THE FOLLOWING IS A DANVILLE FAMILY YMCA RELEASE
38-year YMCA Veteran Leader Linus VanderWyst to Retire in March
DANVILLE, ILL. – The Danville Family YMCA has launched the search for a new CEO/Executive Director as current leader Linus VanderWyst plans to retire next year. VanderWyst has been at the helm in Danville since 2017 and says he and his wife Kelly plan to stay in the Danville area.
“We’ve enjoyed living in this area as it has allowed us to stay within driving distance of family and friends,” Wisconsin native VanderWyst said. “The Danville community welcomed us from the very beginning, and we cherish the friendships we’ve made here. The Y has been a part of my life for a long time, so retirement is bittersweet, but I’m confident the board will succeed in finding the right candidate to fill the role.”
Danville YMCA board president Adam Harmon says the board is working with representatives from the YMCA of the USA to assist with the search and fill the position. “It’s nice to have those national resources to draw upon, but we have a local hiring committee and we’ll be very handson throughout the process.” Harmon adds that the board is hopeful to find a candidate that can pick up the mantle and keep the Y moving forward. “Of course we are sad to see Linus go, particularly given how hard he’s worked to keep the Y on track throughout his tenure. The pandemic created challenges for a lot of facilities, and we were blessed to have Linus and his team here guide us through those times. He leaves big shoes to fill.”
The Danville Family YMCA seeks a candidate that will build trust and extend the breadth and depth of the YMCA’s reach across its service area, including collaborative efforts to grow and maintain productive working relationships in the community. The board believes its new CEO should be an experienced leader who has the background and qualities that will permit him or her to achieve excellence in strategic planning, operational performance, fiscal management, staff development and managing the facility. The YMCA serves more than 2,700 members in its Vermilion Street facility, which includes a wellness center, two gymnasiums, indoor track, and a 6-lane swimming pool.
Applications for the position will be accepted through January 2, 2024 and can be submitted at https://www.ymca.org/get involved/careers/opportunities/open-positions/16819 Preliminary interviews will begin January 17, 2024. The hiring committee aims to have the new CEO on board by March 15, 2024.
About the Danville Family YMCA
The YMCA of Danville has been an integral part of the Danville community since 1883 when it was chartered as a YMCA. Today, more than 2,700 members enjoy the programs and services that the Y has to offer. The Y is proud to ensure that the Y is accessible to everyone, and we never want anyone to be turned away for an inability to pay. The Y has a number of generous supporters from the community. The Y is more than a membership card. We’re bigger than the programs we offer in our facility or around the community. We’re family.
