YMCA of Central Mass. appoints new CEO

Photo | Courtesy David Connell will become the YMCA of Central Massachusetts president and CEO on June 3.

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By Grant Welker

David Connell has been named the new president and CEO of the YMCA of Central Massachusetts, replacing the retiring longtime head Kathy Hunter.

Connell, who is now the nonprofit's vice president and chief human resource officer, will take over in the new role June 3.

Connell has been with the Worcester-based YMCA since 2007, and in his current role, he manages day-to-day operations for three branches and two campuses, including five directors, 250 staff members and an operating budget of $6.6 million. He led the opening of its Leominster branch, which added 1,300 members to the organization, and served as interim executive director and CEO of the Montachusett Regional YMCA in Fitchburg.

The YMCA of Central Massachusetts has two branches in Worcester and others in Leominster, Fitchburg, Southbridge and Westborough. The YMCA of Central Massachusetts and Tri-Community YMCA of Southbridge merged last year.

Nearly 70,000 are expected to use services this year at one of the six branches and other off-site camps and program centers, the YMCA said.

Prior to joining the YMCA, Connell worked in banking, including as senior vice president and district sales manager with Citizens Financial Group in Cambridge, senior vice president anddistrict manager with Fleet Boston Financial in Boston, and vice president and sales and service area manager with BankBoston in Boston and Worcester.