Adam Schrott, the new CEO of the Bainbridge-Decatur County YMCA, said Friday he is “ready to hit the ground running” when he starts his job Tuesday.

“I want to be known throughout the community as the ‘Y guy,’ and get our services out to the people and let them know about everything the Y can offer,” said Schrott, who currently lives in Fort Myers, Fla. “I have a passion for helping others and I believe this YMCA has a lot to offer Bainbridge and Decatur County. I plan to hit the ground running Tuesday and I’m excited to get started.”

The YMCA’s Board of Directors unanimously voted to name Schrott the new CEO earlier this week, and he quickly accepted. He will replace Mike Haynes, who has been serving as the interim CEO since September 2011.
“I grew up in a small town and I love the small-town atmosphere,” Schrott said. “When I came to Bainbridge for the interviews, I just fell in love with the town. You have a beautiful YMCA facility and I can tell that the community supports it.

“I hope to continue the good things that the YMCA is already doing, while also develop ways we can make it better and serve the community even better.”

Schrott served as the Branch Executive Director of the Manatee YMCA Bradenton Branch, from December 2008 to October 2011. He began his YMCA career as a part-time staff member in January 1992, and worked his way up to a variety of positions at south Florida YMCAs.

“I’ve been around the YMCA my entire life,” he said. “My father was a retired CEO of a YMCA and so you can say that it’s in my blood. I’ve always wanted to be in a CEO position myself, and I’m excited to get the chance to do that in Bainbridge.”

Schrott earned his associate’s degree from Manatee Community College in May 1994, and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Marketing degree from the University of South Florida in August 1997.

Schrott said he knows that the Bainbridge-Decatur County YMCA has faced financial strife in the past, but he is ready to face those challenges head-on.

“The economic downturn has put a strain on all YMCAs,” he said. “But this YMCA isn’t going anywhere, and I’m not going anywhere. We’re going to continue to move it in the right direction, and I know that the community is ready to rally around their YMCA.”

Schrott said some of his immediate goals include offering more programs and services to the community, and working on a long-term vision for the YMCA.

“I’m looking forward to beginning to work with the Board of Directors to develop our three-year vision plan,” he said. “We’re ready to map out what we can do to improve the Y, not only today, but also into the future.”