Dave Hilliard

CRANBERRY TWP — The Butler YMCA’s board of directors Wednesday selected its next president and CEO.

Dave Hilliard, executive director of the Rose E. Schneider Family YMCA in Cranberry, was promoted to replace Bill Kunert, who is retiring.

As CEO, he will work at both the Cranberry Township and Butler locations as well as oversee programs at ARMCO Park in Slippery Rock Township.

“I’m excited about it, humbled and excited,” he said.

Hilliard of Connoquenessing said he will work with Kunert for three weeks before taking over March 10.

Kunert of Cranberry announced Dec. 9 that he would retire. He has been in the position since 2012, but has worked at other YMCAs since 1974.

President James Druschel said in a release, “We are very fortunate to be able to hire an experienced YMCA professional. We look forward to the contributions that Dave will make in his new role.”

He has worked for the YMCA since 1992 when he started as an intern at the Butler YMCA.

Starting in 1993 he worked as program and executive director for the YMCA’s Southwestern Branch, a 5,000-square-foot space it rented on Route 19 in Jackson Township.

That branch closed in 2006 when the Schneider YMCA opened.

The Butler High School graduate has a bachelor’s degree in recreation management from Slippery Rock University.

His time with the YMCA has been marked by significant projects such as opening a new location.

“I’ve always had a goal or a challenge. We are always looking for the next step, the next growth opportunity,” he said.

The board does not plan to immediately hire a director for the Schneider YMCA.

One of Hilliard’s first jobs will be to lead a task force that will look into reorganizing the association’s staff structure, he said.

He also will be responsible for implementing the recently approved 3- to 5-year strategic plan. Some of the plan centers on doing more education and public relations to let county residents know the YMCA’s purpose.