Floridian named as South Texas Children’s Home Ministries president

Eron Green of Florida Baptist Children's Homes has been named president and chief executive officer of South Texas Children's Home Ministries, effective May 1.

The position became available in July 2011 after then-president Todd Roberson was named president of Children At Heart Ministries in Round Rock. Homer Hanna has served as president during the interim.

Eron Green, shown with wife Shelley and children, Harper and Deacon, has been named president and CEO of South Texas Children's Home Ministries.

Green is currently serving as an administrator of Florida Baptist Children's Homes, where he has overseen all program operations in the Central Florida area since 2007.

After a six-month search, the STCHM board of directors on March 13 unanimously voted to call Green as the agency's new leader.

"The job of a search committee for a president and CEO of any organization is a task that requires coordination, direction, and diligence to find the person with the right skills, qualifications, character, and personality for the job," board Chairman John Weber said.

"In addition to ascertaining each of these qualifications, this committee spent much time in prayer seeking the Lord's will, as a group and individually, as we went through this process. Our committee recommendation to the board was unanimous."

Presidential search committee Chairman Tony Gray said several well-qualified candidates were interviewed for the position, and Eron Green became their clear choice.

"The search committee believed Eron's progressive experience in childcare and group homes was unmatched," Gray said. "His knowledge and enthusiasm will lend themselves well to the position. His passion for helping hurting kids and families, and his strong Christian character, also made him an exceptional candidate."

Green came highly recommended by two people with close ties to STCHM—Jerry Haag, president and CEO of Florida Baptist Children's Homes, and Randy Rankin, executive director of New Mexico Baptist Children's Home. Haag served as STCHM president from 2000 to 2007, and Rankin began his childcare career at STCHM 39 years ago. Both spoke highly of Green's capabilities, experience and character, and both strongly endorsed Green as an excellent choice for the role.

"I have complete trust in Eron from both a competency and character standpoint," Haag said. "He has been leading a growth program for FBCH's Central Florida area, and I have depended on Eron tremendously. Everyone sees him as a leader. He has a wonderful ability to cast the vision and bring along key constituents and donors."

Green holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Troy State University in Alabama and a master's of communication degree, with a concentration in family and organizational communication, from Eastern New Mexico University.

Green previously served at childcare agencies in New Mexico and Texas before assuming his administrator role in Florida where he oversees residential programs, an emergency shelter, foster care, adoptions, maternity care counseling, adult ministries and outlying social work offices. He has also been involved in some of FBCH's international childcare efforts.

Green and his wife Shelley have two children, Harper, 4, and Deacon, 2. They currently attend First Baptist Church in Lakeland, Fla.

"My heart is to help children and families through the saving message of Christ," Green said. "We are excited to see how God will use us to continue the tremendous work that was started sixty years ago at South Texas Children's Homes Ministries. I am humbled at the opportunity to work with the board of directors, staff and partners of such an incredible organization."  

"During the time I have served on the board of South Texas Children's Home Ministries, I have been blessed to observe the leadership of Jack Green, Jerry Haag, and Todd Roberson," Weber said. 

"We owe a debt of gratitude to Homer Hanna for stepping up once again to serve as interim president and CEO after Todd Roberson's departure. Homer's leadership has been invaluable. Each of these men was precisely the individual this institution needed at a particular point in time to lead and expand its ministries. I firmly believe that in Eron Green, the Lord has led us once again to a new president and CEO who will provide the guidance STCH Ministries needs as we look to a very bright future."

STCHM, an affiliated institution of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, is a licensed childcare facility that offers residential care for children, family care for single mothers and their children, professional counseling offices, Christian Women's Job Corps classes in Corpus Christi, and international childcare work in the Dominican Republic.

STCHM is licensed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and receives both state and private placements of children. The organization relies solely on contributions from BGCT and the generosity of individuals, churches, businesses, foundations and other organizations for funding.