Board of Directors

ABOUT

JOIN THE YMCA

PROGRAM GUIDE

paul oldham

President

John Dorenbusch

Vice President

Mary Huntington

Treasurer

ashley brown

Secretary

joe alig

jayme beneker

andrea gillman

brad mehlon

Neal Wiggermann

Spotlights - New Board Members

Neal Wiggerman

“Through my participation on the board, I have learned so much about myself and our community,” says Neal Wiggermann, member of the Southeastern Indiana YMCA Board of Directors. “This work has furthered my professional development, provided camaraderie, and helped me feel connected to the community we serve. Although I like to think the Y and the community benefit from the work of the board, I receive so much from serving on the board and I am very grateful for the opportunity.”

Wiggermann joined the Y over ten years ago when he needed a gym. “I chose the Y because the fitness center had more amenities than other gyms closer to me, and I wanted to support all the work the Y does for the community, even if I wasn’t sure what that all entailed. Since then the Y has helped my family stay healthy, helps my children develop and connects me to the community,” adds Wiggermann.

“My two favorite moments of the day are visiting the YMCA Learning Center. When I drop my children off at the Learning Center in the morning, they are excited for the day. I know they will be well cared for by well-trained professionals who provide stimulating activities and encourage their social development. I have the peace of mind to focus on my work day. When I pick them up, I’m so grateful to see my happy kids who have so much to tell me about their day.

“I joined the Y board in 2019 because I wanted to do my part to make sure the Y is here to provide quality facilities and programming for generations to come, and to be a part of the great team that is serving on the board. My participation has increased my appreciation for the Y and organizations like it. So many people work so hard behind the scenes to provide services that improve the quality of life for children, seniors and families in the community.

When asked about milestones that have been significant during his board tenure, Wiggermann responded, “The way the staff and leadership of the Y rose up to the challenges presented by the pandemic revealed their quality and how lucky we are to have them in southeastern Indiana. The staff made the best of a terrible situation and helped improve the circumstances of the Y and the surrounding area. It’s easy to take organizations like the Y for granted, but almost impossible to imagine our community without them.”

Joe Alig

“It’s great being part of an organization that is community driven,” says Joe Alig, Southeastern Indiana YMCA Board Member. “The Y always tries to better the community with special projects, or creating programs to benefit their members. They are always looking out for the people that matter.”

Alig was encouraged to join the Y board three years ago by Ted Harmeyer, Southeastern Indiana YMCA Chief Financial Officer. “The Y brings people together. It connects people of all ages and backgrounds to bridge the gaps in community needs,” says Alig.

Alig originally joined the Y because he was looking for a family oriented organization where he could workout at his own leisure and his kids could also come and enjoy. His favorite activities include playing basketball and pickleball with his two boys. He believes in the Y mission, that is why he has found it rewarding to give back to the community through raising funds for the annual campaign. Alig’s words to live by, “Let your smile change the world, but don’t let the world change your smile.”

Ashley Brown

Ashley Brown has been connected to the Southeastern Indiana YMCA since she was a youth in high school looking for a place to practice basketball and stay in shape. She continued to have summer memberships in college and even worked as a summer camp counselor in 2010. “I attribute my high school and college success in athletics to the work I put in at the Y. In college I had to put up a 1,000 basketball shots over the summer, all of those shots happened at the Y,” says Brown.

Brown never gave up her membership at the Y, and now she enjoys bringing her three children here. “My kids love coming to swim or play in the gym. They’ve taken swim lessons, gymnastics, KidFit and youth basketball. It’s been a great place for us to meet up with family and friends.”

The Y’s impact on Brown’s life extends further than she and her family staying healthy, “The staff at the Y have always been so incredibly friendly and welcoming throughout all of my years of membership. They make it seem like it’s more than just a job to them. Long story short, because of my interaction with a Y staff member years ago – which led me to take a summer job, which then led me to meet my husband. If I hadn’t gone to the Y that day and stopped to chat with the Y staff member, I may not have ever met my husband!”

A year ago, Brown joined the Southeastern Indiana YMCA Board of Directors. When asked what motivated her to take this new role, Brown responded, “I have a lot of history at the Y and have been involved in many different capacities, from being a member, to a temporary staff member, to leading the Hillenbrand ONE Campaign.” In 2016, as an employee at Hillenbrand, Brown lead Hillenbrand’s community engagement initiative called the Hillenbrand ONE Campaign. They kicked off their campaign with a week of volunteerism at the Southeastern Indiana YMCA. “All of these experiences have brought me closer to current friends and family, and have also introduced me to many new friends. It just made sense for me to give back to the organization who has, and will continue to be, a staple in my family.”

Brad Mehlon

Connected to family and community. Twelve years ago, when Brad Mehlon was looking for ways keep him and his family active, he joined the Southeastern Indiana YMCA. During that time, he has lost over 80 pounds and made many new friends. “I’ve found the Y to be a very positive influence on myself and my family. I’ve participated in everything from Functional Fitness classes to personal training, to working out with groups of friends and on my own. I’ve found mental and physical growth, self-discovery, and learned how to live a healthier lifestyle,” shares Mehlon. Mehlon expanded his involvement with the Y and became a member of the Southeastern Indiana YMCA Board of Directors six years ago. “It’s been a way for met to give back to the Y and our community.”

John Dorenbusch

“The Y has had a tremendous impact on my fitness and lifestyle,” says Y Board Member, John Dorenbusch. “Our community is very lucky to have such an outstanding facility that serves such a wide array of its members’ needs.”

A member for 22 years, John uses the Y primarily for running and strength training on the machines in the Wellness Center. He also enjoys the added social benefit that comes with seeing other members when he’s here. “It keeps me motivated to keep coming back on a regular basis year after year,” says Dorenbusch. “The Y has helped me to qualify for and run in two Boston marathons.”

Dorenbusch joined the Y Board of Directors four years ago after a fellow attorney asked him to serve. “I thought it would be a way to give something back. It’s been good to stay in tune to all of the great things going on at the Y, as well as to help with some of the challenges,” adds Dorenbusch. “The Y is a high quality fitness center with a friendly atmosphere at a reasonable fee.”

Mary Huntington

“The Y is my home away from home,” says Y Board Member, Mary Huntington. “I have been a member for 27 years, and have built so many strong family-like relationships. The Y has everything under one roof. It’s somewhere a whole family can spend quality time together, and everyone has options to be active and healthy.”

Mary is currently serving her third year on the Y Board. “I chose to serve because I wanted to better understand our Y. I wanted to be more involved and to provide a voice for our members. The Y has given back to our community in so many ways. From the free adult group exercise classes to the awesome summer camp activities for kids. Youth and adults alike are empowered at the Y.”

Mary is part of the early morning workout crew that comes to the Y weekdays at 5:30 am. “I met my weight loss goals a long time ago, about six months after joining the Y. I continue to maintain that with the accountability of my peers. We all have inspired each other. We celebrate birthdays and other fun holidays. Some of us do the Turkey Trot every year. We even get together for breakfast once a week. It’s all so much fun.”

Group exercise at the Y encourages connection and improves engagement. Mary imparts advice quoted from Jim Rohn, “Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live!”