Our Leadership

Beth Hardee
Associate Executive Director
bhardee@trymca.org

How long at Y: 26 years

Favorite thing about working with Y: Working at the YMCA has been a rewarding experience. I love the family atmosphere and the amazing members we have at our Y. I feel lucky to have a job that I truly enjoy coming to every day!

Greatest Accomplishment: There have been many accomplishments in my life but my greatest is definitely being a mom to two awesome kids.

Motto: When You Can't Find the Sunshine, Be the Sunshine

Favorite Activity/Hot Spot: I enjoy hiking and being outdoors

Favorite Movie: Gone With the Wind

Cats or Dogs: Dog

Patrick Draffin
Sports Director
pdraffin@trymca.org

How long at Y:   4 years combined starting at the Wilmington Family YMCA and then YMCA Storer Camps

Favorite thing about working with Y:  Being involved in the community as a member of the Y family.

Greatest Accomplishment:  Being a dad to two outstanding young ladies and writing and implementing "What's Wrong with Different", a national YWCA hallmark program dealing with diversity for school aged kids.

Motto: Love all, trust a few, and do wrong to none. 

Favorite Activity/Hot Spot:  Sports, or course, and anything dealing with the great otudoors.

Favorite Movie: Return of the Jedi or Star Wars: A New Hope, too close to call.

Dogs or Cats:  Both. 1 dog and 3 cats.

Iesha Grove
Family Services Director
igrove@trymca.org

How long at Y:  I've been employed at the YMCA since September 2014.

Favorite thing about working with Y:  That I get to spend most of my time around children, which keeps me constantly keeps me focused on our YMCA mission and values!

Greatest Accomplishment: Becoming a mom, because it's helps me grow as a person daily.

Motto: Pray Like it all depends on God, but work like it all depends on you!

Favorite Activity/Hot Spot: Cooking healthy, Vegan meals and bike riding. My daughter and I LOVE Flanner's Beach and hiking trails, and we go any chance we get!

Favorite Movie: Pitch Perfect, and anything with Jean-Claude Van Damme (The Quest)! 

Cats or Dogs: BOTH!!

Kelly Millington, CFRE
Director of Financial Development
kmillington@trymca.org

How long at Y: 10 Years

Favorite thing about working with Y: How the YMCA is truly for All.

Greatest Accomplishment: Connecting donors to causes they are passionate about while working in non-profit fundraising over the past 24 years.

Motto: Be part of the change that you want to see in the world.

Favorite Activity/Hot Spot: Following the University of Kansas Football and Basketball Teams.

Favorite Movie: Smokey and the Bandit

Cats or Dogs: Dogs... but we have had two rescue cats that won me over in recent years.

Kira Parker
Director of Health & Wellness
kparker@trymca.org

How long at Y: 7 years

Favorite thing about working with Y: The family like feel of all the members and staff. I love my Y family! 

Greatest Accomplishment: Beginning my Y career as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor, working my way up the Health and Wellness Coordinator, and eventually Health and Wellness Director. 

Motto: Find the good in every day

Favorite Activity/Hot Spot: Stand up paddle boarding on the river and going to the beach

Favorite Movie: Remember the Titans

Cats or Dogs: Dogs. We have a Plott hound mix named Lucy. 

Troy Pennington
Membership Director
tpennington@trymca.org

How long at Y:  Start date August 27, 2018  

Favorite thing about working with Y:  Helping to strengthen our community here in New Bern

Greatest Accomplishment:  Being a father to 3 awesome children

Motto: Shine your light

Favorite Activity/Hot Spot: Basketball, Baseball, Football and Nascar

Favorite Movie: Hoosiers

Dogs or Cats:  Dogs (Gracie)

Josh Turner
Aquatics Director
jturner@trymca.org

How long at Y: 2 months

Favorite thing about working with Y: Interacting with all of the great members and getting to have a positive impact on our local youth. 

Greatest Accomplishment: My family and 20 years in the Marine Corps

Motto: This is easy, no one is shooting at me. 

Favorite Activity/Hot Spot: swimming

Favorite Movie: Boondocks Saints

Cats or Dogs: dogs

Amy Walsh
Marketing Director
awalsh@trymca.org

How long at Y: Since January 2013

Favorite thing about working with Y: I love meeting people who are passionate about bettering our community

Greatest Accomplishment: Learning to forgive

Motto: “A ship in harbor is safe — but that is not what ships are built for.” — John A. Shedd

Favorite Activity/Hot Spot: Boating, Paddleboarding, Fishing - anything on the water!

Favorite Movie: "The Little Mermaid"

Cats or Dogs: Both! And chickens...

Marissa Zinni
Community Impact Director
mzinni@trymca.org

How long at Y: March 2012

Favorite thing about working with Y: My favorite thing about working at the YMCA is that I have had the opportunity to work through multiple departments and build member and community relationships.

Greatest Accomplishment: My greatest accomplishment has been becoming a mother to two amazing kiddos!

Motto: Worrying is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you anywhere.

Favorite Activity/Hot Spot: Anything that involves food.

Favorite Movie: Grease

Cats or Dogs: Dogs - We have a Morkie named Cali and Standard Poodle Mix named Charlie.