Leonard "Lenny" Comma, president and chief operating officer of Jack in the Box Inc., has joined the board of directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

Serving more than 600,000 children, parents/guardians and volunteers, Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful, closely monitored, long-term, one-to-one mentoring matches, helping children overcome adversity to achieve success in school and in life.

"Jack in the Box supports and encourages our employees and franchisees to take active roles in supporting their communities," Comma says. "As the parents of three amazing boys, my wife and I know how important it is for children to have positive role models in their lives.

“For those children who may not benefit from the active involvement of both parents or adult guardians, Big Brothers Big Sisters can really make a positive difference in their lives. I've enjoyed supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters in various capacities over the years and am looking forward to increasing my involvement as a member of its national board of directors."

"Lenny's decision to accept this prominent position with Big Brothers Big Sisters underscores our company's commitment to community service and to the importance of youth mentoring," says Brian Luscomb, president of The Jack in the Box Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization funded by donations from Jack in the Box Inc., its employees, franchisees, vendors, and Jack in the Box guests.

"Since 1998, The Jack in the Box Foundation has donated more than $4 million to the national Big Brothers Big Sisters organization and its affiliated local agencies through financial support and in-kind contributions. We're pleased with the positive impact we've had on Littles served through the organization's various programs, especially its military mentoring programs."

A long-time supporter of military families, San Diego-based Jack in the Box helped launch Big Brothers Big Sisters' Operation Bigs military mentoring program in 2004. The program initially served children and volunteer mentors from military families at Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base. In partnership with Jack in the Box, Big Brothers Big Sisters has expanded its mentoring services to military communities across the U.S.

"Lenny's appointment comes at a critical time for Big Brothers Big Sisters when national corporate and foundation partners are a growing part of how we serve children, families, and volunteers with school- and community-based mentoring services," says Charles Pierson, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America president and chief executive officer.

"On the heels of the release of our first ever Big Brothers Big Sisters Youth Outcomes Survey, we know our programs have proven, positive academic, socio-emotional, and behavioral outcomes for youth. Big Brothers Big Sisters is an investment that promises tangible rewards for employers, including improvements in high school graduation, juvenile delinquency prevention, and job readiness."

Comma, who joined Jack in the Box Inc. in 2001, was promoted to president and chief operating officer in May of this year. He is responsible for the operations of all company and franchised Jack in the Box locations, which comprises more than 2,200 restaurants in 20 U.S. states, as well as marketing and restaurant development. Comma has an MBA from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and a bachelor's degree in finance from Drexel University in Philadelphia.