Glen Ellyn Y picks 1st new director in 20 years

For the first time in 20 years, the B.R. Ryall YMCA in Glen Ellyn will have a new face at the helm.

Longtime Naperville resident and Heritage YMCA Group Vice President of Resource Development Walter Johnson has been picked to lead the facility, becoming the first new executive director since Ed Knapp took the position in 1990.

Knapp announced his retirement during an executive committee meeting in November.

Johnson said residents should not expect much of a change initially, although he said his goal is to be as visible as possible.

"I'm an outgoing community person," Johnson said. "They will see me everywhere. That's how I operated in Naperville."

Johnson has served on the police and fire commissions in Naperville and was the athletic director at North Central College for 13 years before joining the Y in 2005. In Glen Ellyn, Johnson, 52, said his goal is to become the face of the organization as quickly as possible.

"I think the CEO should do what he can to become a person that is recognized," he said. "But that cuts both ways. If you screw up, they'll know exactly who to blame."

A search committee narrowed down applicants to several candidates. The board of trustees' executive committee then interviewed those candidates and chose Johnson.

Johnson's last day with Heritage YMCA will be May 21 and he will start in Glen Ellyn May 24.

He said he hopes to meet with board and staff immediately. He said he will reach out to community leaders and let them know the YMCA wants to work with them.

"We need to really get a sense of what they believe the YMCA should be," he said. "What would they like to see elevated? Once we have a sense of who the people are and what the need is, you can begin to formulate what the work should be."

Knapp ended his tenure as the second-longest running director at the Glen Ellyn facility, behind only the director who the facility takes its name from, B.R. Ryall. Ryall served from 1927 to 1952.