The Owensboro Family YMCA on Wednesday named Thomas Bontrager as their new President/CEO. He will begin on October 5 and succeeds John Alexander, who announced his retirement earlier this year.
Bontrager was selected from a pool of 35 candidates. He has worked at YMCAs in Atlanta and Chicago, and most recently at one in Mississippi where secured more than $400,000 in grants and fundraising to improve their after-school, sports, and aquatics programs.
“I am thrilled to join the Owensboro Family YMCA organization. I have spent many years volunteering for and employed with the YMCA. This is a place that has changed me for the better, and I’m thrilled to be able to give back,” Bontrager said.
In his new role, Thomas will be tasked with leading the Y’s upcoming capital campaign, increasing membership and family programming, and growing the facility’s childcare capacity.
The YMCA said in a release that Bontrager has “profound knowledge of operations and fund development mixed with a passion for serving his community.”
Board Chair Bo Ivey said Bontrager stood out among the candidates.
“His track record and vision for the Owensboro Family YMCA is exactly what we were looking for in a leader,” Ivey said. “With Thomas’ successful experience within the YMCA movement and passion towards the Y’s mission to create a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all, we are convinced that the Owensboro Family YMCA will continue to have fantastic leadership for years to come.”
Alexander announced his departure from the position in July and aided in the selection of Bontrager. At the City Commission meeting Tuesday afternoon, Alexander talked about the future of the YMCA.
He said that the nonprofit is “backtracking” after the collaborative effort with the Senior Community Center did not go through, and said the Y is currently focusing on their childcare.
“We purchased the building behind us almost two years ago at 730 Harvard Drive … we’re in the process of putting a roof on that, and we are looking to make sure it’s weather-tight for the winter as we try to plan for how we’re going to expand our childcare operation,” Alexander said.
During this process, Alexander said they will move the childcare facilities to the second floor of the new building and expand their services there once it’s been finished.
However, Alexander also noted while the financial status of the YMCA is healthy, they are looking at how they can fund an upcoming renovation because pandemic-related dollars are “drying up.”
“And I’m afraid that many nonprofits, unless they’re looking down the road, are not going to be prepared very well for that cliff that is going to happen when those monies are no longer available to them,” Alexander said.
Alexander said that the YMCA is still open for collaborations and partnerships with other organizations going forward.
