SHENANDOAH AREA COUNCIL - Key Persons

James Edward West (May 16, 1876 - May 15, 1948) was a lawyer and an advocate of children's rights, who became the first professional Executive Secretary, soon renamed Chief Scout Executive, of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), serving from 1911 to 1943. Upon his retirement from the BSA, West was given the title of Chief Scout. The highly organized national structure that West created was a key to the BSA's growth and reputation. He initially was not in favor of the Cub Scouting program for younger boys, feeling that its creation would take attention away from the main programs, Boy Scouts and Explorer Scouts for youths aged 11-17. He was convinced by the popularity of pilot programs in America that were similar to Wolf Cubs in England and Canada, and Cub Scouting was eventually introduced in 1930. After West retired as Chief Scout Executive, Dr. Elbert K. Fretwell succeeded him. Upon retirement, West was given the title of "Chief Scout" of the BSA, the same title that Seton had held. West served on the World Scout Committee of the World Organization of the Scout Movement from 1939 until 1947. International Scouting honored him with the Bronze Wolf Award. He lived in New Rochelle in Westchester County, New York, and is buried in Kensico Cemetery in nearby Valhalla.

James Imoh

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Member of the Executive Board

James Winkfield

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Member of the Council Officers Team
Member of the Executive Board
Council Treasurer / VP of Administration

Jared H. Truban

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Member of the Executive Board

Jason Stedman

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Member of the Council Officers Team
Member of the Executive Board
Council President

John Collins

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Potomac District Camping & Outdoor Chair

John Phillips

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Potomac District Training Chair
Powder Horn Course Director

John Truban

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Member of the Executive Board

Kate Carbaugh

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Member of the Executive Board

Lynne Seibert-Steptoe

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Member of the Executive Board

Marshall Hammer

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Member of the Executive Board

Matthew B. Cole

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Member of the Executive Board
Potomac District Commissioner
Potomac District Roundtable Commissioner

NRA Chief Range

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Safety Officer Instructor Training Course

NRA Rifle

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Instructor Training

NRA Shotgun

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Instructor Training

Penny Beatty

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Member of the Council Officers Team
Member of the Executive Board
VP of Membership

Peter L. Mulford

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Member of the Executive Board

R. Bergeron

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Member of the Executive Board

Rebecca Kneeland

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Potomac District Membership Chair

Reverend M. F. Petzold, Pastor

Reverend M. F. Petzold, Pastor of the Methodist Church of Williamsport, MD, was one of the first Scoutmasters in the county. A newspaper article from May 6, 1914 indicated the group did not have a unit number. Reverend Petzold was Scoutmaster until he left in 1916 to enter the U. S. Navy as Chaplain for the impending World War I. Captain George L. Fisher, who was connected with the Militia and National Guard, was another of the first Scoutmasters in Hagerstown, MD. C. I. Wolfinger was a Scoutmaster at Smithsburg, MD and Rev. James D. Webster was a Scoutmaster at Hancock, MD in the early days.