Raymond O. Hanson, affectionately known as “The Chief” was the first Scout Executive of the San Francisco council from 1917 until 1938. Prior to becoming the SF Scout Exec, Hanson was the secretary for the San Francisco Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) from 1909 until 1917. Hanson and other leaders of the SF council were instrumental in securing the Watson property for use as a Boy Scout summer camp. In 1938 Hanson accepted the position as BSA Western Region Exec and moved to Los Angeles. Hanson died in 1944 at the age of 58 due to cancer.