In 1964, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay began its history as Big Brothers of Hillsborough County. Big Sisters of Tampa was formed soon after in 1965 when a juvenile court judge, James Calhoun, and a local women’s group recognized an overwhelming need for it. In 1967, A. Ernie Ortiz became the first “Little Brother” in the national organization’s history to rise to the post of Executive Director of a Big Brother affiliate. It wasn’t until 1981, however, when Big Brothers of Hillsborough County and Big Sisters of Tampa finally merged to create Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay.