Tom Beerntsen
President/CEO

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The YMCA builds strong kids, strong families and strong communities. Never has this mission been more important than it is today. I am delighted to be your President/CEO. My wife Penny and I sold our third generation family business so that I might return to the not-for-profit sector.

My dream was to find an organization with an important mission. If the organization was involved in strengthening kids and families that would be ideal. I wanted to work with a talented, able, committed staff and board that faced a challenging agenda in the belief that success would mean a better future for the communities it served. The Heritage YMCA is exactly the challenge I was seeking and I am delighted to be a member of your community.

In a way, this was like coming home for us. Penny and I both attended and graduated from George Williams College when it was located in Downers Grove. Today, George Williams College is an important part of Aurora University. In fact, Penny taught swimming at the Naperville YMCA while we were in college. After graduation I worked as a Y professional in Iowa, South Dakota and Minnesota. The 21 years while I was President of our family's chocolate and candy business, I was deeply involved in the YMCA as a volunteer. Before coming to Naperville, I served as Chairman of the YMCA of the USA Board of Directors.

During those years I traveled as many as 100 days per year, as a volunteer, across America and around the world and witnessed first hand the incredible work the YMCA does with kids and families. I feel honored and privileged to have this opportunity to join with you to make the Heritage YMCA a more vital and valued part of your home communities.

My hope is that we might build on the good foundation that already exists and make this YMCA a source of pride for the residents of Aurora, Naperville and Oswego. Like any business, we are not without challenge. But I am convinced that challenge builds institutional character and strength.

How will we become better? I believe we will do so by providing excellent programs at affordable rates with capable, caring staff and exceptional customer service.

Please know your comments and suggestions are always welcome. I look forward to meeting and visiting with you soon.

Tom Beerntsen
President/CEO