MEET FRANK YOKE
I grew up in Parkersburg, West Virginia as the younger of two children. This was a wonderful environment to grow up in during the 1950’s and 1960’s. My father spent his working life as an attorney while my mother was a stay at home mom. My sister followed my father into the legal profession. We enjoyed a close knit family with my fraternal grandparents, uncle, aunt and five cousins living on the same street.
The environment of my youth taught me important lessons that have served me well to this day. Lessons of continuing traditions, relationship building, community service, hard work and commitment to important institutions.
My commitment to community service was passed down by my fraternal grandfather who was the first Executive Director of the WVU Alumni Association, Supreme Governor of the Loyal Order of the Moose and United Fund Campaign Chair. The tradition of hard work was established by my maternal grandfather who opened his own men’s clothing store in 1929 in the midst of the Great Depression and successfully ran this business for nearly 40 years. I have gone on to serve my community as the President of the Phoenix Kiwanis Club, I currently serve as a Board Member of the San Francisco Rotary Club and I am currently on the Audit Committee for the Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center.
In 1965 following the visit of the local District Executive to my elementary school I joined Cub Scouts. This moment turned out to be a life changing event. My mother also joined Cub Scouts and served as the Den Mother.
Eventually I joined Boy Scout Troop #4 Chartered to the St. Andrews United Methodist Church in Parkersburg, West Virginia. I was blessed with wonderful, committed leaders in Troop 4. My youth Scouting experience was outstanding. I went on to achieve the Eagle Scout Award with a Bronze Palm, the Vigil Honor in the Order of the Arrow and was able to attend the 1973 National Jamboree and the 1975 World Jamboree. It was my honor to be the Keynote Speaker at their 100 year Anniversary Banquet.
I am proud to say that I am a 3rd generation graduate of West Virginia University (WVU). Following graduation from West Virginia University the local District Executive (my original patrol leader, by the way) encouraged me to join the Professional Scouting ranks. In September, 1981 I began my career as an Associate District Executive in the Greater Cleveland Council. Since that time I have been privileged to serve seven other councils in a variety of capacities: District Executive, Senior District Executive, District Director, Field Director, Director of Field Service, Finance Director, Director of Financial Services, Director of Development, Chief Financial Officer and currently Deputy Scout Executive.
I met my wife Patsy serving Scouting in Detroit, Michigan where she was a Registrar. We have been married for 25 years and are the parents of two grown children who are on their own. Brian is employed as a marketing specialist with a home services company; Jim currently works as a Para-Legal.