Staunton and Waynesboro YMCAs forming partnership led by Josh Cole

WAYNESBORO — YMCA Board Chair Dave Mirra has announced that the Waynesboro YMCA has entered into a collaborative partnership with the Staunton-Augusta YMCA.

Josh Cole, chief executive officer of the Staunton-Augusta YMCA, will serve as chief executive for both facilities, with the volunteer leadership of each Y working cooperatively with Cole to chart the partnership’s path forward, according to a press release sent out Wednesday afternoon.

“The Waynesboro YMCA’s board of directors and I are extremely excited about the prospect of working collaboratively with and learning from Josh and our Staunton-Augusta YMCA neighbors,” Mirra said. “We are confident that this partnership will benefit our members, our partners and our community, keeping the Waynesboro YMCA on its current upward trajectory.”

Jay Parker, Interim CEO of the Waynesboro YMCA, is stepping down to become the Chief Operating Officer of the Rappahannock Area YMCA. Parker took on the role of interim CEO when Waynesboro's Jeff Fife stepped down at the end of last year.

“Jay did all of what we brought him here to do and more than we could have expected in the three plus months that he has been with us,” said Marcia Gieger, vice president of the Waynesboro YMCA’s board of directors.

Mirra also announced that Anne Hudlow will serve as the executive director of the Waynesboro YMCA. In her new role, Hudlow will manage day-to-day operations, providing leadership to the Waynesboro Y’s staff team and serving as the liaison to Cole.

Hudlow has been serving as the Waynesboro YMCA’s director of development for more than three years.

“I have enjoyed getting to know Anne and working with her as we prepared for the operational blending of the two Ys,” Cole said. “I look forward to getting to know the Waynesboro staff, Y members and community leaders over the coming months. I have every confidence that Anne will do a great job in her new role as the executive director of the Waynesboro YMCA.”

Cole has served as the CEO of the Staunton-Augusta YMCA for nearly ten years. Prior to assuming his current position Cole served in municipal recreation leadership positions for more than 20 years in Vermont and Massachusetts. Responsible for the oversight and management of both YMCA facilities and staff teams, Cole will work with both volunteer leadership groups to ensure effective, efficient, and impactful operations for the two Ys serving the residents of Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County

The Waynesboro YMCA and the Staunton-Augusta YMCA, under the direction of the YMCA of the USA, have entered into a formal management agreement. Working under this agreement, the YMCAs will maintain their autonomy while Cole serves as the CEO of both independent YMCAs. The arrangement affords the leadership of the cooperating organizations the opportunity to explore the many and varied service, operational and collaborative options available to them going forward.

“The Waynesboro YMCA’s strategic priorities to expand its reach, improve access, continue as a facilitator of like-minded people and remain a relevant provider for generations to come have not changed,” Mirra said. “I am confident that we can help each other better serve the people who live, learn, work and do business in Waynesboro, Staunton and throughout Augusta County.”

In the months ahead, the volunteer and staff leadership of the two YMCAs will work cooperatively to evaluate operations and continue to explore collaborative program, service and staffing options.

“The Staunton-Augusta YMCA Board and I are excited to be working with the Waynesboro team,” said James Hall, chief volunteer officer of the Staunton-Augusta YMCA. “We believe that our Ys can be catalysts for positive change, broad collaboration and transformational impact across Augusta County.”

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— Patrick Hite is The News Leader's education reporter. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and follow him on Twitter @Patrick_Hite. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Staunton, Waynesboro YMCA's forming collaborative partnership