The YMCA in Bath has given its interim chief executive officer the role permanently.

The Bath Area Family YMCA last month announced its interim CEO Amy Vendt, is taking over the role long-term after stepping in the previous summer. She will work alongside Chief Operating Officer Will Gunther, who stepped into his role in October last year after serving in leadership roles across several YMCAs in Georgia, Missouri and Florida.

Vendt is replacing former CEO Rob Gray, who departed last year for a CEO role at the Heart of the Valley YMCA in Huntsville, Alabama. She took on the interim role to help with the transition after Gray left.

This year marks the 170th year of the Bath Y, one of the oldest associations in the country, with a planned celebration of that milestone expected this summer.

“We’re planning a big party to recognize the impact we’ve had on the community in the 170 years, celebrate some of our milestones, and how much this Y has meant to Bath but also the surrounding towns,” Vendt said.

Vendt brings more than 30 years of experience with the YMCA and previously served as the COO of the Bath Y for two years, developing strategic community partnerships, leading capital projects and strengthening organizational culture through a focus on diversity and inclusion.

“The [Bath] Y has always been about meeting community needs, and I’m inspired by the opportunity to continue that work,” Vendt said.

Prior to joining the Bath Y, Vendt was the executive director of the Central Maryland YMCA, which had 9,000 members.

The Times Record Sustaining Sponsor
We believe a community must be informed to thrive. bowdoin.edu