Penobscot Bay YMCA names Melissa Bellew as new CEO

Wed, 01/24/2018 - 8:15am

Story Location:
116 Union Street
Rockport, ME 04856
United States

Melissa Brings Six Years of YMCA Experience to Organization

 

The Penobscot Bay YMCA has named Melissa Bellew as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective February 5, 2018. Unanimously selected by the Y's Board of Directors following a three month search, Melissa will succeed Troy Curtis who stepped down in November 2017. In her new role, Melissa will be responsible for implementing the Y's mission to provide high quality services that meet the youth development, healthy living and social needs of individuals and families in the communities the Y serves.  

Board Chair Jill Delano stated, "During our search for a new CEO we looked at many qualified candidates from all over the country, but Melissa stood out as being exactly what we were looking for in a leader. In addition to running the flagship location in Rockport, the CEO oversees our other sites including the Rockland Harbor YMCA, Flanagan Community Center, North Haven Fitness and Wellness Center and the Teen Center in Camden. Beyond bringing her experience managing multiple Y branches, Melissa has demonstrated a passion for collaboration and community engagement, and a vision for elevating the Y's role as a cornerstone of healthy living in our community. The board is delighted to welcome Melissa to the Penobscot Bay YMCA!"

 "I am thrilled and honored to join the passionate volunteers and staff at the Penobscot Bay YMCA," said Melissa.  "The YMCA's socially responsible community impact drives both my personal and professional work as a youth development and healthy living advocate.  I will bring my heart and soul to the mid-coast region to help strengthen a lasting legacy for our families and children."

Melissa brings six years of professional YMCA cause-driven leadership, most recently serving as the District Executive Director the Capital District YMCA in New York overseeing the Schenectady and Duanesberg branches for the past two years. She previously served as that Association's Director of Program and Membership Engagement and as Director of Member and Wellness Initiatives at the YMCA of Central Kentucky in Lexington. Prior to her Y career, Melissa was a practicing attorney for twenty four years, serving much of her career as a Public Defender for the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy where she managed major crimes indigent defense and tried over 100 cases to jury.

Melissa earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Kentucky College of Law in Lexington and graduated magna cum laude from Eastern Kentucky University with a B.A. in English and Spanish. She holds a number of YMCA certifications, including YMCA Organizational Leader, Faculty Instructor for LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA and is a certified instructor for the YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program. She is also a dedicated distance hiker and a Licensed Category 2 cyclist who has spent significant time in Acadia and Maine's state parks.

Since its founding in 1915, the Penobscot Bay YMCA organization has grown and evolved into a large and important part of the mid-coast community celebrating its 100th birthday in 2015. The largest provider of childcare and summer camp in the area, the Penobscot Bay Y serves over 24,000 children, teens, adults and seniors each year. Call 236.3375 or visit www.penbayymca.org to learn more, donate, or find out how you can become a member.