Submitted by South Sound YMCA
Mike West, a 34-year YMCA veteran who has served as the President and CEO of the South Sound YMCA (Y) for the past 20 years, has announced to the Y’s Board of Trustees that he plans to retire by the end of 2015.
West is grateful for his lifetime career with the Y and is ready to embrace retirement. Mike said, “I have had an amazing 34-year adventure with the Y. I am looking forward to spending time with family and pursuing other interests that have been postponed over the years.”
The Y is volunteer-founded, volunteer-governed, and volunteer-supported. The Board of Trustees, with assistance from the Y of the USA, will coordinate the search for the next CEO, working with Mike to ensure a seamless transition to its next leader. The hiring process is expected to take approximately 6 to 9 months.
While the Board of Trustees focuses on the search and hiring process, Mike will continue in his position as President and CEO, with a primary emphasis on overseeing operations and continuing to foster the Y’s culture, focusing on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
West said, “I have been honored to serve as President and CEO for 20 years. A visionary Board, amazingly talented staff and colleagues, unmatched volunteers and members, and supportive community have surrounded me. Their support and willingness to work collaboratively towards increasing our impact to those we serve has been unmatched. My heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributes to the mission of the Y.”
Over West’s tenure with the South Sound YMCA, the organization has grown from a single Association to a multi-branch Association serving over 50,000 individuals annually via their Olympia Downtown Branch, Briggs Community Branch, Early Childhood Development programs, and community outreach programs. The Y is the largest licensed child care provider in Thurston County, including before- and after-school child care in 29 schools in Thurston and Lewis Counties, as well as a full-day child care center in collaboration with South Puget Sound Community College. West has been instrumental in expanding the Y’s traditional gym, swim, and youth sports to include cause-driven community-needs programming for cancer survivors, child obesity, diabetes prevention, and summer learning loss.
West also serves as a member of the Washington State Governor’s Council, Co-Chair with the Secretary of Health on the Leadership Circle of the Washington Department of Health for Community Transformation – a $3.2 million dollar grant from the Center for Disease Control, a 12-year member and current chair of the Washington State Alliance of YMCAs, and a past Board member and member of various task forces for numerous local community organizations.
West said, “Among my proudest accomplishments is the volunteer and staff team we have built here. I have every confidence in their leadership and skill. In partnership, they will continue our cause-driven direction and help the Y reach new heights.”
Steve Hatton, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, said, “Mike has a gift for engaging with and empowering his staff, members, and the community. His leadership and passion for youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility have helped to encourage and transform thousands of lives. Mike has built a foundation that will allow the South Sound YMCA to thrive in the future. His impact has been far-reaching, and the entire South Sound community is indebted to Mike.”
