Courtesy Saratoga Regional YMCA
The Saratoga Regional YMCA board of directors has named Andrew Bobbitt, formerly CEO of the Fox Valley Family YMCA outside of Chicago, as the organization’s next chief executive officer.
“Andrew has dedicated nearly 25 years of his career to the YMCA organization, and as a result has a broad array of skills and tremendous capabilities,” said Alysa Arnold, president of the Saratoga Regional YMCA Board of Directors. “With dozens of community leaders applying for the CEO position from around the country, the competition certainly was fierce.
“However, Andrew’s long-term experience providing cause-driven strategic leadership, his proven track record managing multi-million dollar budgets and projects, his ability to create a positive experience for association members and staff, and his passion for the YMCA’s mission and charitable endeavors made him stand out from the rest.”
At his former position in Plano, Ill., Bobbitt was responsible for a $4.2 million YMCA with multiple branches serving more than 20,000 members and employing more than 200 staff.
“It’s rare to find a leadership opportunity providing such a high quality of life paired with an outstanding, fiscally-sound Y that vibrantly and successfully serves many unique communities,” Bobbitt said. “I pride myself on my ability to bring people together to create a culture of camaraderie effectuating a highly successful and efficient operation. I’ll bring plenty of energy to the tasks before me and will strive each day to develop a culture that builds capacity, grows the Y, partners with other stakeholders and not-for-profits in Saratoga County, and builds strong relationships with facility members, staff, members of the organization’s two boards, volunteers and community leaders.”
He served as president and chairman of the Illinois State Alliance of YMCAs that serves 45 YMCA organizations throughout Illinois. He played an integral role in the state’s decision to exempt YMCAs and similar organizations from certain restrictive state licensing requirements for school-age camps and childcare.
Prior to his position at the Fox Valley Family YMCA, Bobbitt served as COO of the Summit Area YMCA in New Jersey and as branch executive director of the YMCA of the Sierra in Reno, Nev. Over the years, he has volunteered with several civic organizations and served as a board member for the local Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, the American Heart Association and the Marmion Academy in Aurora, Ill.
He completed a Bachelor of Science degree in exercise and sport science from Colorado State University.
The Saratoga Regional YMCA has branches in Saratoga Springs, Wilton, Corinth, Battenkill and Malta.