ORLANDO, Fla. – (February 3, 2021)
The YMCA of Central Florida announced today that Dan Wilcox, President and CEO of the nonprofit organization since 2014, will retire at the end of 2021 following a rewarding 38-year career at the YMCA.
“Little could I have imagined when I signed up as a part-time racquetball instructor at the Y in Janesville, Wisconsin that I would have discovered a life-long, fulfilling passion through the YMCA,” said Wilcox. “For me, the Y quickly became more than work. It became a calling. I will leave with a heart full of gratitude and fully confident that our Y mission will continue to thrive in Central Florida for generations to come.”
The YMCA of Central Florida Board of Directors, led by Pete Krzyzak, Board Chair, will conduct a nationwide search for Wilcox’s successor with support from the YMCA of the USA. While Dan continues to lead the organization in the coming months, the Board will aim to identify the next President and CEO to allow ample time for a smooth transition.
“Dan’s dedication to the Y, coupled with the imprint of his leadership on so many thousands of lives and his passion for service, is unrivaled. While we will miss him as a leader, role model, and friend, he has the Board’s full support and we wish him all the best in this new season,” said Krzyzak. “The Board’s intent will be to find a candidate who can lead the Y’s reemergence from these challenging times to deliver even greater impact across our community, and who advances what Y leaders like Dan have championed for decades so that all of our neighbors have the same opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.”
Wilcox joined the YMCA of Central Florida 23 years ago as Chief Operating Officer and oversaw transformational growth which more than tripled the size of the association before rising to lead as President and CEO in 2014. Previously, Dan served in leadership roles at the YMCA of Greater Charlotte, North Carolina and the YMCA of Greater Houston, Texas.
Throughout his career, Wilcox specialized in strengthening diverse communities and helping people reach their highest potential in spirit, mind, and body through the Y’s services and programs. In Central Florida, he forged strong, community-wide partnerships with leading organizations like the Dr. Phillips Charities, invested in technological advancements, and championed significant fundraising efforts that provided resources to meet growing community needs. He also led the expansion of new facilities, the creation of innovative new virtual wellness programs, and the development of youth programs for kids across the age continuum. These youth development programs include the launch of the life-saving Safe Start infant drowning prevention program, enrichment programs for preschoolers and middle-schoolers in YMCA Before and After School programs, and the Teen Achievers college readiness program.
Wilcox contributes as a key community builder and thought leader at the local, state, and national levels. He serves on the Orange County Mayor’s Economic Recovery Taskforce, as the Vice-Chair for the Florida State Alliance of YMCAs, and as a board member for Dr. Phillips Charities. In addition, Dan recently served on the YMCA of the USA’s Strategic Planning Committee and Nationwide Membership Taskforce.
About the YMCA of Central Florida
The YMCA of Central Florida is one of the area’s largest nonprofits, serving hundreds of thousands of Central Floridians per year through a focus on Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility. With a Christian-based mission to improve lives and communities, it operates YMCA locations across six counties. This mission is expanded beyond the four walls of the Y through community-based programs to combat chronic disease, boost children’s after-school safety and learning, and strengthen neighborhoods. To learn more, visit ymcacf.org and follow on Facebook or Instagram.