Greater Peoria Family YMCA announces Andrew Thornton as new CEO.
May 08, 2017
Andy Thornton Brings Extensive Experience in Community Collaborations, Philanthropy and Program Development.
Greater Peoria Family YMCA announced today that T. Andrew “Andy” Thornton will serve as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective June 05, 2017. He will succeed Dan Chonowski who had served as CEO for 17 years before retiring at the end of October.
Andy currently serves as CEO at the Sterling-Rock Falls YMCA, a position he has held since 2010, and has more than 19 years of experience in Y work. Thornton’s impressive track record of executing significant initiatives that seek to improve local communities made him an ideal choice to lead the Greater Peoria Family YMCA.
“We are privileged to welcome Andy to our YMCA,” said Todd Huson, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Greater Peoria Family YMCA. “Andy is an innovative Cause-Driven Leader with an unparalleled commitment to youth and families in the communities he serves. Andy has impacted youth and families through Y initiatives like resident camp, academic enrichment, summer meals, adult programming and much more to provide people the opportunities to thrive and grow. We were fortunate to have had many fine candidates that applied for this positon, and Andy rose to the top as our choice to lead the Y and create greater impact with our cause-driven work.”
“I am grateful for the opportunity to lead an organization that has such a meaningful impact on the lives of families,” said Thornton. “The YMCA has consistently found innovative ways to address critical social needs, and I look forward to continuing that vital work back home serving the Greater Peoria region. As a tenured leader in the YMCA, I’ve had numerous opportunities to work side by side with hundreds of great leaders in many different communities. I’m blessed to have gained great insight, knowledge and resources that I can bring with me to develop strategies that will help address significant community needs in the region. I’m excited to be given the opportunity to lead a dynamic staff team and work side by side with committed and engaged volunteers that understand the importance of developing strong community partnerships to advance the mission of the Y, while supporting the mission of its partners. The most successful YMCA’s in the country understand that the greatest impact is developed and sustained when collaborations are created to meet the needs.”
A native of Mapleton, IL, and graduate of Illini Bluffs High School, Andy began his Y career at the now-closed downtown location of the Greater Peoria Family YMCA in 1995 as Program Director. He has served the Sterling-Rock Falls Family YMCA in Illinois as CEO since 2010. Under his leadership, the Y’s budget grew from $1.7M to $2.6M; total contributions grew 55% or $210K, including the annual campaign that increased by more than $100K; membership and program revenue also saw significant increases, as well. Andy served as Branch Executive Director of the YMCA of Southwest Illinois’ Collinsville branch from (2006-2010) and as Senior Program Director at the Canton Family Y (2002-2006). He has served on the Illinois State Alliance of Y’s Board of Directors since 2011, serving as Chairman from 2013-2015. Andy earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Recreation and Park Administration from Illinois State University in Normal. He and his wife, Dawn, with their 4 children, will be relocating to the Peoria area.
For the past 160 years, the Greater Peoria Family YMCA has been a community-based service organization committed to building the mind, body and spirit for members of the Peoria area communities. By offering value-based programs emphasizing youth development, healthy living and social responsibility for all regardless of sex, race or socio-economic status, the YMCA is increasing the quality of life by building healthy, confident, connected and secure children, adults, families and communities in the Greater Peoria area.
Greater Peoria Family YMCA announced today that T. Andrew “Andy” Thornton will serve as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective June 05, 2017. He will succeed Dan Chonowski who had served as CEO for 17 years before retiring at the end of October.
Andy currently serves as CEO at the Sterling-Rock Falls YMCA, a position he has held since 2010, and has more than 19 years of experience in Y work. Thornton’s impressive track record of executing significant initiatives that seek to improve local communities made him an ideal choice to lead the Greater Peoria Family YMCA.
“We are privileged to welcome Andy to our YMCA,” said Todd Huson, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Greater Peoria Family YMCA. “Andy is an innovative Cause-Driven Leader with an unparalleled commitment to youth and families in the communities he serves. Andy has impacted youth and families through Y initiatives like resident camp, academic enrichment, summer meals, adult programming and much more to provide people the opportunities to thrive and grow. We were fortunate to have had many fine candidates that applied for this positon, and Andy rose to the top as our choice to lead the Y and create greater impact with our cause-driven work.”
“I am grateful for the opportunity to lead an organization that has such a meaningful impact on the lives of families,” said Thornton. “The YMCA has consistently found innovative ways to address critical social needs, and I look forward to continuing that vital work back home serving the Greater Peoria region. As a tenured leader in the YMCA, I’ve had numerous opportunities to work side by side with hundreds of great leaders in many different communities. I’m blessed to have gained great insight, knowledge and resources that I can bring with me to develop strategies that will help address significant community needs in the region. I’m excited to be given the opportunity to lead a dynamic staff team and work side by side with committed and engaged volunteers that understand the importance of developing strong community partnerships to advance the mission of the Y, while supporting the mission of its partners. The most successful YMCA’s in the country understand that the greatest impact is developed and sustained when collaborations are created to meet the needs.”
A native of Mapleton, IL, and graduate of Illini Bluffs High School, Andy began his Y career at the now-closed downtown location of the Greater Peoria Family YMCA in 1995 as Program Director. He has served the Sterling-Rock Falls Family YMCA in Illinois as CEO since 2010. Under his leadership, the Y’s budget grew from $1.7M to $2.6M; total contributions grew 55% or $210K, including the annual campaign that increased by more than $100K; membership and program revenue also saw significant increases, as well. Andy served as Branch Executive Director of the YMCA of Southwest Illinois’ Collinsville branch from (2006-2010) and as Senior Program Director at the Canton Family Y (2002-2006). He has served on the Illinois State Alliance of Y’s Board of Directors since 2011, serving as Chairman from 2013-2015. Andy earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Recreation and Park Administration from Illinois State University in Normal. He and his wife, Dawn, with their 4 children, will be relocating to the Peoria area.
For the past 160 years, the Greater Peoria Family YMCA has been a community-based service organization committed to building the mind, body and spirit for members of the Peoria area communities. By offering value-based programs emphasizing youth development, healthy living and social responsibility for all regardless of sex, race or socio-economic status, the YMCA is increasing the quality of life by building healthy, confident, connected and secure children, adults, families and communities in the Greater Peoria area.
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