Latest news with #HeartoftheValleyYMCA
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Heart of the Valley YMCA announces new president and CEO
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Heart of the Valley YMCA has announced Rob Gray as its next president and Chief Executive Officer. The YMCA said Gray will take over on August 11. The organization said Gray brings over 30 years of experience with the YMCA from various posts around the country. He most recently served as CEO of the Bath Area Family YMCA in Maine, but has also served in leadership positions in Maryland, Florida, Tennessee and Kentucky. Madison County BoE approves bid for construction of new middle school in Hazel Green 'Rob is a transformational leader with deep experience in mission-driven leadership andoperational excellence,' Board Chair of the Heart of the Valley YMCA Jared Sharp said. 'His commitment to collaboration, innovation, and community building makes him theideal person to lead our YMCA into its next chapter.' The YMCA said that while in Maine, Gray led the organization's post-COVID recovery and growth efforts and increased membership by 48 percent, and launched a $6 million capital campaign. 'I am deeply honored to join the Heart of the Valley YMCA, an organization with a stronglegacy of strengthening communities in North Alabama,' Gray said. 'Together with thestaff, volunteers, and partners, I look forward to advancing the Y's mission to put Christianprinciples into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.' The new CEO comes as Heart of the Valley YMCA has recently dealt with several issues. In August of 2024, the organization filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, citing mortgage debt from the Hogan YMCA in Madison. The bankruptcy led to the YMCA selling Camp Cha-La-Kee in Guntersville. The organization also announced the closure of its Downtown Huntsville location in April, saying that its lease with Huntsville Utilities expires on August 31. Heart of the Valley YMCA said that the closure has nothing to do with its bankruptcy and is entirely due to the expiration of the lease. The organization told News 19's Emily Moessner at the time that it was looking for other spaces downtown and is committed to continuing to serve the area. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Downtown Express YMCA to close, YMCA looking for new location
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — The Heart of the Valley YMCA is looking for a new location for the Downtown Express YMCA. It announced last week, that the lease on the space inside the building owned by Huntsville Utilities is expiring on August 31st. News 19 reached out to the Heart of the Valley YMCA for more details on the closure and search for a new space. LISTEN: Rep. Dale Strong holds telephone town hall 'They need the space back that we've been using for the past 15-20 years,' said Interim CEO Jeff Collen. Collen said keeping the location downtown is a priority. 'We think it's really, really important that the YMCA remain downtown,' he said. Collen told News 19 that the Y is working with downtown partners to find a new location that is just as convenient. 📲 to stay updated on the go. 📧 to have news sent to your inbox. 'We'll find another location that will serve the downtown community as well, if not better, than we've ever been able to,' Collen said. In August of 2024, the Heart of the Valley YMCA filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. It cited financial issues due to 'mortgage debt' from the Hogan YMCA in Madison. As a result, the YMCA sold Camp Cha-La-Kee in Guntersville. However, Collen told News 19 that the decision to move the Downtown YMCA is purely due to the expiration of the building lease and that it has nothing to do with financial issues. 'It has absolutely nothing to do with it,' Collen told News 19. During the month of March, Collen told News 19 that there were more than 4,300 visits to the Downtown Y. He said once the Y finds a new location to relocate to, it could be 'very, very positive' for membership. At this time, he said they are still looking for the perfect location. News 19 will keep you updated on when a new location is selected. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
