The Central Lincoln County YMCA has named Casey Clark Kelley as its new chief executive officer, effective July 1, 2020. Selected by the Y’s Board of Directors, following a six-month search, Clark Kelley succeeds Meagan Hamblett who stepped down in January of this year. In her new role, Clark Kelley will be responsible for multiple key initiatives including; recovery planning in response to COVID 19, strategic plan update with the board of directors and development of an endowment program.

“During our search for a new CEO, we looked at high quality candidates from throughout the Northeast, but Casey continued to stand out throughout the process. Her creative thinking and vision for the CLC Y is exactly what we were looking for in a leader. Casey is collaborative in her approach to tasks, professional and completely dedicated to the CLC Y. She understands the operations of the Y and been focused, thoughtful, and decisive in her role as interim CEO. She has the respect of the staff and the members of the Y community. We are lucky to have her accept this position” Cindy Wade, chair of the CLC Board.

“I grew up in the Y, taking swim lessons when I was a kid, playing basketball as a teen, and serving as a camp counselor throughout my college summers. This is a place that changed me for the better and I’m thrilled to be able to give back. I am thrilled to continue leadership of this wonderful organization,” said Clark Kelley. “The Y has been part of my entire life, from learning to swim, to participating in gymnastics, to spin class as an adult, but when I moved to Jefferson, and made the membership switch from the Bath Y to the CLC Y, little did I know that I was going to be inspired by a community so much that I shifted my career path. I’ve found my true passion in community service work and I look forward to the opportunity to lead the CLC YMCA moving forward.”

Clark Kelley comes to the role with five years of YMCA experience, serving as interim CEO for the past five months, and prior to that, as the first CLC director of operations. In that capacity, Clark Kelley oversaw the startup of the Evidence Based Health Initiatives (EBHI) Program for CLC and Boothbay YMCAs, and became a Y-USA Peer Mentor for one of these programs – supporting 13 YMCAs nationally. Prior to working for CLC YMCA, Clark Kelley worked for SportPort Active, a high-end athletic appeal apparel company, as the creative director in charge of sales, marketing and design.

Casey Clark Kelley grew up in Bath Phippbsurg, Maine, holds an English degree from the University of Maine at Augusta, and is a three-time published novelist.