Leadership transition underway at Good Samaritan Boys Ranch

Kevin Killian is becoming the first executive director of The Good Samaritan Boys Ranch Foundation.

Casey Wray is slated to succeed Killian as CEO of Good Samaritan.

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The Good Samaritan Boys Ranch nonprofit is switching up its leadership.

Effective Jan. 1, longtime President and CEO Kevin Killian is scheduled to take over as the first executive director of The Good Samaritan Boys Ranch Foundation. He’ll be succeeded by Casey Wray, the nonprofit’s vice president of operations, according to a news release.

Good Samaritan Boys Ranch spokeswoman Julie Guillebeau said the foundation, which solely will fund the nonprofit’s programs, “has been in the formative stages until now.” It was approved by the Missouri secretary of state in June 2017 as a nonprofit corporation.

Killian has led the Good Samaritan Boys Ranch as president and CEO for 26 years, while Wray joined the nonprofit 17 years ago. As foundation executive director, Killian will lead fundraising and facility needs, and Wray will focus on operational and leadership functions, as well as all other programming, according to the release.

Good Samaritan Boys Ranch will continue to focus on at-risk, abused or neglected children, though services are expected to broaden as the 60-year-old nonprofit plans its future, according to the release. Along with the therapeutic ranch in Brighton, Good Samaritan’s Footsteps Transitional Living program next month is slated to open its new $1.6 million housing center in Springfield for children transitioning out of foster care. Nonprofit officials say outpatient therapy and care that includes the child’s entire family and support system also is on the way.