AMERICUS — The board of directors of the Boys & Girls Club of Americus/Sumter County Inc. has hired a new CEO, Robert Eric West.
West, a native of Montezuma, is the son of the late Robert and Thelma West. He is a 1974 graduate of Macon County High School where he served as senior class president, and was a member of the Key Club, 4-H Club, Beta Club and captain of the Macon County High basketball team.
He furthered his education by attending Mercer University in Macon, where he received a bachelor of arts degree in sociology and health & physical education. He later received an associate’s degree in mortuary science from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Atlanta. He is currently the president and CEO of West’s Mortuary Inc., and owner of West’s Limousine Service Inc.
Along with managing the businesses he owns, West has been the program director of Second Street Boys Club in Macon, and unit director for the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Boys and Girls Club in Plains. He has planned and coordinated recreational activities for the kids in Macon and Americus, recruited and supervised administrative and recreational staff, and maintained all program equipment and supplies. He has also represented the Boys and Girls Club in several communities, including building a professional and positive image for the Club ensuring that all activities, programs, staff and members were in compliance with The Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s guidelines.
West has also initiated, developed and sponsored several fund raising events and  activities for youth and adults for many years. He coached recreation basketball in Sumter County Parks & Recreation for four years with two championships and two second-place finishes. He has been the top fund raiser for the American Cancer Society in Macon County for four consecutive years (2012-2016). In 2013, West was selected as the top fund raiser for MDA in Sumter County.
West’s memberships and affiliations include New Hope Baptist Church; Americus Sumter County Chamber of Commerce; Georgia Funeral Service Practitioners’ Association where he was recently elected Mortician of the Year for the 3rd District; Sumter Diversified Investments Group; G.W.F. Phillips Elks Lodge No. 691; St. Johns Masonic Lodge No. 17; NAACP; and the Boys & Girls Club of Americus/Sumter County Inc., among other civic and social organizations.