Longtime YMCA president to retire in 2010

10/28/2009
BLADE STAFF

Paul Schlatter, chairman of the YMCA of Greater Toledo board of trustees, said the agency's embattled president, Robert Alexander, will retire effective July 31, 2010.

Mr. Schlatter said Mr. Alexander made the announcement at Wednesday's board meeting. He said Mr. Alexander will continue to serve actively as the YMCA's president until he steps down.

Mr. Schlatter said he has known Mr. Alexander's planned retirement date for a year and a half.

"It's just something he didn't want to publicize," before Wednesday's board meeting, Mr. Schlatter said.

Mr. Schlatter said a search committee was appointed last week and the chairman was informed of Mr. Alexander's retirement plans. He said they'll search first within the organization and nationwide for a successor.

The announcement comes two weeks after Mr. Alexander's daughter-in-law, Jody Alexander, announced she was leaving as executive director of the YMCA Perrysburg branch Fort Meigs Center for Health Promotion to take an executive position at a larger YMCA system in Florida.

The YMCA under Robert Alexander has in recent months faced increased scrutiny of its hiring practices in regards to family members, and for the planned closing of the South Toledo YMCA at Woodsdale Avenue and the Anthony Wayne Trail