He was previously Group Director of HR, Innovation, Exploring and Learning for Life for the BSA.

[3] On December 29, 2019, Surbaugh's retirement was announced via an email to BSA volunteers.

Surbaugh earned his Eagle Scout award in Troop 360 in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania in 1976[2] and served on the summer camp staff of the Allegheny Trails Council, the predecessor of the Laurel Highlands Council.

[2] Surbaugh has been met with criticism and praise for his changes in the BSA's admission policies.

[3] During his administration, the Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America has removed the ban against homosexual adult membership, changed the membership application to allow youth to include the gender they identify with instead of requiring the gender on their birth certificate, and has started accepting girls into the Cub Scout and Boy Scout (now renamed Scouts BSA) programs.