Wayne YMCA welcomes new leader

The Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges has named longtime Y leader Justin Ihne the executive director of the Wayne YMCA.

“The Wayne YMCA is impacting the community in so many positive ways and it’s exciting for me to be a part of that momentum,” said Ihne, who most recently served as CEO of the Northern Berkshire YMCA in Massachusetts. He starts in his new post on Nov. 3.

“We are thrilled to have someone of Justin’s caliber join the Metro YMCA of the Oranges family,’’ said Metro Y President and CEO Richard K. Gorab. “He has a proven track record as a cause-driven leader and I am confident that his expertise will strengthen the Y and in the wider Wayne community.’’

One of six branches of the Metro Y, the Wayne YMCA has 150 full- and part-time staff and more than 5,000 members.

Ihne grew up in Brooklyn and attended Y camps in the 1980s. He went on to become a counselor and worked his way up to Y leadership positions. As CEO of the North Berkshire Y, Ihne bolstered its financial security, oversaw major facility upgrades that improved accessibility, and launched new wellness and family programs.

Ihne said he is impressed by the Wayne Y’s facilities, but even more so by its employees. “I look forward to working with the staff to provide the best quality programs and serve even more of the community,’’ he said.

Ihne and his wife, Sophie, have a 10-year-old daughter, Marley, and twin 5-year-old boys named Ethan and Rowan. “Marley loves to perform so she’s very excited about the Rosen Performing Arts Center at the Wayne Y,’’ he said.