BUTLER — Saying that you are busy is one thing, but actually being busy can be entirely different.

Michael Johnson, 45, is one of those people who is actually busy.

He has plenty to do as the executive director of the Butler YMCA and the YMCA Camp/ARMCO Park. But he also volunteers on several community groups and coaches youth sports teams.

Before moving to Butler, Johnson worked for Community Alternatives in New Castle.

“They are a social service type of company,” said Johnson, who is a graduate of New Castle High School and Edinboro University.

“I started off as Big Brothers Big Sisters director; the program came to Butler in '95.”

Now, as executive director, Johnson said his job involves running the Butler branch, “keeping up with employees and making sure that financially we are making it, and making sure that the customers have what they need.”

“The Butler YMCA provides many kinds of programs. We do have a swim team called the Butler YMCA Barracudas, which finished this year undefeated in dual meets, and 71 children out of 127 children on the team qualified for districts.

“We offer summer camp, which includes sport camps such as basketball, soccer, baseball, cheerleading and football,” Johnson said. “We run leagues for basketball, soccer, baseball, volleyball, flag football, lacrosse and cheer squad. We also run a program for 3- to 5-year-olds called Little Camps.

“In 2012, the Butler YMCA provided swim lessons for 2,500 individuals. We offer programming for individuals from 6 weeks old to seniors.”

The Butler YMCA also provides programs or events such as a Father Daughter Dance, cooking classes, line dancing, Fashionista's Class, Healthy Kids Day, the Adult Triathlon at Moraine State Park and a Youth Triathlon at YMCA Camp/ARMCO Park.

“You have a mission and you know where you want to go and getting everyone on the same page,” he said of the organization that has about 150 employees.

“The Butler YMCA has 6,723 members. As an association, the Butler YMCA, including the YMCA in Cranberry, has 19,611 members,” Johnson said.

The YMCA is funded through membership and program fees, grants and contributions.

“We will be starting our 2013 Strong Kids Campaign that helps subside membership and program fees for individuals that need assistance. In 2012, the association provided 2,240 individuals with $359,825 of assistance,” he said.

Throughout his 18 years with the Butler YMCA, Johnson has been director of operations, executive director of just the Butler YMCA, and he now oversees ARMCO Park as well.

“With ARMCO Park, it's the kind of park that is getting up and going. We are doing a lot of remodeling because when they had it back in the day, they didn't put a lot of money into it. But when we took over in 2005, we have made a lot of improvements up there,”Johnson said.

According to Johnson, the YMCA Camp/ARMCO Park covers 75 acres.

“The park is open to the public. We have the only outdoor pool in northern Butler County, which also has a splash pad.

“The park has four shelters, a dance hall and a management building that are used for reunions, birthday parties, graduation parties, weddings and wedding receptions and company meetings and picnics. We are making some renovations to the management building this spring and will be ready for the summer,” Johnson said.

Not only did the Butler YMCA obtain ARMCO Park in 2005, but it also was the year Johnson attended Leadership Butler County.

“It's a great program for people to understand what's here in Butler County. Basically, it's broken up into 12 or 13 different classes that you go around and you see different ends of it,” he said.

“I know when I went through it, I was like 'Wow, I didn't know there was that much happening in Butler,'” he said. “We need to get people out and let them know what is going on in our community.”

Going through the program allowed Johnson to meet business owners and other community leaders.

“It is great for networking,” he said. “The program teaches people how to work together as a group. They didn't know each other until all of a sudden they are thrown together. It's a great program.”

He added, “Even after going through Leadership, it is encouraged that you go back and give to the community.”

Johnson took this to heart by joining committees and boards, including the Leadership Butler County Board.

“I'm on the Butler Fall Festival committee, Butler Downtown Board, Leadership board, and I was the assistant coach this past season for Butler hockey in-line and different coaching with the teams that my kids are involved in.”

He is also a Rotary Club member.

Even though his work and volunteer efforts have him running in many different directions, he does occasionally get free time to spend with his family.

“Whenever we get time, because we are all busy, it's doing the family thing. Making sure that we are spending time together is important,” he said.

<B>Age:</B> 45<B>Address: </B>Butler<B>Family: </B>Wife, Leslie, and three sons, Michael, Brady and Jack<B>Education: </B>Edinboro University<B>Employment:</B> Executive director for Butler YMCA and YMCA Camp/ARMCO Park<B>What it does: </B>The Butler YMCA provides many programs for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility<B>Employees: </B>About 150 people<B>LEADERSHIP IS:</B>“They are always looking toward the future. You have to look at the world and set it up for what it’s going to become.”<B>INSPIRATION:</B>“Bill Gates and Steve Jobs; they are always looking ahead. They’re not letting things pass them by.”