Boys & Girls Club director steps down

Charlie Smith, the executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of Lenoir County, is leaving Kinston for colder pastures.

Smith handed in his resignation Wednesday to club Board of Directors Chairman Jim Dobbins. His last day will be May 30.

Smith will run a club in northern Minnesota, working with children of the Objiwa tribe who live on a reservation there.

"It's a larger club and a bigger challenge," he said.

Smith has been director of the Lenoir County club since 2006.

"I hate to leave the kids. They're great," Smith said. "But making this move will also put be closer to where I want to retire to."

Smith will start the Minnesota job June 9.

Dobbins could not be reached for comment Thursday.

In a letter to club board members, Dobbins wrote the club will begin "immediately" making arrangements to name an interim executive director and hopes a permanent director will be hired "as soon as possible."

"I am sure you share my feelings of appreciation for Charlie's hard work and dedication to our club over the past two years," Dobbins wrote. "He has brought much energy and enthusiasm to this role and will greatly be missed."

Charlie Kraebel can be reached at (252) 559-1074 or ckraebel@freedomenc.com. Check out Charlie's blog at http://ckraebel.encblogs.com.