Gwen Bagley – President/Chief Executive Officer
Gwen has been with the YMCA movements for 18 years. She started her career as a day camp counselor and has worked in a variety of programs with an emphasis on child and youth development. Programs that she has been involved in include child care, camp, aquatics, teen leadership, sports and wellness. Gwen served as the Vice President for Child Care Services with the YMCA of Orange County in California and most recently as the Chief Operating Officer for the Georgia Mountains YMCA in Gainesville Georgia.
Gwen earned her degree in Family Resources at the University of Hawaii and a certificate in early childhood education. She is a trainer for the YMCA of the USA and has her Senior Director Certification. She will complete the YMCA Executive Development Institute in April 2009.
Gwen moved to the area in November to serve as the CEO for the Alleghany Highlands YMCA. She is here with her husband and their “children” Mandy and Sheba who are their dog and cat. When Gwen is not at the YMCA, she enjoys spending time at home, making jewelry, reading and visiting historical locations.
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Keith Simpson – Health Enhancement Coordinator
Keith has a long history in athletics and working with people. Prior to coming to the YMCA, Keith served as the athletic coordinator at Boy’s home and taught at the Alleghany High School.
Keith was in a serious car accident as a teen which left him paralyzed on the right side of his body. Through hard work and a positive attitude, Keith has regained 80% use of his leg and 30% use of his arm. He is involved in triathlons around the state and has just published his first book titled “Try Hard – One Man’s Goal in Regaining Lost Dreams.”
As the Health Enhancement Coordinator, Keith uses his experience to motivates others in their own goals towards a healthy lifestyle. He also provides personal training sessions and teaches cycling classes each week.
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Rhonda Gray – Accounting Specialist
Rhonda grew up in a military family - spending her life traveling in both the United States and abroad. She settled in Alleghany County in 1995 and now considers this area home. She has over 20 years experience in business & accounting. Prior to joining the YMCA staff, she spent four years as a substitute teacher in the Alleghany County Public School System. Before that, she was the Office Manager for a medical practice in Lewisburg, West Virginia for several years. Rhonda is the proud mom of two children, Zane & Zoe. They share their home in Callaghan with a variety of pets including the family 'baby' Roxy the dog.
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Donnie Kern – Program Director
Donnie grew up in the Alleghany Highlands and graduated from Alleghany High School in 2001. He received his Bachelors Degree in Business Administration and attended the Engalitcheff Institute for Public and Economic Policy at Georgetown University. During college Donnie began working for the Alleghany Highlands YMCA as a Lifeguard, Teacher’s Aid for the YMCA Learning Center, and Front Desk Staff. He achieved many recognitions during college; Published in the 29th National Dean List, Rhodes Scholar Nominee, S.S.S. Award for Highest GPA (4.0), Who’s Who Among Students in America, Radford Senior Excellence Award, and a member of Phi Kappa Phi (National Honor Society) and Beta Gamma Sigma (Business Honor Society)
Prior to joining the YMCA Staff he worked for the Stonewall Jackson Area Council Boy Scouts of America as a District Executive where he lead over 300 volunteers in capacities including Membership, Program, Advancement, and Finance. Donnie worked with leaders from all walks of life in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County raising funds and awareness about the Boy Scout Program and by recruiting youth into the program. He joined the YMCA leadership team in October 2008 where he is responsible for developing new programs for youth and families in the areas of sports, teens, day camp, and active older adults.
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Billiejo (BJ) Halsey – YMCA Site DirectorBJ was born and raised in Clifton Forge where she still calls home with her husband, Minister David Halsey Sr. and her son David Halsey Jr. She graduated from Clifton Forge High School. She joined the YMCA in April 2001 and since then has earned her Child Care Career Studies Certification from DSLCC and CDA Credential. BJ has spent her life working with children and is thankful for the opportunity. Currently, BJ is the Site Director for the Child Care Center in Low Moor. When she is not working at the YMCA she enjoys spending time with her family, singing praise & workshop as well as vacationing. There is writing by Ruth Senter that states, God has designs on our future… and He has designed us for the future. He has given us something to do in the future that no one else can do.
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Vickie Kerns – Associate Executive DirectorVickie is a lifelong resident of the Alleghany Highlands. When Vickie graduated from Dabney S. Lancaster College she transferred to Lynchburg College where she completed her studies there for a teaching position in Health and Physical Education; later she also earned a degree in Human Resources. Vickie is the mother of two and has spent her life learning as much as possible about child development in order the best mother she could. Her second child was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. Vickie knew her mission was to serve young children and families who may be in need. Vickie joined the YMCA when it first began in the Alleghany Highlands and for 17 years has focused on developing and managing child care programs from infants to school-age children. She is certified in all of the YMCA Child Care courses, trainer status in most and has earned her Senior Director Status within the YMCA professional ladder. “The knowledge I have received while working at the YMCA have empowered me as I strive to live each day according to my faith. Come see me at our YMCA where we build strong kids, strong families strong communities.”
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Kathy Harris – Site Director
Kathy have always had a love for children beginning with “baby dolls”. She began to baby-sit at age 13 and babysat most of the children in the neighborhood, sometimes one at a time and sometimes as a group of 5 or 6. One of her charges, Bimbo Coles, went on to play for the NBA.Kathy realized her true passion, which is working with children in any capacity, after the birth of her son “Boodie” in 1994. He was born with Down Syndrome.
Kathy is the mother of 6 children, 4 by birth and 2 step-children. Education is very important to her and her late husband. Her oldest daughter, Kristine is a Licensed Cosmetologist and CNA, second oldest, Ramanda is a RN, Kendra received her degree in Dec. in Business Finance and wants to continue to Law School, Kara attended DSLCC and is employed full time at the YMCA as a Preschool Assistant and After School Program Leader. Franklin completed school in 2007 and is still finding himself and Boodie is “the man”. He has been a member of the Alleghany Highlands YMCA since 1997!
Kathy is a member of Historic First Baptist Church, is a Certified Christian Counselor, received her Childcare Certificate in May ’07 and received her CDA in February of 2007. She is a graduate of Covington High School and attended Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA.
Kathy has also served as a parent representative on the Local Inter Agency; currently serves as a parent representative on the Covington City School Special Ed. Advisory Committee, and serves as a Surrogate Parent for the Covington School System.
Kathy have been with the Alleghany Highlands YMCA since October 2000. She began her career with the Alleghany Highlands YMCA as an Infant/Toddler Assistant. She also worked as the 4STAR Assistant and then as the 3 year old class’ Lead Teacher. She became the Director in 2002.
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