MANCHESTER, NH – The Granite YMCA is pleased to announce the appointment of David Ports as its new President and CEO, effective July 8, 2019. David was selected by the Y’s CEO Search Committee, following a four-month search.
“David’s heartfelt passion for the Y cause and his proven capacities as an organizational and community leader profoundly impressed our Board and the many community leaders who stepped forward to help guide our extensive search,” said Stephen Lubelczyk, Granite Y Chair. “I believe the Granite Y is now exceedingly well-positioned to expand our impact on our local communities; to do so with a longtime resident of New Hampshire with expansive national experience is all the more gratifying.”
“I am honored to accept the responsibility to lead this historic Y. Over its 165-year history, The Granite YMCA has been a place of refuge, learning, support, and opportunity for hundreds of thousands of people. I am proud of the role that The Granite YMCA has played in the lives of the people in southern and seacoast NH and am honored that you have chosen me to continue that extraordinary work,” said Mr. Ports
David Ports comes to the Y with 23 years of demonstrated success in the Y movement, most recently serving the YMCA of the USA as the Resource Director for California and the Northeast for 8 years. While there, David worked with 52 YMCAs and completed over 200 strategic projects and over 50 effective strategic planning processes. He provided leadership and support to the California State Alliance to transition from an informal organization to a fully incorporated alliance with an Executive Director. David also established the first ever state-wide YMCA Leaders Conference, which now has 400 attendees.
Prior to his work with the YMCA of the USA, David was the CEO for the Greater Missoula Family YMCA, which served 7,600 members and 15,560 program participants. Under his leadership, membership participation increased from 5,600 to 7,600 and youth program participation increased over 60% to 15,560. Additionally, David helped to increase engaged volunteers for the board of directors, established an endowment program, and increased the Y’s annual Partners for Youth fundraising campaign by 460%.
David holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of New Hampshire with additional certifications in YMCA Organizational Leadership and YMCA Executive Development. He has recognized expertise in strategic thinking and planning, governance, financial development, fiscal management, and operations.
Lubelczyk concludes “We could not be more excited about the Granite Y’s next chapter with David as our CEO. We look forward to welcoming him as our leader; we do so with the confidence that he will build upon our Y colleagues’ ongoing efforts to enrich the lives of the community members we serve across the state.”
