After more than five years as president and chief executive officer of the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee and 30 years with the organization, Robert Yamachika will retire at the end of 2013, the organization announced Monday.
“(Yamachika) really embodies the spirit of the Y movement in all regards,” said Board Chair Bob Venable. “He’s been a tremendous leader and I think has led by example and obviously the Y is much stronger today and very well positioned today thanks to Bob’s leadership.”
Venable credits Yamachika for his successful leadership efforts in the face of a weak economy.
“He did a tremendous job of helping us navigate through those challenging times while continuing our focus on social responsibility, youth development and healthy living,” Venable said.
The organization is finalizing a search committee that will conduct a national search in narrowing down the right candidate to take over for Yamachika. The YMCA hopes to fill the position by mid-2013, according to Venable.
The organization, which serves more than 100,000 members and more than 25,000 community participants, looks forward to a very smooth transition process going forward, he said.
