The YMCA of the Fox Cities announced today that William R. Breider III, the organization’s president and CEO will retire, effective November 2022 after serving 15 years in the position. He began his career at the Manitowoc-Two Rivers YMCA in 1984 and moved to the Fox Cities from Belvidere IL, where he served as Executive Director. Breider served as Executive Director of the Neenah-Menasha YMCA from 1994 to 2001 before being promoted to Vice President of Operations for the YMCA of the Fox Cities until he became president and CEO in 2007.
YMCA of the Fox Cities Facts:
- 40,000 members
- 2,300 volunteers
- 18,000 program participants
- 1,120 staff, 980 part time, 212 full time
- Operating budget: $26 million
- Total assets: $72 million
- Owned properties:
- Appleton YMCA
- Apple Creek YMCA
- Bruce B. Purdy Nature Preserve
- Camp Shioc Day Camp
- Child Learning Center
- Fox West YMCA
- Heart of the Valley YMCA
- Neenah-Menasha YMCA
- Ogden YMCA & Valley Tennis Center
- Overnight Camp Nan A Bo Sho
YMCA accomplishments under Breider’s leadership include:
- Co-led merger of Appleton and Neenah-Menasha YMCAs.
- Opened Fox West, Heart of the Valley, Apple Creek branches along with the Bruce B Purdy Nature Preserve.
- Acquired the Child Learning Center from Thrivent Financial and the Ogden YMCA & Valley Tennis Center.
- Raised over $20 million in Capital Campaign gifts to enhance, expand, and upgrade YMCA facilities throughout the association.
- Increased the Endowment Fund from $5.8 million to over $15 million.
- Increased Annual Campaign Support from $600,000 to $1.5 million, which directly impacts those that are underprivileged in the Fox Cities community.
- Increased association-wide membership from 18,000 to over 40,000 members and an additional 18,000 program participants.
- Total assets doubled to $72 million over the past 15 years.
Breider also led the YMCA through several Strategic Plans which introduced numerous innovative programs and community-wide initiatives. The most recent “Building Connections” plan helped to solidify operations through the pandemic and ensured the YMCA's visibility in the future.
“The impact Bill has had on the lives of those in our community has been tremendous,” said Laurie Butz, YMCA of the Fox Cities Board Chair. “His commitment to the Y mission has been the driving force of strengthening our community and building a great staff team during his time at the Y.”
In addition to leading the YMCA of the Fox Cities, Breider has been involved in community boards, clubs, and initiatives including local Rotary clubs. Breider also served on the Wisconsin Alliance Board of Directors and was the National Chair for the Safety Around Water initiative. The YMCA of the Fox Cities serves as the fiscal agent for the Upper Midwest Alliance of YMCAs and provides financial, human resource and marketing support to several YMCA associations.
WHBY Interview with Bill Breider