FOR CITY TIMES

WISCONSIN RAPIDS — The John E. Alexander South Wood County YMCA board of directors has announced that its chief executive officer, Bret Salscheider, will be stepping down on September 23rd to become the new President & CEO of the YMCA of the Fox Cities.

Salscheider has served as CEO for the South Wood County YMCA for the past 10 years. During his tenure, the Y has seen unprecedented growth in community outreach, membership and collaborative partnerships. His work includes the successful completion of the state’s largest YMCA capital campaign of $28.5 million that resulted in the creation of a new YMCA and Boys & Girls Club facility – a facility that has garnered local and national recognition for its impact. In addition, he was responsible for the development of a new Department of Veteran Affairs – VA Clinic, a $400,000 renovation of the Port Edwards facility, as well as a new $1.25 million YMCA Healthy Living Center in Adams County. Membership has grown from serving just over 5,500 individuals annually to nearly 11,000.

“It has been an incredible honor and privilege to serve the amazing people of the Wood and Adams County communities over the past 10 years,” said Salscheider. “I am forever grateful for the many relationships and I am extremely proud of the work that our staff and volunteers have accomplished. Although I will miss the people and the community, this will be a great opportunity for my wife and I to be closer to family. The Y is truly a force for good and will continue to transform lives for generations to come.”

In addition to leading the South Wood County YMCA, Salscheider has been involved in many community boards, organizations, and initiatives. He also serves on the Upper Midwest Alliance of YMCAs Board of Directors as its current Vice President. “The impact Bret has had on the lives of those in our community has been tremendous,” said Luke Weiland, South Wood County YMCA Board Chair. “His commitment and passion to the Y mission has been amazing to see first-hand as it has been accomplished from bottom to top and will serve as an extremely strong foundation for our Y’s future. Bret has leadership qualities that are just special. We look forward to the great things he will undoubtedly accomplish in the future with the Fox Cities YMCA as he begins another chapter of his career.“ The YMCA of the Fox Cities is the largest Y Association in Wisconsin with over 40,000 members, 6 full membership branches and nearly 1,200 staff. Salscheider will become the Association’s third President/CEO in its history, succeeding retiring CEO, William R. Breider III, on October 3rd.

Over the coming months, the Y and its Board of Directors will be working with YUSA to lead a nationwide search for Salscheider’s eventual successor.