TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 14, 2023 – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay announced today that Chris Letsos has been appointed the new chief executive officer of the organization. A search committee named by the board of directors led the effort.
Letsos has spent over twenty-five years in youth and community development. Most recently Letsos was the Family Well-Being Director for the SunCoast region with the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). In his role with DCF, Letsos served eleven counties in Southwest Florida, leading the re-organization of the region, focusing on building a robust community-based system of care and expanding the scope of work for community alliances in each county and circuit in the region.
“We feel so lucky to have someone like Chris leading our great organization,” said Tony Leavine, Board Chair, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay. “Chris has incredible passion for and personal connection with our cause. The future is bright with Chris as our leader.”
Prior to joining DCF, Letsos served as Founding Chief Executive Officer of the Knox Education Foundation where he led the newly formed non-profit, providing transformative innovation, student support, and community engagement for students in Knox County. In addition, Letsos spent almost fourteen years with the Boys & Girls Club of Tampa Bay, ultimately working his way up to president and CEO.
“I know first-hand the power of mentorship and how relationships change lives for the better. I am grateful for the opportunity to elevate the work of the BBBS team and eager and excited to see the continued impact we will have on our Littles, Bigs, their families and our communities throughout Tampa Bay,” said Chris Letsos, incoming CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay.
Letsos will begin his new job on Monday, February 13. Letsos earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and his master’s degree from the Florida State University. Chris and his wife Julie are the proud parents of two children, Anastasios and Amalia.
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay is part of the nation’s largest donor and volunteer-supported mentoring network and holds itself accountable for children in its program to achieve measurable outcomes, such as educational success, avoidance of risky behaviors, higher aspirations, greater confidence, and better relationships. Big Brothers Big Sisters provides children facing adversity – often of a single or low-income household or families where a parent is incarcerated or serving in the military – with strong and enduring, professionally-supported one-to-one mentoring relationships that defend the potential that exists in every child. Almost 2,100 children were served in Alachua, Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Marion, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Sumter counties in 2022. Amongst those served 85% received free/reduced lunch, 73% lived with a single parents or other caregiver and over 70% of the youth were children of color. For more information please visit www.bbbstampabay.org.