For the first time in 21 years, the YMCA of Snohomish County has a new president and chief executive officer.
Scott Washburn officially began his job Monday, taking over from Jerry Beavers, who had been the organization’s chief executive since 1987.
Washburn said he’s been a friend and colleague of Beavers for two decades. “I know quite a bit about Snohomish County and know that Jerry has done a wonderful job building the YMCA,” he said.
“I’ve been doing this work for 28 years and want to spend the last one-third of my career building on something that’s been made pretty special by someone else,” Washburn said.
Washburn has spent his career working for the YMCA, beginning in 1980 as a program director for the Central Florida YMCA in Orlando, Fla.
He joined the YMCA of Greater Seattle in 2000, where he worked as a senior vice president and chief operations officer.
“I’m excited to be part of this organization,” Washburn said, noting that the YMCA of Snohomish County had reached its goal earlier this year of raising $1 million for its Invest in Youth Campaign.
The fund helps pay for child care and after-school programs, reduced-price memberships for adults and children and for programming at area YMCA branches.
Washburn said he thinks there’s a great opportunity for the organization to work in collaboration with other groups to help reduce obesity among kids.
The YMCA of Greater Seattle worked with Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Seattle and other groups on the issue he said.
“I think there’s a role the YMCA can play in public information, advocacy and making sure we remove barriers and road blocks to healthier lifestyles,” Washburn said.
Reporter Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com.
The Scott Washburn file
New president and chief executive officer of the YMCA of Snohomish County
Age: 51
Education: Bachelors degree in biology from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill; master’s degree in leisure and environmental resources administration from George Williams College.
Family: He and his wife, Cheryl Washburn, have two children, daughter Sarah Washburn, 22, and son AJ Washburn, 21.
In 2007, the YMCA of Snohomish County:
n Had more than 69,300 adults and children participate in programs at its six branches in Everett, Marysville, Monroe, Mukilteo, Southeast Everett and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
n Was the largest child care provider in Snohomish County serving more than 1,500 children at 30 sites in seven school districts and 52 schools.
n Had more than 33,500 adults participate in wellness and fitness activities such as aerobics, swimming, basketball, yoga, martial arts, racquet sports and weight training.
n Provided $1.7 million in financial assistance to allow more than 4,500 kids and adults to participate in YMCA programs.
Source: YMCA
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
