I believe I can continue to build and expand the organization’s efforts to impact even more service members and families in the years ahead.
Springfield, VA (PRWEB) December 09, 2014
The National Board of Directors of the Armed Services YMCA elected William D. French as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), a post he will assume following the retirement of current President and CEO, Mike Landers, on April 30th, 2015.
Vice Admiral French retired in October 2014 with over 35 years of service in the US Navy. His career included six command positions, more than a decade of managing naval personnel programs, and has been dedicated to supporting Sailors and their families.
"Bill’s dedication to the mission of the Armed Services YMCA, his innovative work in all facets of military family development programs, along with his focus on fiscal responsibility and the recognized need for increased fundraising efforts made him the perfect person for the job," said Lee Baxter, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, who led a six month, comprehensive search for the position.
"As we considered candidates, there was simply no one who could compare to Bill in terms of breadth of experience, dynamic leadership skills and passion for the Armed Services YMCA mission. We feel extremely confident in his ability to lead the Armed Services YMCA into the future as a cause-driven organization focused on our young men and women in uniform and their families,” said Mike Dodson the Chairman of the Board of Directors.
French has a strong commitment to continue to build on the rich history of the Armed Services YMCA (celebrating 154 years of service to the Military in 2015). He has worked closely and served as a board member for a number of large, non-profit organizations dedicated to helping our service members. While serving as the Commander Navy Region Southwest in California, he partnered with the Armed Services YMCA to help identify the types of services that would compliment current programs and best support military service families.
“I am inspired by the Armed Services YMCA’s mission and their extensive program offerings and I believe I can continue to build and expand the organization’s efforts to impact even more service members and families in the years ahead, ” said French.
ABOUT ASYMCA
About the ASYMCA
- ASYMCA focuses support on junior enlisted (E-5 and below) and their families:
- They are the group most in need and critically need our support
- Typically 18-25 years old
- Over half are married
- 60% of family members are children
- Salaries are less than $24,000 annually
- Most have deployed multiple times
- The ASYMCA provides support to over 500,000 service members and their families annually. As the Depart of Defense makes budget cuts, we will be asked to provide additional services to bridge the gaps.
- Our more than 14,000 volunteers deliver almost 100,000 volunteer hours each year
- Eighty-eight cents of every dollar donated goes directly to support programs
- Charity Navigator ranks the ASYMCA in the top 2% of all charities they rate. In 2013, for the 8th consecutive year we received the highest (4-star) rating from Charity Navigator
- As a national member association of the YMCA of the USA, we operate more than 200 program centers nationwide at 32 branch and affiliate locations.
- In coordination with the DoD and installation commands, we work closely to identify gaps in support and services currently available, and tailor our programming to meet those needs