Pearce Director to Retire

Pearce Community Center Director Ben Alvarez will retire from Pearce April 30 after many years of service. The Pearce board of directors is hosting an open house for Alvarez on Saturday, April 22 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.

	Ben Alvarez

 

Alvarez was the original director of Pearce when it opened in 1990. He worked in unchartered territory as he developed programs, assigned tasks to large numbers of devoted volunteers, and managed the day-to-day operations of the facility. Despite the satisfaction he felt creating an organization that was universally accepted and supported throughout the community, he left in 1993 to return to work in the retail shoe business, his original profession.

 

After years of travel and time away from home, he was thrilled to return to Pearce in 2006 when the board asked him to come back and lead the Center again. Community involvement had always been his passion, and the position allowed him to grow the Center from a fledgling organization to the $1.3-million-dollar non-profit organization it is today, serving nearly 6,000 members. "Pearce has evolved from just a few pieces of exercise equipment to a fully equipped fitness and recreation center," says Alvarez. "We can compete with any national chain or local fitness facility. We offer all of the fitness industry programs and equipment, and a highly educated, certified, and experienced staff. And Pearce offers the best value in the state." In addition to fitness, Alvarez also led the development of the aquatics and youth programs and many annual special events.

 

With his strong background in retail sales, he has been very focused on customer service and satisfaction. "I am so proud that I have been able to be part of creating something that truly improves the quality of life for so many people in our community," said Alvarez.

 

"Ben is an ambassador and promoter of Pearce Community Center," says Ty Fennell, president of the Pearce Board of Directors. "He has been the constant, driving force behind Pearce's transition from a startup community center to an established organization, an organization whose purpose is to provide a safe, fun experience for people to feel better. Ben epitomizes that mission."

 

Through the years, Alvarez has served as a board member for many local organizations including the Community Needs Agency, Chillicothe Township United Way, Chillicothe Bible Church, Pearce Foundation, and the Chillicothe Chamber of Commerce. He served as president of the Chamber and the Rotary Club. He has served as a member of the Lions Club and the Mayor's Leadership Roundtable. Before he came to Pearce in 1990, he worked as the Chillicothe Economic Development Director.

Alvarez believes the change in leadership is coming at a good time. "Pearce is passing from its growth stage into a more mature cycle," he says. "This will require less of an entrepreneurial leadership style and more focus on maintaining viability far into the future through strong business and finance leadership."

"The upcoming years we face without Ben will be daunting as the shoes he leaves to be filled are big," says John Calhoun, member of the Pearce Board of Directors. "But because of the legacy he leaves behind, Pearce will continue to grow and thrive."

Ben and his wife Terri have two children: son Jeff of Chicago and daughter Cassie of New York. They plan to enjoy an extended vacation on the east coast, indulging their shared love of history visiting historic sites. They will then relocate to Arizona. 

The public is invited to the open house to honor and celebrate Alvarez and his long career of service.