Joe Habina, our Director of Operations, is celebrating his 25th year with the Club this month! Joe ​oversees all Club operations and programs with a heavy focus on program development, ​implementation, staff development, supervision of staff, facilities, budget and so much more! ​Overall, he is a genuine leader, outstanding role model for youth, and a kid favorite around here.

Joe began his Club journey with us after graduating from UNC Charlotte in 1990 and returning to ​the area to teach Social Studies at Concord High School. During the summers of 1997-98, Joe ​worked summers at Camp Spencer before being brought on board full-time in 1999. Outside of ​the Club, Joe has spent time writing for the Charlotte Observer, and more recently the ​Independent Tribune. You can catch him at many local sporting events, as his main reporting ​focus is on high school sports.

Joe’s children, Elizabeth and Matthew, have also spent time at the Club and have followed ​in his footsteps of working with and mentoring youth.

“I am extremely proud of both Elizabeth and Matthew and the careers they have chosen: ​pediatric nurse and school teacher. Their specialty areas are comparably close to the ​mission of the Boys & Girls Club. Undoubtedly, the time they spent working at the Boys & ​Girls Club both influenced their career choices and provided them with some tools and skills ​they use in their daily work.”

The staff often know Joe by his attention to detail with ​impressive color coded excel spreadsheets, his lighthearted ​humor, and dad JOEkes. But more than anything, it’s how much ​he truly cares for our youth. Joe says his favorite part about the ​job has “always been witnessing the growth our kids display ​during the time they spend in our program and the impact our ​staff has on the kids’ lives. Sometimes the impact is over just a ​couple months but sometimes it lasts many years. The skills ​may range between the simplicity of a child learning how to tie ​his or her shoe to the complexity of a young adult whose outlook ​on life, education, self-importance, and service to others has ​matured.”

“Joe has been an outstanding leader, mentor, and advocate for ​thousands of kids and hundreds of staff members for decades at ​the club! He has worked tirelessly to create the most enjoyable ​and safe experience for youth in Cabarrus County. He cares so ​much about this place, the kids, and all of the employees. I ​always tell people that the best bosses are bosses who won’t ​ask anyone to do anything that they are not willing to do. Joe is ​definitely one of those bosses. It has been my honor to work for ​and with Joe Habina for over 14 years!”