PRESS RELEASE – Treasure Coast, October 6, 2017
HIBISCUS CHILDREN’S CENTER BOARD ANNOUNCES CEO PAUL SEXTON’S RETIREMENT
The Hibiscus Children’s Center Board of Directors would like to share that Paul Sexton, CEO and President, has announced his retirement, to be effective at the end of this fiscal year, June 30, 2018. Paul joined Hibiscus Children’s Center two years ago under the Board mandate to hire a seasoned leader with proven executive, clinical and entrepreneurial experience who would transform the organization and catapult Hibiscus’ performance in terms of staff development, financial strength and community relations. Paul has accomplished this through his passion for our mission and his vision to merge social innovation with competitive business strategies. This has resulted in significant achievements for the organization and has made Hibiscus Children’s Center stronger than ever.
Paul has left his mark on Hibiscus Children’s Center. Under his leadership, our objectives have been to solidify and successfully deliver the programs he initiated during the past year. This progress coupled with the continuity gained through the strength of our existing staff assures that this momentum will continue and expand when Paul hands the reins to the new CEO. To that end, the Board has engaged an executive recruiting firm and has launched a national search process. Our objective is to hire the new CEO by spring to guarantee a smooth leadership transition. We will keep the community apprised of progress made throughout this search.
Paul has been an advocate for the well-being of our children, families and staff since day one. This has resulted in increased morale throughout the agency and a strong, revitalized leadership team that works together to affect change while expanding programs and services to improve the lives of abused children. The Hibiscus senior leadership team has been enhanced through structured management development processes, giving Hibiscus the latitude to aggressively pursue broader service offerings designed to give hope to Hibiscus children.
Building a strong leadership team, directing the financial turnaround and re-establishing Hibiscus’ credibility within the donor base and community are three standout accomplishments that underpin Hibiscus’ recent achievements. This past fiscal year, operating net income increased by over $1 million and all residential and clinical programs delivered strong year over year service and profitability gains. Paul’s leadership has resulted in considerable progress expanding programs; our service footprint in Saint Lucie, Okeechobee and Broward Counties; communications to donors; and the engagement of Hibiscus staff throughout the organization. The Graphic Design Impact Center (GDIC), the first major social innovation program at the Village, has been implemented; the comprehensive Shelter makeover and renovation project was initiated; and the operations of the Saint Lucie Sanctuary4Kids home and the Broward County Safe Place facility have commenced. Each of these reflects strong third-party validation and demonstrate the community’s confidence in Hibiscus’ leadership and operational excellence.
The Board thanks Paul for his dedication and service to improve the lives of abused children and looks forward to the progress we will make under Paul’s continued leadership this year.
