Key Council Leadership

Hugh Redd
Council President

Hugh Redd is the CFO and Senior Vice President of General Dynamics. Hugh has been part of the Scouting community since he was a young man.  He rose to the rank of Life Scout, and as an adult Scouter has served in a number program areas including Assistant Scoutmaster and Troop Committee member. He currently serves as the President of the National Capital Area Council (NCAC), Boy Scouts of America (BSA).

Hugh joined General Dynamics in 1986 as a senior financial analyst.  He went on to hold positions of increasing responsibility in financial analysis and treasury operations.  Prior to his current position, he was division vice president and controller for General Dynamics Land Systems in Sterling Heights, Michigan.

He worked in the tax department of Arthur Andersen from 1983 to 1986 before joining General Dynamics.

Hugh earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Brigham Young University and a master’s degree in professional accountancy from the University of Texas.  He also is a Certified Public Accountant.

“Scouting offers a positive, empowering, educational, interactive and dynamic program that encourages team work as much as it demands personal development,” said Hugh. “It provides the chance for young people to interact with their peers as well as with people of all ages and social, cultural and economic backgrounds. I am excited to lead this Council and to help our youth develop the leadership skills, strong character and healthy habits that will ultimately result in a better community for us all.”

Ed Yarbrough
Council Commissioner

Ed started his Scouting career as a Cub Scout in Pack 5 sponsored by the First Presbyterian Church in Chillicothe Ohio, progressing through all the Cub Scout ranks, including the old “Lion Scout” and Webelos Scout when it actually meant “Wolf-Bear-Lion Scout”! He became an Eagle Scout, participated in the 1969 National Jamboree, and was one of three BSA National Youth Representatives for Scouting in 1972, delivering the BSA Report to the Nation.

His Scouter service includes pack committee chairman, unit organizer, unit commissioner and OA advisor for a new district, and vice chairman of membership. He received the District Award of Merit while in San Diego. When the Yarbrough family moved to Ashburn, Virginia so he could work with space and technology programs, Ed continued his adult involvement in Scouting at the unit, district, area, and council levels.

Ed served 4 years as the Vice President of Membership where he coached a strong team and achieved Scout recruiting records. In 2009 he served as the Council Vice President of Operations.

He has earned a PhD in Commissioner Science, and has been instructor, guest speaker, and student at many Council events such as the Pow Wow, Commissioner’s College, and University of Scouting. Ed has also served as Goose Creek District Chairman, helping it earn Quality District status, and the Virginia West Area Vice President.

Ed credits strong interest in Commissioner Service to his father Jesse Yarbrough, himself a District Chairman, and his Scouting friendship with Dr. Bruce Brookbank. He has served on three National Eagle Scout Association National Jamboree Staffs and will do so again in 2010. He completed Wood Badge as an ‘Old Gray Owl’, and is a Silver Beaver.

For the Yarbrough family, Scouting is a family hobby – sons Steven, Scott, and Brendan are Eagle Scouts and Vigil Honor members; daughter Kyla is a Merit Badge Counselor; and wife Barb is also a Silver Beaver/Vigil Honor member.

Ed is a member and has been a leader at Our Saviors Way Lutheran Church, serving in numerous roles.

Les Baron
Scout Executive

Les Baron, a 30-year Scout professional, joined the National Capital Area Council, BSA as Scout Executive in April 2010.  His most recent assignment was as the Scout Executive of the Orange County Council in Santa Ana, California.

During his tenure in Orange County (2004-2010), Les directed an 80-member board, a staff in excess of 60 people, increased membership 7% and secured $29 million towards The Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center Capital Campaign.

Prior to taking the Scout Executive position in Orange County, Les served as the Scout Executive at the Gulf Ridge Council in Tampa, Florida, and at Flint River Council in Griffin, Georgia. Les began his Scouting career with the Great Smoky Mountain Council in Knoxville, Tennessee, moving through the ranks from District Executive to Field Director to Director of Field Service. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business management from Maryville College, Maryville, Tennessee. Les and his wife of 29 years, Kim, have two children - an Eagle Scout son, Leslie, 24; and a daughter, Sara, 21.

The National Capital Area Council is proud to have Les at the helm as we work to fulfill the vision of the Strategic Plan, enhancing current youth programs to reflect the growing and changing demographics of our communities while continuing to deliver the quality of programs that earned us the moniker of "flagship council of America.”

Peter C. Forster 
Chairman of the Board (past president)

Peter C. Forster joined the Clark organization in 1987 as President and Chief Operating Officer of The George Hyman Construction Company and was later promoted to Chief Executive Officer.  In 1996, The George

Hyman Construction Company merged with its sister company, OMNI Construction, Inc. and became The Clark Construction Group, Inc.  At that time, he was promoted to Chairman and CEO.

Clark Construction performs $2 billion per year in general building projects.  The work includes major convention centers, stadiums, arenas, high-rise buildings, government facilities, airport terminals and other projects throughout the U.S.

Prior to joining the Clark organization, Mr. Forster was president and chief operating officer of the Montgomery, Alabama based Blount International, Ltd., which he joined in 1968.  He was promoted to president and chief operating officer of Blount Brothers Corporation, the company's largest subsidiary, in 1978.

Mr. Forster earned a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering, and a bachelor of business administration in 1964 from Texas A&M University, then pursued graduate study in civil engineering at Northeastern University.  He began his career in 1964 as a civil engineering officer with the U.S. Air Force, where he worked on construction projects in the United States and Thailand.

Mr. Forster is a Member of the Knights of Malta and serves on the Board of the Westin Jesuit School of Theology and the National Capital Area Boy Scouts.  He is a registered Professional Engineer and a member of ASCE.