even if he had known what he was getting into, he’d do it all again.

Twenty years ago, the Village Branch was in disrepair.  The Club had no reserve funding.  Oftentimes, payroll was met by passing a hat at board meetings.  The staff restrooms had shower curtains instead of doors because the doors kept falling off.  “The 1990s were lean years for the Club.  I made it my personal goal to turn things around before my six year tenure as board President was over,” Luke stated simply.  “We did it, too – with a $1 million remodel in 1999.  Today, the Club boasts a state-of-the-art computer lab, the facilities are well maintained, and the building is bursting with happy kids.  I’m proud of our accomplishments.”

Fast forward to the present, and Luke is still going strong.  He serves as Vice President of Finance (his “real” job is Executive Vice President at Temecula Valley Bank) and spearheads the Club’s capital campaign to build a new Clubhouse in Bressi Ranch.  What motivates Luke to give so much time and energy?  “At first, I joined to have fun and raise money for a great cause.  But then it became all about the kids.  I got to know a lot of the young Club members.  They’re the reason I’m still a part of the board twenty years later.  To be honest, I do it for selfish reasons – I feel I get so much more out of the experience than I could ever give.”

Come by the Village Branch, and you will often find Luke Matteson playing basketball or coaching youth team sports.  What touches Luke most is forming relationships with the children, watching them grow, hearing of their successes, and seeing them morph into productive contributors to their community.

Ron Sipiora, Chief Professional Officer of Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad, summed it up perfectly.  “Simply put, the Club would not be what it is today without Luke Matteson’s 20 years of dedicated service.  We are very grateful to him.”

Pictured (L to R):  Luke Matteson, Greg Nelson