The Newton YMCA announced today the Y is restructuring to further increase its service to Jasper County and provide more positive programming for all ages.
Beginning Oct. 1, Executive Director Tom Vanderlaan will transition into a new role at the Y as Program Executive. The 20-year veteran of the YMCA will take on management of recreational and competitive sports, health and wellness and aquatics departments. The restructuring comes after more than 18 months of strategic planning led by Vanderlaan and the Y’s Board of Directors.
“My passion and background has always revolved around sports and working with kids and their development,” he said. “It’s who I am. I am excited about being able to put 100 percent of my work into hands-on, direct impact on kids and families.”
During Vanderlaan’s tenure as executive director the YMCA has remodeled its facilities, including new conference rooms, updates to all workout areas and the addition of child care to the main campus. He also has taken an active role in the community by serving on a variety of boards and committees. He facilitated disbursement of more than $150,000 a year in financial assistance, led collaborative efforts to further ties with the Newton High School Athletic Department, and helped bring competitive sports — basketball, volleyball and Little League baseball — under Y management.
“I love the YMCA and want to further see us grow to meet the needs of the community,” Vanderlaan said. “I see lots of potential for the YMCA and am excited about the new opportunity.”
With Vanderlaan’s new position, Director of Finance & Business Development Frank Buckley will take the helm of the Newton YMCA as Executive Director. Buckley has served in his current position for more than four years helping to develop partnerships with area businesses and organizations, managing the endowments and helping raise funds to help facilitate many upgrades to the YMCA. He is bringing more than three decades of management and leadership skills from corporate America to his new position.
“I’m extremely excited to see Tom get the opportunity to follow his passion with the development of sport leagues and programs. Having Tom lead this area is a huge win for our community and now places the Y in a more prominent role of youth sports development,” Buckley said. “With this change I have the opportunity to lead the Newton Y in our mission of fostering youth development, promoting healthy living and encouraging social responsibility.”
In addition to new positions for Vanderlaan and Buckley, Office Administrator Andy Karr will step into the role of director of Finance & Human Resource, effective immediately. With these changes, Board President Chantelle Lundberg said the YMCA will be positioned to provide more quality services to area residents.
“Speaking for the entire board we are in full support of our staff and their efforts in making the Newton YMCA the ‘go-to’ place in the community,” Lundberg said. “With Tom’s passion for youth and athletics and Frank’s strategic vision and leadership we will be in a position to not only serve the communities of Jasper County, but to grow into the future. This is a win-win for everyone, and I along with the entire board could not be more proud of the direction the YMCA is headed.”