Our Staff

Mike Brown is CEO & President of the Georgia Mountains YMCA serving 8 counties in the Northeast Georgia Community. This includes: Hall, White, Fannin, Union, Towns, Dawson, Gilmer and Lumpkin Counties. Mike is 36 years old and came to Georgia in January 2002. Mike has a combined YMCA service record of 18 years serving 5 YMCA associations in California, Houston and Georgia. Mike has his Masters in Human Services, from Springfield College. Mike’s role as a father, husband, and CEO are very important as he works to demonstrate a healthy balance in his life.p>

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Dave Holmes has served in at least seven Human Resource Leadership and Director roles over his 30 year career. Dave’s background within the Human Resources area includes Compensation Mgt, Employee Relations, Performance Mgt, Benefits Administration, Mediation-Problem Resolution, EEOC compliance, Staffing and Recruiting, Training & Development, and Employee Recognition. He is the father of two Daughters, and has been married to his wife Beverly for 34 years. He is the proud Grandfather of Abbie, Colby, and Evie, ages 1-5.

JJ Edge has been with the Georgia Mountains YMCA since August of 2006 and is the Grant Administrator with the Hall County Community YMCA Branch. JJ ensures compliance with the 21st Century Community Learning Center funding, which provides free afterschool care for over 1100 children each day.

JJ has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mercer University in Sociology and a second major in Program in Leadership & Community Service with a minor in education. She and her husband, Jim, have lived in Gainesville for five years where they are members of Lakewood Baptist Church

Karen Miller has been with the Georgia Mountains YMCA since 2003 performing many key positions. Karen is currently Sr. Human Resource Assistant / Payroll Administrator for this not for profit organization of 300 plus employees. Past experience as Executive Assistant to YMCA CEO included oversight of all planning and organization of corporate functions and administrative projects.

Karen holds an Executive Assistant Certificate and Data Entry Training from Lanier Tech in addition to High School Diploma. She plans to further develop her interests in accounting this fall.

She’s a wife and mother of 3 children with one grandchild of the 26 years of marriage. Born and raised in Gainesville Georgia and an active member of The Master’s Table church currently serving as Youth Pastor with her husband Johnny.

Barbara J. Schaefer has been with the Georgia Mountains YMCA for fifteen months starting as a volunteer in the Association Office. Hired quickly, was assigned to the Accounts Payable Department in support of our CFO. In addition, has handled multiple tasks both administrative and accounting.

Barbara’s “can do” attitude is impacted by over thirty years of customer service work in real estate through several states along the East Coast and holds several licenses/certificates in various disciplines. Born in Buffalo, NY and raised in the Finger Lakes Region of Western New York, Barbara has one son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren residing in Gainesville.