Last week, Michael S. Regan, US EPA Administrator, and Goldsboro native was welcomed into Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Alumni Hall of Fame.

Regan joined Wayne County Boys & Girls Club in North Carolina at 10 years old, joining his siblings in the newfound freedom to explore their interests. Drawn to arts and crafts, Regan remembers how secure he felt at the Club as well as the incredibly diverse backgrounds of both the kids and the staff, who gave members trusted adults to rely on for advice, from social situations to life after high school. 

“My Club exposed me to so many positive things that I would have otherwise never experienced,” Regan said. “The atmosphere was so welcoming and open that I felt I could try and accomplish anything I set my mind to.”

The Club gave Regan a safe environment to grow up in, and he is dedicated to doing the same for kids and teens today. In 2021, he became the first Black man and the second person of color to lead the United States Environmental Protection Agency as its 16th administrator. In this role, he offers meaningful support and solutions to communities most impacted by environmental concerns by working to establish the EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights. 

Regan is proud to lead where Boys & Girls Clubs and the EPA align in their mission – providing youth with safe, clean, healthy environments where they can thrive. 

“It’s a true honor to induct Michael Regan into our Alumni Hall of Fame, alongside this exceptional group of leaders and top industry professionals,” said Jim Clark, President & CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “We believe the sky’s the limit for all Club youth, and there is no greater proof than the individuals we’re privileged to have in our Boys & Girls Clubs Alumni family. We hope the inductees’ remarkable stories, Club experiences, and personal and professional accomplishments inspire youth to believe that any goal is within reach.”