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David W. Jezek to Retire from St. Petersburg YMCA

The YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg serves the community with various health and wellness programs.

News Summary

David W. Jezek, who has led the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg for over 15 years, will retire at the end of 2025 after a transformative 42-year career in various YMCA organizations. Under his leadership, the YMCA’s budget grew significantly, and innovative programs were launched, benefiting the community greatly. A national search for his successor is set to begin as the community reflects on his impactful legacy.

Exciting Changes Ahead for St. Petersburg YMCA as David W. Jezek Announces Retirement

St. Petersburg, the community is buzzing with news as David W. Jezek prepares to tie up his badge of leadership and retire at the end of 2025. After an impressive 42-year career serving various YMCA organizations across Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Florida, Jezek’s time in the sunshine state is about to come to an end. He made a splash back in 2008 when he joined the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg, since then leading the organization through some remarkable growth and improvement.

Transformational Leadership

Under Jezek’s guidance, the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg has seen its annual operating budget skyrocket from $7 million to an astounding $22 million! That’s quite the leap, and it’s a clear reflection of his dedication and strategic vision to enhance the community’s access to health and wellness programs.

Jezek didn’t just stop at growing the budget; he also made significant strides in securing funding, pulling in over $40 million in capital throughout his tenure. This includes a prestigious naming gift of $8 million for the Speer YMCA, a move that has surely left a lasting mark on the facilities available to community members.

Innovative Programs and Partnerships

One of the crown jewels of his achievements is the launch of YMCA’s Preschool Academies, designed to ensure early childhood development is both accessible and enjoyable for families. Taking it a step further, Jezek created a fabulous partnership with the Pinellas County Schools, which integrated the programs at Speer YMCA with Mangrove Bay Middle School. This kind of collaboration is what schools and community organizations strive for to create a more holistic approach to education and development.

Furthermore, Jezek was visionary in initiating a redevelopment project for the Jim & Heather Gills YMCA. This renovation didn’t just enhance facilities but also expanded community services to ensure that all residents can easily access recreational and fitness opportunities right at home.

Global Contributions

Interestingly, Jezek’s influence isn’t limited just to our local community. In 2014, he co-founded the YMCA of the Cayman Islands. This initiative speaks volumes about his commitment to making positive impacts beyond state lines. Even in 2021, he took a step further by establishing the Small and Mid-Size YMCA Network, which is now engaging a whopping 635 YMCA CEOs across the nation. This network is essential for sharing resources, best practices, and building a unified approach to community services.

Looking Forward

As Jezek wraps up his remarkable chapter, the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg is gearing up to begin a national search for his successor. This is an exciting time for the organization and the community as they look for someone to build upon the solid foundation that Jezek has built over the years. His incredible leadership has not only transformed the YMCA into a community staple but also left a legacy that future leaders can look to for inspiration.

As the countdown to retirement begins, there seems to be a palpable excitement about what comes next for the YMCA and its dedicated community members, who are surely feeling grateful for all that Jezek has accomplished during his lengthy and illustrious career.