Stevens Point YMCA names new CEO
Metro Wire Staff
The Stevens Point Area YMCA has named Sharon Johnson as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Johnson took over June 18, succeeding Dave Morgan, who stepped down Feb. 18, selected following a four-month search.
“During our search for a new CEO, we looked at candidates locally and from throughout the country, but Sharon Johnson stood out among the rest. Her energy and vision for the YMCA is exactly what we were looking for in a leader,” said Ben Martinsen, Chair of the Search Committee.
Brian Formella, Incoming Board Chair of the YMCA, pointed to Johnson’s experience with the YMCA in the Appleton area, saying with her “passion for the mission of the YMCA, we are convinced that the Stevens Point Area YMCA will have fantastic leadership for years to come.”
Johnson grew up in Menomonee Falls, where she completed high school and then continued on at the University of Wisconsin—Oshkosh where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in December 1992.
After graduation, Johnson landed her first job with the Appleton YMCA as the head gymnastics coach for the Heart of the Valley Program Center in February 1993. After marrying her husband, Lance in 1994, Johnson had two children, Morgan, 21, and 17-year-old Evan, she worked her way up to Branch Executive Director prior to the opening of the full-facility Heart of the Valley YMCA in September 2002.
Johnson also completed her Master’s Degree from Springfield College in Organizational Management and Leadership in 2012 and has remained the Heart of the Valley YMCA Executive Director for the past 15 years.
“I am honored and excited to join the Stevens Point Area YMCA staff team and Board of Directors as the new CEO,” Johnson said. “Our daughter has attended the University of Wisconsin—Stevens Point for the past three years so my family and I know the area well and are looking forward to immersing ourselves in the community and culture of Portage County.”