Henry Reyes came to professional Scouting somewhat late in his career, but his vision for the future of Scouting reaches between communities and across generations. "I became a professional Scout in March of 1999, after serving 14 years as a police officer."

For Henry, the move from law enforcement to Scouting was a natural transition. As a police officer, he had volunteered to work with young people in his community. "When I decided to leave the police department, it came as a culmination of understanding that there was probably a larger purpose for what I should be doing. My first jobs in Scouting were to work in hard-core east Palo Alto. That was the hook that drew me in—a chance to work with kids in the inner city. "I came from a very large family—I've got 9 sisters and 2 brothers." His father labored in the fields of northern California to support the family, but he was firm in his determination that all the kids would get an education. In fact, all 9 of Henry's sisters went on to become professional educators.

In his role as Senior District Executive for the Pacific Skyline Council, Henry brings Scouting programs to more than 3,000 young people in his district—one of most dynamic and diverse population centers in the country. Through his own family's experience, he has seen how the commitment of one person can change the future for generations to come. "The future of Scouting in these diverse communities is now based on getting that first generation of Scouts established. We have to make extra effort to get leaders and volunteers from within these communities in order to bridge cultural and language barriers to reach the kids."