The YMCA of Montclair has named Buddy Evans as its new president and chief executive officer, effective March 5, the organization said Thursday.
Selected by the Y’s Board of Directors following a four-month search, Evans will succeed former President and CEO Jo Ann Short, who stepped down in 2017, and Interim President and CEO Tim Weidman.
“During our nationwide search for a new President and CEO, Buddy stood out among the rest,” Victoria Herzberg, chair of the YMCA’s board, said in a statement.
“His energy and vision for the YMCA of Montclair is exactly what we were looking for in a leader to follow the successes of Short and Weidman,” Herzberg said. “With Buddy’s experience and passion towards the mission of the YMCA to strengthen individuals, families and communities in partnership with staff, members, volunteers, local businesses, schools, charities, and local and state government, we are convinced that the YMCA of Montclair will have fantastic leadership and successes for years to come.”
Evans comes to the YMCA of Montclair with 25 years of experience that began right out of graduate school with his work as Youth Services Director at the Greater Fall River YMCA. He is currently at the YMCA of South Florida, where he is the executive vice president of operations.
“I’m thrilled to join the YMCA of Montclair family and I’m excited to build upon the rich tradition of service by the YMCA of Montclair to its various communities,” Evans said in a statement.
“I see incredible potential for our Y to continue to have a meaningful and positive impact on Bloomfield, Cedar Grove, Clifton, Glen Ridge, Montclair, and Verona as we continue to strengthen the foundation of communities we serve through healthy living, youth development, and social responsibility,” he said.
At the YMCA of South Florida, Evans was responsible for mentoring and advising executive directors and vice presidents; managing daily operations of multiple Family Centers; and developing key strategic partnerships with local organizations including the Miami Heat, Miami Marlins, Cleveland Clinic Florida and Broward College.
Prior to the YMCA of South Florida, Evans was vice president of operations for the YMCA of Central Florida, executive director and group vice president at the Metro Atlanta YMCA, and held positions at the Newport County YMCA in Middletown, Rhode Island, and the Greater Fall River YMCA in Massachusetts.
He has a B.S. in quantitative economics from the University of Rhode Island and a M.S. in Sport Management from the U.S. Sports Academy.