PARKERSBURG — A new district executive has been named by the Boy Scouts of America Kootaga District Buckskin Council.

Michael Fletcher of Athens joined Scouts in 1968 in Troop 71 in Athens and became an Eagle Scout six years later.

“I was one of the OA-Kootaga Dancers in the 70’s. I’m a straight dancer still. I worked camp staff at Kootaga in 1971, 72 and 73 and returned for one more in 1978 so that I could work with a dear friend and mentor, Keith Butts,” Fletcher said.

He became the new district executive and director for Camp Kootaga on Feb. 15. Key leadership of the Kootaga District includes Fletcher, District Chairman Vernon Criss, District Commissioner Christopher Burk District Commissioner.

The Kootaga District serves Scouts and volunteers in Wood, Jackson, Wirt, Roane, Ritchie, Calhoun, Belpre, Little Hocking and Coolville in Ohio.

Fletcher worked at Chief Logan Reservation in 2012 as the provisional scoutmaster and archery director and was a volunteer unit leader or assistant leader for most years since 1980, which included specializing in native cultures and dance, here and in Arizona.

Fletcher also volunteered for Troop 357 in Athens for about 16 years.

“I’m from Athens County and the former Kootaga Council and one way or another I’ve been involved in Scouting since I was 11 or let’s say most of the past five decades,” Fletcher said. “This is the fifth and final time I’ve considered working professionally for BSA. They first started recruiting me when I was in my early twenties.”

Fletcher ran in the primary election last year for the Democratic nomination to the U.S. House of Representatives District 12 from Ohio, losing in the primary election to Amy Rippel-Elton. He also ran for the Ohio Senate District 30 in 2020.

Fletcher worked 18 years as an appraiser and real estate consultant, 10 years as a real estate agent, 12 years as a retirement planning specialist for teachers and others working in the education sector and five years as an EMT-Basic.

“Last year I was a youth specialist at a facility for teen boys convicted of various felonies,” he said. “There have been a few other gigs along the way. I’m better with a computer and calculator than I am with a hammer and wrench.”

He and his wife, who works at Ohio University and is finishing her PhD dissertation, have five adult children. A daughter is a competitive Irish Dancer and still mad at BSA because she did not get a chance to get her Eagle and the four boys are Eagle Scouts and past staff members at Chief Logan Reservation, Simon Kenton Council.

The Kootaga District serves Scouts and volunteers in Wood, Jackson, Wirt, Roane, Ritchie, Calhoun, Belpre, Little Hocking and Coolville in Ohio.