Georgia Mountains YMCA Announces New CEO

Georgia Mountains YMCA introduces its new president and CEO, Lane Walberg.

By Georgia Mountains YMCA

February 8, 2023

After a nationwide search, the Georgia Mountains YMCA Board of Directors selected Lane Walberg, former Senior Vice President of Operations of the YMCA of Memphis and the Mid South, as their new President and CEO. Walberg has been in Gainesville for about five months now. “I am both excited and humbled to serve as the CEO of the Georgia Mountains YMCA. To come along side our dedicated board of directors and the passionate employees of our Y is something that has energized me since I interviewed and moved to Gainesville. I firmly believe we stand on the shoulders of those that have come before us, and it is our responsibility to build on the impact and change lives in our community for generations.”

Our board of directors’ CEO selection committee had a great responsibility to carefully and thoughtfully choose a new President and CEO from amongst a group of diverse and impressive candidates,” said Ben Jarrad, Board Chair, Georgia Mountains YMCA Board of Directors. “In Lane Walberg we found a leader with the experience to grow and advance our Y, and continue to serve the ever changing needs of our community in a relevant manner.” Jarrad would like to express his sincerest thanks to the CEO Selection Committee for all their commitment to the process.

Walberg’s Y career spans 18 years including experience at all levels of leadership in various size YMCA associations, including: Memphis, Tennessee, Jackson, Mississippi, Charlotte, North Carolina, and St. Petersburg, Florida.

When asked what he’s most excited about regarding the Y, Walberg said “I’m not sure I can choose one area to be most excited about. There are so many areas of service to be excited for in the future. We have the privilege to serve thousands of children, families and members through our Afterschool program, Early Learning Centers, and at the J.A. Walters Family YMCA.   With so many miles of water front in Hall County, I do think it’s important we continue to equip all of our youth with the life skill of water safety and swimming.”

Lane and his wife, Mary Kate, have seamlessly transitioned to Northeast Georgia and are enjoying all Gainesville has to offer.

About the Georgia Mountains YMCA

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The Georgia Mountains YMCA, comprised of one membership location, two child development centers, and 20+ Afterschool sites, nurtures the potential of children and teens, improves our community’s health and well-being, and provides opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Deeply rooted in the community for 27 years, the Georgia Mountains YMCA (formerly Hall County YMCA) has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. https://www.gamountainsymca.org/