About Us

President/CEO

Ricky Creech began his tenure as the President/CEO of Boys & Girls Homes of North Carolina on October 1, 2020.

He joins us after serving as CEO at Southstone Behavioral Center in Virginia. He had previously served as President and CEO of Buckhorn Children & Family Services. A graduate of the South Carolina Fire Academy, he received his Associate of Arts degree from North Greenville University, his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Furman University, his Masters of Social Work from Baptist Theological Seminary and has done extensive study and work in the area of Traumatology.

An ordained minister, Ricky was the Executive Director for the District of Columbia Baptist Convention and the Executive Director of the Birmingham Baptist Association.

Chief Business Development and Program Officer

Donna Yalch oversees our Residential Services Division, Community-Based Services Division and Admission Department. Donna also founded the LAKE House, B&GH’s first ever program for teen mothers and their babies.

Donna is a graduate of West Virginia University with a bachelor’s degree in social work. She has more than 20 years of experience in protecting children and strengthening families.

In 2001, Donna joined B&GH as a foster care consultant and, as a result, was introduced to two young children she and her husband, Joe, would later adopt. After the birth of their son, Adam, they welcomed Brandon and Megan into the Yalch family with open arms. Donna enjoys following Mountaineer football and spending time with her family.

Chief Clinical Officer

Courtney is facilitating the new clinical model at Boys & Girls Homes known as The Waccamaw Way.

She also oversees the residential and community-based clinical departments, the nursing/medical department and nutritional services.

Courtney joined Boys & Girls Homes in 2012 to complete her internship while working on her Master's of Social Work Degree. Since that time she has taken on increasing levels of responsibility as a Therapeutic Foster Care Consultant, Therapeutic Foster Care Supervisor, Director of Therapeutic Foster Care, Clinical Director, and Carolyn's Kaleidoscope Child Advocacy Center Clinical Mental Health Director.

Chief Mission Officer

Ray oversees the Development Division, Marketing, Public Relations, Branding, Social Media, Community Engagement, Spiritual Development, Volunteer Mobilization, Special Projects, our Country Store, Alumni Center, and is responsible for holding the organization accountable in protecting the mission, vision, values, heritage and identity in all that we do and say.

Since joining the development team at B&GH in April 2005, his focus has been planned giving and major gifts. He is a Certified Financial Planner and holds both a bachelor and master's degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. In addition to his work, Ray is active in scouting and serves as the leader for the scouts in Troop 26 in Wilmington. He has coached both his son's athletic teams and is active in his church and the Wilmington Optimist Club.

Chief Administrative Officer

Mike oversees facility management, grounds & farm operations, corporate IT services, fleet management & maintenance, carwash, human resources, risk management, compliance, continuous quality improvement, grant writing and environmental care and safety.

Mike joined B&GH in 2017 as the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations responsible for writing grants. He was promoted to Development Director before taking on his current role.

A native of Columbus County, he attended Tabor City High School. He served 21 years in the U.S. Air Force with a specialty in missiles and satellite operations. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel and then became a defense and intelligence consultant to government agencies in Washington, D.C. for 12 years. He worked as a real estate agent for several years before returning to his country home in 2015.

Mike has a Business Management degree from NC State University and a Masters from Chapman University.