Berkshire Family YMCA Appoints New CEO
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Family YMCA's board of directors has appointed Jessica Rumlow as CEO and executive director for the organization.
Rumlow was appointed interim CEO and executive director in May after Randy Kinnas, the nonprofit's CEO for the last 19 years, moved on as director of Member Advancement for the Alliance of Massachusetts YMCAs.
"We're thrilled to work with Jess as the Y's new leader. Transition in leadership can pose several challenges; however, this has been seamless given her vast Y experience and understanding of the needs of the Berkshire County community," said Peter Moore, board president of the Berkshire Family YMCA. "We need her passion for the Y, vision and constancy as we embark on our capital campaign project."
Over the past several years, the Pittsfield Y has merged with the Northern Berkshire YMCA in North Adams, formed new partnerships with the Bennington (Vt.) Recreation Center and the Catholic Youth Center in Pittsfield, and intensively developed a plan to renovate and upgrade the Y's downtown Pittsfield location. All of this work has resulted in the expansion of critical childcare services, membership and programming throughout Berkshire County and beyond, positioning the Y to better serve the community far into the future.
The Berkshire Family YMCA currently operates facilities and program sites from Lenox, Mass., to Bennington, Vt., including three year-round facilities in Pittsfield, North Adams and Bennington, Vt., eight before- and after-school program sites, four child-care sites and three summer day camps.
"When my family and I moved to the area, we searched out the local Y. The Y made the transition easy," Rumlow said. "Pittsfield felt like home. I'm no stranger to Western Massachusetts, either. Until seventh grade, my family lived in Springfield, Mass., where my father worked in the paper industry.
"I'm looking forward to continuing to work with the community in this capacity. I'm particularly excited to be part of the Pittsfield Y's renovation project, from which the community will truly benefit."
Rumlow arrived in Pittsfield in 2013 with her husband and two children, the result of her husband’s job transfer with General Dynamics. She holds a master's degree in education and a bachelor's degree in communications. Passionate about the work of the Y, she began her Y career 11 years ago at the Southwood County YMCA in Central Wisconsin. Over those 11 years, she has held several positions offering her an in-depth look at how each role supports the organization's mission. She has the YMCA Team Leader Certification and she is in progress to receive her YMCA Organizational Leader Certification. She joined the Berkshire Family YMCA in 2013.
Rumlow is active on several nonprofit board of directors and committees, including the North Adams Rotary as chairman, Polar Bears Swim Team Parent Committee, Berkshire Compact, Berkshire United Way Advisory Group, and Belder Affordable Housing.
Jessica and her husband, Josh, reside in Pittsfield, where they are raising their two children, Evan, 8, and Hailey, 13.
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