Deana Haworth to serve as first female board chair of Crossroads of America Council, BSA

Serving more than 16,000 Hoosier youth, Crossroads of America Council, BSA oversees Scouting programs across 26 counties in central Indiana

Crossroads of America Council, BSA made history yesterday with the election of Deana Haworth as its first female board chair.

“Scouting creates opportunities for young people while preparing them for success later in life. With a mission this critical, it is imperative that strategic guidance comes from well-equipped leadership in the organization, and that is why I am excited that Deana is at the helm of the Crossroads of America Council,” said Rafael Sanchez, executive vice president, chief impact officer and Indianapolis market president of Old National Bank. Sanchez served as Crossroads of America Council board chair from 2022-2023.

“It is a privilege to lead such an impactful organization,” Haworth said. “As we grow Scouting in central Indiana, we will ensure equitable opportunities for all youth, regardless of ZIP code, and further increase the number of young women in our local troops. I am committed to inclusivity so that as many young people as possible may benefit from the character development and passion for community service that Scouting instills.”

Haworth is the chief executive officer of Hirons, an Indianapolis-based advertising, public relations and digital communication firm. She earned her Accreditation in Public Relations from the Public Relations Society of America and routinely donates her time to leadership organizations, nonprofits and chambers of commerce throughout central Indiana. Haworth was named a 2018 Woman of Influence by the Indianapolis Business Journal. She has a master’s degree in public relations from Ball State University and a bachelor’s degree from Franklin College.

Haworth is joined in her board leadership role by Chuck Fippen, vice president, commercial relationship manager at First Internet Bank, who serves as commissioner of the board.

“My love of Scouting began many years ago as a Cub Scout, and I am honored to serve in this way,” Fippen said. “Volunteerism is at the core of Scouting. As I serve alongside the many volunteers who make Scouting in central Indiana possible, we will further strengthen and grow the organization while training the next generation of leaders.”

The Crossroads of America Council’s board elected the following individuals to the executive committee alongside Haworth and Fippen: Charles T. Hiltunen III (council board chair-elect), Rafael A. Sanchez (past council board chair), Thomas E. Vanneman (treasurer), David R. Cobb (council administration chair), Gary W. Hobbs (council DEI chair), Matthew Prine (council development chair), Matthew K. Chase (council district operations chair), Edward A. Pease (assistant chair district operations west), Joseph P. Wehrheim (assistant chair district operations east), Aimee Hulskotter (assistant chair district operations central), Shannon Stahley (council marketing chair), Shannon Williams (council membership chair), Anthony R. Jost (council program chair), N. Anthony Steinhardt III (council properties chair), Timothy D. George (council strategic plan chair), Kevin P. Speer (council member at large), John R. Wiebke (council member at large) and Joseph E. Wiltrout (Scout executive/corporate secretary).

The Crossroads of America Council also welcomed new board members Tammy Butler Robinson (Engaging Solutions); Akilah Darden (The Darden Group LLC); Judge Kurt M. Eisgruber (Marion County Superior Court); Nick Goodwin (Indiana Health Care Association); Aimee Hulskotter (Samsun Mechanical Inc.); Chris Jeter (Massillamany Jeter & Carson LLP); George Pontones (Rolls Royce); and David Sims (Elevance Health). To view all board members, visit https://www.crossroadsbsa.org/about/our-leadership/.