The Tuscarawas County YMCA chairman of the board, William Singhaus, and Nathan Vaughan, chairman of the YMCA Board of Trustees, announced jointly the upcoming retirement of its executive director, slated for the summer of 2017. Executive director Keith Lands has served the Tuscarawas County YMCA since 1995 and has had a YMCA career of 40 years.
There was not a YMCA in my hometown of Circleville, Ohio, when I grew up. But while in college I learned about the YMCA, its Christian mission and the work that they were doing in so many communities around the world. It was then that I decided not to pursue a career in teaching but rather seek work within the YMCA, Lands said. I truly felt called to do it.
Lands began his career as a youth director at the Pickaway County YMCA of Central Ohio in 1977, overseeing Gra-Y, Indian Guides, youth sports and the Aquatics Department. He continued to serve at many other Ys including the Ransburg branch of the Indianapolis YMCA, the Monroe, Michigan YMCA and the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit. This experience led him to the Tuscarawas County YMCA, where he would spend the next 22 years growing the Y.
Since April 1, 1995, Lands has been instrumental in the development of programs, growing membership substantially and management of a budget that now exceeds $2 million. Five capital campaigns and three major building renovations and expansions occurred during his tenure including the Patton Center Gym in 1995; Phase III Campaign in 1999, which made possible the expansion of the YMCA Wellness Center; indoor track and Hanhart Chapel; and the Renew the Y Campaign and project in 2007, which added a new multipurpose room, youth room and new entrances and remodeled much of the original building at a cost of $3,000,000.
Lands has served on a number of Y-USA committees and was recognized as the YMCA CEO of the Year in 2007 by the Association of YMCA Professionals. The Tuscarawas County YMCA currently has over 125 employees and more than 300 programs and policy-making volunteers providing membership services, programs and activities for youth, families, adults and seniors in the areas of Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility.
The YMCA has been more than a job to me. It has been my life. I met my wife Becky through the Y, and both of my children have played, competed on sports and swim teams, and worked for the Y. My family literally grew up in the hallways of the Y. And now my grandchildren are benefiting from participating in YMCA programs, Lands said. I will always feel it was my calling to work for the YMCA, where everyone can help make a difference every day in the lives of young people and families.
Lands connection to the Tuscarawas County community reached more than Y members. He has served as part of the Dover Rotary for over 21 years, serving as president and assistant district governor. He served on the Tuscarawas County Chamber of Commerce Board and their Membership and Ambassadors Committees. He was an active member of the Tuscarawas Football Officials Association as a high school football official for 26 years, both in Ohio and Michigan, as board president and the instructor for new officials. He was inducted into the Tuscarawas Football Officials Hall of Fame this year.
A transition committee has been formed by the Board of Directors of the Tuscarawas County YMCA to seek a replacement for Lands. The committee is led by committee chairman Nathan Vaughan with Becky Mastin, Bob Gerber, Jim Boose and Jay Deeds serving as committee members. The committee is being assisted by Kathy Finney, South Central Ohio resource director YMCA of the USA, and Francine Gill, senior director CEO Search Department YMCA of the USA.
After two decades of service, filling Mr. Landss shoes will be a tall order; however, our committee is committed to finding the best candidate to serve the Tuscarawas County YMCA and its members for many years to come. We are also in great hands with the YMCA of the USA transition team, Vaughan said.
