Class of 2017

2017 Georgia Hall of Fame

Brad Kyzer
Career Achievement - Board Volunteer
Boys & Girls Clubs of CSRA - Augusta, GA

Brad Kyzer began his time in The Movement while pursuing his Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture from the University of Georgia. At that time, he was a volunteer for the Boys & Girls Club of Athens, and this began his lifetime of service to young people. His career also included service to his Country as a U.S. Navy Navigator, retiring from the Naval Reserves as a Commander in 1986.  

As a State Farm agent, Mr. Kyzer established one of the most respected and recognized insurance agencies in Augusta. He also became a vital part of the local Boys & Girls Club Board and is still a crucial part of the Board. He is also a fabulous athlete, having completed too many Iron Man competitions to name.  

He became involved with the Boys & Girls Club as a mentor when his son played basketball at the Club. Stunned by the lack of men in the lives of these young boys, Mr. Kyzer quickly joined the Board. A major achievement, as a result of his leadership, was the opening of the Dogwood Terrace Unit in 1993. This was the first time in BGC CSRA history that a partnership was established between the Housing Authority and a local non-profit board to address inner-city poverty. He met with the boys at the Dogwood Terrace Club once a week and led a study of, then-Governor, Zell Miller’s book, Core Values. He also established the High Flyers Club, a monthly aviation club exclusive to Dogwood Terrace members, that allowed members to learn airplane basics and fly on a plane.  

Mr. Kyzer’s 29 years of service to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the CSRA has been a legacy of growth and adaptation. He has been a leader in the Boys & Girls Clubs of the CSRA’s expansion which now consists of eight Clubs across four counties. He played a role for the Club to open its doors to girls, initiated several fundraisers that have raised significant resources, and he was the first BGCA Jeremiah Milbank Society member. He has been a tireless advocate and investor in the youth who need us most.
William Slaughter
Career Achievement - Board Volunteer
Boys & Girls Clubs of North Georgia - Jasper, GA

William Slaughter has been a part of the Boys & Girls Club movement for some 30 years and has served on the board for three different organizations. Since 2006, when he sought out the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Georgia, he has made many contributions. Once he became a North Georgia Corporate Board Member he immediately started making plans to open a Club in Gilmer County. After recruiting a team of advisory council members, a community partnership was developed. The Club was opened in cooperation with the Ellijay Primary School October 2007 and became a fully chartered Boys & Girls Club by the end of the year.

As President of the Gilmer County Advisory Council in 2010 Mr. Slaughter was instrumental in acquiring space in the Gilmer County Civic Center and, at that time, formed a partnership with the Gilmer County Government. This new facility doubled the membership of the previous school site. He is currently leading the charge to design, raise funds, and ultimately construct a new teen center.

He truly believes in our mission and vision and the availability of Clubs in all areas. His passion and drive to do what is best for youth is visible by his reaching out to form new programs to ensure that all kids have access to our mission-driven program and services. The Boys & Girls Clubs of North Georgia is extremely grateful for his leadership.

Mr. Slaughter had many exceptional moments while serving in the Boys & Girls Club Movement. He was on the Ventura County Board in 1988, relocated to South Carolina in 1990 where he served on the Board of the Low Country and Hilton Head Island. He was the founder and President of the Bluffton Boys & Girls Club from 1996 to 2005, and he was instrumental in raising 3 million dollars to build a new facility in Bluffton, SC.
William J. Vereen
Career Achievement - 
Board Volunteer
Boys & Girls Clubs of Moultrie / Colquitt County - Moultrie, GA

Jerry Vereen has shown tremendous support for the Boys & Girls Club of Moultrie / Colquitt County and the community. He has always believed that the Club would be an investment in the future of young people and would assist in addressing the issues of poverty, crime, teen pregnancy, and high school dropouts. He has demonstrated his commitment to youth by supporting several youth serving agencies, like the Boy Scouts. Mr. Vereen has shown his support for or the Boys & Girls Club Movement through advocating and through financial commitment.  

Mr. Vereen was born in Moultrie where he attended elementary and middle school. For his high school years, he attended Culver Military Academy in Culver, Indiana and graduated in 1959. He graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology with a BS in Industrial Management and a U.S. Marine Corps Commission.  

Mr. Vereen currently serves on the Boys & Girls Clubs of Moultrie/Colquitt County Board as a Founding Member and Executive Board Member. He has previously served on the Board of Directors for over a dozen companies, industries, banks, and corporations.  

Mr. Vereen was instrumental in opening The Boys & Girls Club in Moultrie in 2009 in an old storefront. His foresight and leadership continues with a vision for a new, world-class facility and the beginning stages of a capital campaign to make this dream a reality.  

He has been the recipient of numerous honors during his involvement with the Boys & Girls Club Movement, to include the Silver Medallion Award, BGCA Jeremiah Milbank Society membership and the National Service to Youth Award. His commitment and dedication to the youth in the local community and throughout the State of Georgia is truly inspiring.  
Philip Wilheit, Sr.
Career Achievement - Board Volunteer
Boys & Girls Clubs of Hall County - Gainsville, GA

Philip Wilheit, Sr., is President of Wilheit Packaging, where he has worked for 50 years. Born in Charlotte, NC, he moved with his family to Gainesville in in 1949 and graduated from the University of the South, “Sewanee,” in 1966. His relationship with Boys & Girls Clubs began when the Gainesville-Hall County Boys Club (now Boys & Girls Clubs of Lanier) was formed in 1954 as he was a founding member of the Club.  As an adult, Mr. Wilheit became increasingly involved with the Club, and currently serves on the Advisory Board.

In 2003, Mr. Wilheit became extremely involved with the Clubs and this led to ultimately co-chairing a capital campaign in 2004 that raised almost $4 million to build two new Club sites as well as renovating the original Positive Place Club.  He was able to secure cabinet members who could provide leadership gifts and help link the organization to major gift prospects.  He. and his wife, Mary Hart, received numerous awards including the Helping Hands Award and he has been a part of BGCA’s Jeremiah Milbank Society seven times. Mr. Wilheit is extremely interested in the education of our youth and is very supportive of any efforts to ensure young people succeed in school, graduate on time and are prepared for higher education. He continues to identify key leaders and strategic thinkers within the community and across the State to help garner the support needed to expand educational resources for young people. 

As a true believer in serving others, he has been involved with numerous economic, historical and Chamber of Commerce committees. Mr. Wilheit currently serves on the University System of Georgia Board of Regents, Brenau University Board of Trustees, and on the Gainesville Hall Development Authority. Additionally, he has chaired all seventeen of Governor Deal’s election campaigns.

Boys & Girls Clubs are fortunate to have leaders like Philip Wilheit, Sr. who believe that the best way to make a lasting contribution to our community is by investing in our young people today. The investment of his time, energy, and leadership abilities will impact local youth for years to come.

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