MOUNT VERNON — “I have a personality that needs change every so often,” said Nick Clark, who is leaving his position as executive director at the Mount Vernon YMCA to work at the Mount Vernon Country Club.
Clark, who hails from Canton and has worked at the Mount Vernon YMCA for over 4 1/2 years, said he is sad for leaving the organization, but that he wanted something different in his life. However, he is open to helping the YMCA in its search for a new director.
“In the event that they find someone and they want me to be in the process, I’m here to help,” said Clark.
The former YMCA director has accepted the position of activities and wellness director at the country club. Clark said he is overseeing the tennis courts and the pool, and, when the new fitness center is completed, he will be in charge of that facility as well.
“One is not better than the other,” said Clark, referring to the Mount Vernon YMCA and the country club. “It’s just a difference.”
Clark said he loves his new position at the country club, and is glad he was able to meet his need for change but still remain in the local community.
“I’m very sad to be leaving the Y, [but] I’m absolutely a person that has to have change in my life,” said Clark. “And I’m very blessed and very pleased that I was able to find something in the community. I’ve ... grown to love this community and it’s phenomenal that I still get to work 10 minutes down the road.”
Aaron Boggs, treasurer of the board for the YMCA, said that in the search for finding a replacement for Clark, the board is hoping to stay local.
“We definitely are going to look local,” said Boggs. “We’re looking for somebody as an executive director ... that looks at all of these opportunities in the community and wants to strengthen the footprint of the YMCA.”
According to Boggs, the board of the YMCA will start a “heavy search” within a few weeks, and will hopefully hire an executive director some time this summer.
“Nick is leaving a huge hole in the organization,” said Boggs. “His energy levels are unparalleled.”
However, Boggs said that because Clark was leaving, the Mount Vernon YMCA now had an opportunity to find a local replacement.
“He’s leaving ... large shoes to fill,” said Boggs, “but we’re looking at it as an opportunity to look for somebody local.”
