It Takes Two. Lenna Baxter, CEO retiring after 25 Years of Service

May 05, 2010

Lenna and Ed Baxter are synonymous with Boysville.  A husband and wife team, married over 43 years, the Baxter’s have led Boysville through a cycle of good times and bad times, all while remaining true to the mission of helping children in need. 

Lenna J. Baxter

Originally from Oklahoma, Lenna holds a bachelor in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s degree in Child Development and Child Psychology.  After graduate school, Lenna was an instructor at Oklahoma State University and Eastfield Community College in Dallas.  During the years when Ed’s career and the young family were growing, Lenna had part time teaching positions at Incarnate Word College, San Antonio College and Shreiner College in Kerrville. 

Lenna began her work with children at the Children’s Shelter as Director of Children Services where she supervised the Holmgreen Children’s Shelter.

“When I first went to the Children’s Shelter, it was a total culture shock,” said Lenna.  “I was familiar with college students and neighborhood children so working with abused and neglected children was overwhelming.”

In 1985, she accepted the Director of Children’s Services position at Boysville. 

“I knew that this opportunity was a gift,” said Lenna, emotionally.  “Everything I had done prior to Boysville had prepared me for this moment.  I was taken over by its mission.

“This has never been a job for me. It’s been an intrinsic part of what I do.”

In 1997, she was promoted as Executive Director for Boysville.  In an industry experiencing extreme changes in types of services and funding, Lenna’s perseverance has enabled the organization to expand the continuum of care as well as serving children of all ages who are at risk.  Always, Lenna has continued to keep the best interests of the children she cares for at the forefront.  

Although the work can be rewarding, it is not easy.  Lenna said several times she just wanted to give up and leave but if she would have done that, “who would be there to protect the children,”

Ed Baxter

Ed’s story is not unlike many of the children who live at Boysville.  At the age of six, Ed was sent to live at the Whitaker State Orphanage in Pryor, Oklahoma.  He remained at the orphanage until he was 12 years old.  After a brief reunification attempt with his mother, he was sent to the Tulsa Boys Home where he remained until 9^th grade.

Always the independent one, Ed left the home and moved into a small trailer.  He worked various jobs to support himself while attending high school.  He knew that education was the key to his success. 

What he didn’t know was that his good friend in high school, Lenna Wesson, would eventually become his wife. 

After graduating high school, Ed joined the army and served his country from 1963 to 1966.  He returned to Oklahoma and became a student in the college of business at Oklahoma State University.  Ed and Lenna were married in January 1967.

Ed received his degree in Accounting from Oklahoma State University in 1970 and began a career in public accounting with Arthur Young and Company which took him from Oklahoma to Dallas and finally to San Antonio.  Ed made a career change in 1983 and while working for Trinity University managing the Northup Trust, honed his skills in planned giving. 

At the invitation of Dr. Norman Charlton, former Executive Director of Boysville, Ed came and helped establish a planned giving program.  When Lenna was promoted, the Board promoted Ed to Director of Development and Finance.

“Our working relationship is much like our marriage,” said Ed, jokingly.  “I bring in the money and Lenna spends it.”

Now serving as the Chief Financial Officer, Ed oversees the budget and business operations for Boysville. 

Working Together

Together they manage a budget of $5.3 million dollars.  Over seventy-five percent of that money is raised through donations.  Together they work to help the children of Boysville and South Texas.  Lenna looks to the community and sees the needs of children and families and with Ed’s help finds a way to meet those needs.  The ultimate goal for the children is a successful reunification with their family.  When that goal cannot be achieved, Boysville becomes their family for as long as is needed.

The Baxter’s together are a charitable couple.  They established scholarships at Health Careers High School and Boerne High School in honor of their son, Stuart, who was killed in a car accident in 1988.  In the past 22 years, the scholarship has been given to over 45 young adults who have gone on to lead very successful lives. They both serve as Elders in the Presbyterian Church and are active members at University Presbyterian Church, teaching Sunday School to elementary aged children.  They have worked in scouting with their children and Ed has coached soccer when the children were younger.

Boysville has been the receipient of their generosity for years.  Through their hard work, their dedication, their perserveance to serve children in need, the Baxter’s have created a legacy for Boysville.  It is a legacy that will always be remembered and cherished by the staff, the children and the Board of Directors.