Press Releases
Apr 21, 2011: YMCA of Florida’s First Coast Announces New President / CEO
Eric K. Mann, a 30-year YMCA professional, has been named the new President and CEO of the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast. Mann will be leaving his position as the CEO of the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh, and beginning his new role with the Y on the First Coast July 1, 2011.
The decision was made official by the YMCA’s Metropolitan Board of Directors on Monday after a national search was conducted to fill the position left vacant by the departure of Paul McEntire. McEntire was the CEO for more than three years, who moved on to become the Chief Operating Officer of the YMCA of Greater Houston earlier this month.
The Y, an organization dedicated to strengthening the foundations of community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, has always been the perfect fit for Mann, who first got involved with the Y to work with young people. He believes providing a good foundation for the young, and young-at-heart, is key in helping everyone experience a better life.
During his time at the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh, Mann led a major capital development effort that resulted in an additional $34 million for new downtown and urban Y facilities. He also spearheaded a wellness initiative called “Activate Pittsburgh,” focused on utilizing partnerships to increase the greater community’s access to an array of healthy living services.
Besides 15 family branches and two corporate health facilities, the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast includes more than 40 before and afterschool child care sites, a resident camp, two facilities for the permanently and profoundly disabled, a full-service preschool, several outreach centers, and a charter elementary school – all available to everyone, regardless of ability to pay.
“My personal mission in life is to help people,” Mann said, “and I look forward to aligning with others on the First Coast who share that passion. The staff, volunteers and community partners are ready to tackle some serious needs facing the community, and the First Coast Y will be fully engaged to champion that effort.”
ABOUT THE Y
For more than 100 years, the Y on the First Coast has been providing men, women and children of all ages, and from all walks of life, build stronger bonds, live healthy and become more engaged with their communities. Learn more: www.FirstCoastYMCA.org.
CONTACT
Nikos Westmoreland, Vice President of Communications
nwestmoreland@FirstCoastYMCA.org
904.265.1773
