Roger A. Krone is the 15th President and CEO of the Boy Scouts of America. As an Eagle Scout from ... [+]
The Boy Scouts of America is entering a new era under the leadership of Roger Krone, a seasoned executive with a rich background in technology and innovation. Before taking the helm at BSA, Krone served as CEO of Leidos, a Fortune 500 company specializing in defense, aviation, information technology, and biomedical research. His expertise in running a $15 billion technology company, coupled with a background in engineering program management, positions him as a strategic leader capable of steering the Scouts into a new era, emphasizing the integration of technology to enhance Scouting experiences and operations.
With BSA emerging from bankruptcy, filed in 2020 to establish a Victims’ Compensation Trust to provide restitution to survivors of past sexual abuse, Krone is focused on leveraging technology and innovation to propel the organization into the future.
Embracing Technological Evolution
Krone sees immense potential in integrating technology to enhance the operational efficiency of BSA and cites the opportunity to leverage cloud technology to buy enterprise applications as a service. “We can actually upgrade a lot of our internal systems without the large capital expenditure which we can’t afford, considering that we are coming out of bankruptcy and are not-for-profit,” he says.
Krone highlights the importance of data management, proposing the migration of member information to a cloud-based data lake and mining that information to connect with BSA alumni who may not have been contacted in decades. With nearly 100 million alumni, the organization aims to use technology for targeted communication, reconnecting with former Scouts, and fostering philanthropic engagements. “Technology will help us find those people, communicate with them, update them on what’s going on in Scouting and connect them with philanthropic interests and fundraising,” Krone said. Data analytics will be employed to gain valuable insights into membership trends, enabling more effective and targeted programming across different councils.
Revolutionizing Program Delivery
Krone acknowledges the need to evolve program delivery methods to meet the expectations of today's digitally native Scouts. He envisions a shift from traditional paper-based advancement and merit badge processes to electronic registration and downloadable handbooks. “We want to communicate with our participants the way they are used to interacting with organizations, and that is through small screen devices, through apps, interacting on the cloud,” Krone said.
“It’s great to say, ‘you can learn how to tie a square knot on page 52 in a handbook,’” Krone said. He added, “it’s better to have a YouTube video published by the Boy Scouts that shows how to tie one.” He also highlights the importance of leveraging technology in training Scout leaders and disseminating information. By tapping into the ubiquity of cell phones among Scouts, BSA aims to connect with its members through modern channels, offering content that aligns with their preferences and habits.
Using Technology to Enhance the Scouting Experience
In addressing the traditional image of Scouting being unplugged and disconnected from technology, Krone offers a nuanced perspective. While emphasizing the importance of preserving the essence of nature-centric experiences, he sees technology as an enhancer rather than a disruptor.
“The way our leaders connect with our participants is electronically. By enabling wi-fi at the base camp of high adventure locations like Philmont Scout Ranch, we’re able to enhance the experience and keep kids organized” to know when to meet up, and when to set their alarms. He also cites the dual value of cellphones, acting not only as communication devices but also as powerful tools for capturing and sharing Scouting experiences through photos and videos. Yet once they’re out of cellphone range, they’re undistracted by connected devices and can appreciate being close to nature.
The Intersection of Scouting and Technology in Krone's Career
Leidos former Board of Directors Chairman and CEO Roger A. Krone.
Reflecting on his own Scouting experience, Krone identifies the significant impact it had on his career in technology and innovation. Scouting didn't revolve around technology during his youth, and Krone cites a course he took on the use of semaphore flags for signaling. But he states, “the Scouting experience to me really was the connection with my peers and learning more about people, empathy, leadership, and planning, budgeting, and execution.”
Krone draws parallels between running a $15 billion technology company and Scouting, emphasizing that the success of technology companies relies on knowledge workers. His experience in Scouting taught him the importance of working with people and applying technology to solve real-world problems, transcending the mere manipulation of zeros and ones. “The tool that Scouting gave me that’s most applicable is to work with people, empathize with them, and understand that it’s not about the technology, it’s about the application of the technology to a problem.”
Navigating the Post-Bankruptcy Landscape
With an eye on the future, Krone outlines the five pillars guiding BSA's roadmap post-bankruptcy. The first pillar centers on running the safest youth-serving organization in the country, prioritizing youth protection and keeping pace with contemporary challenges. Krone states that if BSA leadership weren’t careful, “we could worry about the issues that put us in bankruptcy and miss the issues that are important to kids today. Cyberbullying comes to mind.”
The second pillar focuses on optimizing relationships between the central governing organization and local councils, recognizing the need for a thoughtful approach in the current environment with about 1,000 paid national staff nationwide, 16 regions, and 250 separately chartered councils. Programming, advertising and marketing, and brand restoration constitute the third, fourth, and fifth pillars, respectively. The CEO emphasizes the importance of effective fundraising to retire debt and invest in BSA's core programs.
Building on a Legacy of Technology Achievers
Krone underscores the impressive list of former Boy Scouts who have excelled in technology, including astronauts Neil Armstrong and Jim Lovell; Microsoft co-founder, investor, and philanthropist Bill Gates; former Secretaries of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Bob Gates; and filmmaker, producer and screenwriter Steven Spielberg, among others. He expresses a commitment to making every Boy Scout proud of their affiliation. “Part of my job is to make people proud that they were a Scout. I’ve told many people, ‘I think it’s great that you were a Scout. If I sent you a bumper sticker, would you put it on your car?’” he says. As BSA went through bankruptcy, there was less enthusiasm to affiliate with the organization, and Krone has made it his mission to raise BSA’s profile to the point where all Scouting alumni feel proud to advocate for the shared values of Scouting, such that they’d be proud to put a BSA bumper sticker on their car.
A New Chapter for BSA
As Roger Krone assumes the helm of Boy Scouts of America, his vision for a technologically enhanced and innovative Scouting experience signals a new chapter for the iconic organization. By leveraging his extensive background in technology and drawing from the timeless lessons of Scouting, Krone aims to shape a future where BSA remains not just relevant but transformative in the lives of young individuals across the nation.
The conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity. Follow me on LinkedIn or check out my other columns here.
