Conibear named to top regional post for Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio

Mike Conibear, a top youth development professional and mentor for more than 30 years, has been named the Lorain County regional director for Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio.

Conibear, who lives in Amherst, previously served as executive director of Boys & Girls Clubs of Lorain County, one of the four Clubs that merged in 2019 to form BGCNEO. In his new role, he will be responsible for developing individual, corporate and philanthropic relationships.

BGCNEO President and CEO Jeff Scott said Conibear will draw on strong civic ties.

“Mike Conibear has been an exceptional leader of youth in Lorain County and someone who is highly respected throughout the community,” Scott said. “For decades, Mike has shown community leaders and partners how to grow our Clubs responsibly and help the kids who need us most.”

Conibear, who was born in Detroit but grew up in Bowling Green, Ohio, holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Western Michigan University, where he was also a guard on the basketball team. He started his Boys & Girls Clubs career as a youth development professional in Toledo and later worked for four years as a staffer at Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana in Valparaiso.

When he became BGCLC’s executive director in 2000, the organization had one Club and a $50,000 budget. At the time of the 2019 merger, there were 19 Clubs in seven communities with a budget of more than $6 million.

Conibear has been active in the statewide Boys & Girls Clubs Area Council and Ohio Alliance, and he was an instrumental partner in the merger. Late last year, he also helped BGCNEO open its first Stark County Club at a site in Canton.

Conibear has three children, son Gavin, 25, and daughters Gretchen, 23, and Gwen, 16. He also has a granddaughter, Brynn.

Boys & Girls Clubs provide safe, fun places for kids ages 6-18 after school with an emphasis on academic success, healthy lifestyles and character development. Prior to a temporary shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, BGCNEO was operating 39 locations in five counties. Nine Clubs reopened June 15.