Administrator to become president and CEO.
In December, Boys Ranch’s loss will be a blessing for another children’s home in Texas.
Robert Marshall has been selected as the next president and CEO of Hendrick Home for Children in Abilene, Texas.
Marshall began with Boys Ranch as part of administration for Girlstown, USA, in 1999.
“I’ve been blessed in my life,” Marshall said. “While at Girlstown, we built the chapel. That was really a shining achievement. Then we built Johnson Cottage, which was a state-of-the-art transitional home.”
When Girlstown closed, Marshall and his family moved to Boys Ranch, where he was the administrator of residential communities.
Marshall catches up with friends during a football game at Boys Ranch.
He’s currently the vice president for operations for Boys Ranch.
Marshall was involved when Boys Ranch adopted the child relationship models advocated by Dr. Bruce Perry, Dr. Karyn B. Purvis and Dr. David R. Cross.
Marshall supervised as Anderson Home was transformed into a single-bedroom home on the same footprint at Boys Ranch.
“Ultimately, being part of the changes here are great,” Marshall said. “It’s wonderful to look back and think, man, we’ve come a long way.”
The whole of Boys Ranch, from staff to children, will miss Marshall, said Mark A. Strother, Boys Ranch interim president and CEO.
“It’s a testament to the good work we’re doing at Boys Ranch that other organizations are eager to hire our trusted employees,” Strother said. “On a personal note, I’ll miss Robert and his advice, but I’m happy to see other children’s facilities will benefit from his kindness and ability to see the big picture.”
The Hendrick system of care closely matches the Boys Ranch system, Marshall said.
“The philosophies of the programs are not that different in terms of wanting to focus on improving the kids’ overall wellbeing,” Marshall said. “They build it with relationships. I feel blessed at the opportunity, and I’m surely going to take everything I’ve learned and use it down there.”
