With a number of new faces joining our director team in 2022, we asked them to stand really close together for a photo and to share some inside scoops to help everyone get to know them!
Allow us to introduce the squad, from left to right:
Bryan Lee | Branch Facility Director
*More to come - Bryan is the super-friendly blue blur that you see keeping all areas of our facility ready to serve our members and participants!
Brandon Harcum | Senior Youth Director
- Areas of Responsibility: Youth programs (including teen Leaders Club, community support programs and sports) and Transportation
- Y History: Brandon started his Y career part-time in 2006 after finishing college. He moved to the Triangle area in 2008 and became a full-time Y employee. He joined the Kerr family as our Senior Youth Director in 2017. He has served at six different Y branches. His family loves being part of this great community!
- A Y Favorite: "100% it is the community. I love relationships and how the Y is a great place for all."
- Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA
- Beyond the Y: "I love the sport of wrestling. I was an All-American during my high school years and currently coach part-time at a local club. I am a huge Virginia Tech Hokies fan and a Washington Commanders fan."
- Extra Scoop: "You can't miss me. I am the shortest guy at the Y. ;)"
Kate Revels | Youth Director
*More to come - Kate is in the midst of summer day camp and the kickoff of our year round school programs!
Randi Gressel | Branch Executive Director
- Y History: Randi began with the Y as a CILT (camper in leadership training) when she was in high school. Her professional journey then took her to the A.E. Finley YMCA and Durham YMCAs prior to joining the Kerr family. Along the way, Randi met her husband at the Y!
- A Y Favorite: "The community, the creativity and the variety of available experiences!"
- Hometown: Raleigh, NC
- Beyond the Y: "I love spending time with my family (husband and two daughters - ages 4 and 7), playing golf and traveling anywhere."
- Extra Scoop: "Go, Clemson Tigers!"
Jamie Gaskins | Senior Membership Experience Director
- Areas of Responsibility: Membership - wellness, membership engagement and Kid Zone programming.
- Y History: Jamie began her current position at Kerr in September of 2021, following years of leadership roles with the Ingram Family YMCA in Lee County.
- A Y Favorite: "The energy of the Y! The people at the Y love being at the Y. Walking in and hearing noise and excitement is always fun."
- Hometown: Sanford, NC
- Beyond the Y: "I love spending time with family - especially my baby girl Charlotte! I also love traveling anywhere and everywhere! (Bonus points for warm, tropical climates and anywhere in Italy.)"
Max Turner | Director of Aquatics
- Areas of Responsibility: All things aquatic! "My role is to foster a safe and fun environment at our pools where people come to relax, exercise, and splash around."
- Y History: Max joined us at Kerr in the Spring of 2022, bringing with him eight years of prior aquatics leadership experience.
- A Y Favorite: "The positive environment and being a meaningful part of people's days and lives."
- Hometown: Burlington, KY
- Beyond the Y: "I love to travel and spend time outdoors, and I'm a die-hard Kentucky Wildcats fan."
Brett Scott | Associate Executive Director of Membership
- Areas of Responsibility: Membership, wellness, group fitness, aquatics and operations
- Y History: Brett is a native of North Raleigh. She began her role at Kerr in October 2021 following a range of leadership roles with the Alexander Family YMCA and Southeast Raleigh YMCA.
- A Y Favorite: "That your family can grow with the Y. One of the main reasons I have chosen a career with the Y is because it has grown with me through a few different life stages."
- Hometown: Raleigh, NC
- Beyond the Y: "I enjoy traveling, active time with my family (husband, son & daughter) and cooking."
- Extra Scoop: "I am new to Wake Forest. We moved in March; please reach out and help introduce me to all the fun things to do in Wake Forest!"
Kenny Howell | Member Engagement Director
- Areas of Responsibility: Membership services, volunteer support, leadership of front desk staff and administrative services
- Y History: Kenny has worked with the Y for ten years so far. He started off working in youth programs with Track Out Camp, Summer Day Camp and Teen Programs for eight of those years. He worked with our association's Customer Service team for a year, and now he's at Kerr focused on our membership!
- A Y Favorite: "My favorite thing about the Y would be the amount of support that we have for teens in our community. We have volunteer opportunities, teen leadership clubs, trips and employment opportunities."
- Hometown: Smithfield, NC
- Beyond the Y: "My favorite pastimes are reading, creative writing, gardening and going on long road trips."
- Extra Scoop: "I'm always up for learning new things! If you've got a language, skill or hobby that you'd like to share, I'm all ears!"
What this team all has in common is that they're energized by getting to know YOU, our members and participants that bring the Y to life. We look forward to opportunities to share our common experiences and interests while learning from each other along the way. See you soon at the Y!