Beth Hardee
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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
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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 Wring 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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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...