Mike grew up in Bethel, CT, and was a standout football and baseball player at Bethel High School in the mid to late 90s. Mike joined the Boys & Girls Club of Ridgefield in 2002 as an Intern, while completing his senior year at Southern Connecticut State University. Mike holds a degree in Community Recreation Management (BS Recreation, Southern CT 2002) along with a minor in Psychology. While attending Southern, Mike was also a member of the baseball team.
Mike has grown with the Boys & Girls Club of Ridgefield from a Program Coordinator to Program Director to being named Director of Operations in 2006, just prior to the Club’s expansion, and after a decade of caring for our members, and organizing floor hockey, homework help, wiffle ball, and community service, Mike was named Executive Director in February 2014. Mike also served as the Club’s Interim Executive Director for a five month period in 2010. Mike is responsible for staffing and operation oversight, as well as working with the Board of Directors to manage the Club's finances and fundraising efforts. Mike is the face of the Boys & Girls Club in the community and plans to continue to lead the Club to new heights. Mike has a clear vision and strategic plan for the Club and works tirelessly to make sure the Club continues to establish itself as the leader in school aged youth services in the area.
In October of 2012, Mike was honored by Boys & Girls Clubs of America for a decade of outstanding service to youth in our community and beyond. And, was again honored in 2017, by BGCA, for 15 years of dedicated service. Mike is a graduate of Boys & Girls Club Leadership University & the Michigan Ross School of Business Advanced Leadership Program (2009), He was certified by Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Professional Academy as a Youth Development Professional in 2008.
During his career, his effort to develop all of the Club’s programs has been instrumental in the growth of memberships. The Middle School and High School programs, Torch Club and Keystone Club, that Mike started fifteen years ago, are now flourishing. Mike never forgets a name or a face and is able to connect with every member who walks through the door.
During Mike's tenure as Executive Director thus far, the Club has been recognized for 5 National Awards from Boys & Girls Clubs of America: 2015 National Honor Award for Best Overall Program, 2016 National Merit Award for Program Excellence in Character & Leadership Development, 2017 National Merit Award for Program Excellence in the Arts, 2018 National Merit Award for Program Excellence in Health & Life Skills, and 2019 National Honor Award for Best Character & Leadership programming in the Nation. Mike has also lead the Club through extreme growth and the Club has been presented the Gateway to Impact Award from BGCA for an astonishing seven consecutive years (2013-2019). This award is given to Clubs who grow their youth memberships by at least 25% from prior year.
Mike has guided the Boys & Girls Club of Ridgefield to be widely regarded as one of the top Boys & Girls Clubs in the country. He has been able to hire and retain one of the top Youth Development Professionals Staffs throughout the Boys & Girls Club movement and has worked hard with the Board of Directors, as well as the Club's leadership team, to put the Club in very healthy financial standing.
Above all Mike truly cares for each child that enters the Boys & Girls Club and aims to make a positive impact on each one of their lives. Mike currently resides in Bethel with his wife, Kristin, and their two sons, Declan and Nolan and black lab, Bronxy.
Current Club members and Alumni speak on the Impact Mike has had on them throughout their years at the Boys & Girls Club. Mr. Flynn celebrated 10 years with the Boys & Girls Club of Ridgefield in 2012.