A Letter from Grady

Dear Franklin County’s YMCA Members,

Good morning! I’m writing to share some personal news with you, our incredible Y community. After six truly remarkable years, I am stepping down as CEO of Franklin County’s Y effective June 30, 2025. It’s been an extraordinary journey—filled with bold, pandemic-sparked innovation, the triumphant rollout of our strategic plan, our transformation into a trusted, community-centered institution, and an exhilarating three-year surge in membership, programming, and fundraising. Now, I’m eager to explore my next big adventure.

You’ve probably noticed the incredible changes around our Y these past six years, and I’m thrilled to share that every upgrade—from the sparkling new pool deck and top-notch equipment to new tech systems and awesome improvements at Camp Apex—has been a team effort driven by my amazing colleagues. Together, we’ve also poured our hearts into fundraising, making sure more of you and your families can dive into our programs and feel right at home in Franklin County’s Y.

Our leadership team has worked hand-in-hand to grow childcare services, opening up new possibilities with the generous donation of the Zion Church as well as expansion of childcare to Bolger Center on the NMH campus in Gill. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, our team stepped up, keeping our core services running for you and laying a rock-solid foundation for our Y’s sustainable future. I’m so grateful for their unstoppable spirit—and for you, our members, who make it all worthwhile!

Serving as your CEO has been an honor and I’m deeply thankful for the chance to connect with so many of you at our Y. My wife, Merry and I have cherished our time in Franklin County, thanks to the warmth of this community. I’ll be here, working alongside our amazing staff, through June 30, focused on key goals to keep our Y thriving.

Dr. Joe Viadero and our Board are committed to finding an outstanding new CEO to lead Franklin County’s Y forward. The next leader will be fortunate to join a talented team and a vibrant community, just as I was fortunate to do so six years ago.

I look forward to thanking you in person over the coming weeks!

With heartfelt gratitude,