MOSES LAKE — The Boys and Girls Club of the Columbia Basin has hired Kim Pope of Samaritan Healthcare to be the club’s next chief professional officer.

“The board of directors and myself are confident that Pope is the right fit to help lead and guide our community at this time,” said Michael Chase, the club’s chief volunteer officer, in a press release.

“Pope has worked with the Moses Lake community through different leadership positions for the past nine years, and I have been witness of her positive relationship with our youth, helping them reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens.”

Pope, who is replacing outgoing club director Brant Mayo, has worked for Samaritan Healthcare since 2006, first as an assistant to the CEO and then as a coordinator in the development and communications office.

Mayo accepted the position as the new director of the Grant County Economic Development Council, a job he started earlier this month.

As chief professional officer, Pope will oversee the day-to-day running of the Boys and Girls Club and will report directly to the club’s board of directors.

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity of working with the staff, board, and kids of the Boys and Girls Club of the Columbia Basin,” Pope said in a statement. “I appreciate being selected to take on the challenge. It is exciting to be able to bring my ideas of partnerships and collaboration to club and community.”

The Boys and Girls Club of America is a national organization originally founded in the late 1950s as the Boys Club of America that provides after school programs for children and teenagers.

Charles H. Featherstone can be reached via email at countygvt@columbiabasinherald.com.