After 23 years of extraordinary leadership, Andy Hamblett has announced that he will retire as CEO of the Boothbay Region YMCA at the end of June 2026.

It’s hard to overstate the impact Andy has had on our YMCA and on the broader Boothbay Region. Since stepping into the role in 2002, Andy has guided the Y through a period of unprecedented growth, both in its physical footprint and in its community reach. His deep commitment to service, vision for what the Y could be, and steadfast belief in the power of community have defined an era.

During Andy’s tenure, the Boothbay Region Y has grown to be an even more vibrant, inclusive hub that serves over 6,000 individuals annually. Early in his leadership, Andy oversaw the It’s Our Y campaign, raising $9.5 million for the construction of a new Aquatic Center and renovations to the Wellness Center. He led the ambitious A Greater Impact campaign, which not only met but surpassed its $14.5 million goal, ultimately raising more than $15.8 million. The campaign’s success was made possible by Andy’s extraordinary ability to build trust, cultivate donor relationships, and rally community support around a shared vision. This effort funded major capital improvements, including the Marylouise Tandy Cowan Fieldhouse, the Childhood Enrichment Center, and key investments at Camp Knickerbocker, such as the Waterfront Pavilion and McEvoy Lodge.

Andy’s leadership has always been about more than buildings and budgets; it has been about people. Under his guidance, the Y launched a series of innovative and community-centered programs that have become hallmarks of the Y’s mission. Arts for All opened doors to music and theater for individuals with disabilities. LIVESTRONG at the YMCA offered strength and support to cancer survivors. The Parkinson’s Program, Summer Meals Program, and High School Initiative extended the Y’s reach into schools and homes, creating opportunities for wellness, nourishment, and connection.

He also championed Membership for All, removing financial barriers so that no one in our community would be turned away due to cost. And through a collaborative partnership with the Central Lincoln County YMCA, he helped double the reach of our summer camp programming, ensuring that more children from across the region have access to the magic of Camp Knickerbocker.

Behind the scenes, Andy has been equally forward-thinking. He more than doubled the Y’s endowment, from $2.5 million to over $7 million, securing the Y’s long-term financial sustainability through strategic planned giving and donor engagement. He built a network of over 60 partnerships with schools, health care providers, and nonprofits, expanding the Y’s ability to meet real community needs. During the pandemic, his steady leadership helped the Y navigate extraordinary uncertainty, keeping our mission alive and our community connected.

What perhaps sets Andy apart most is his style of leadership -- humble, collaborative, and always rooted in the Y’s core values. He has developed an outstanding staff and empowered more than 300 volunteers each year to step into service. He has brought people together across divides, inspired a spirit of generosity, and helped all of us imagine, and achieve, what’s possible when we work together.

As we begin preparing for this important transition, the Board of Trustees has engaged Y-USA’s national executive search service to help identify the right leader to build on Andy’s legacy. The search will formally begin this fall, with the next CEO expected to step into the role on July 1, 2026. Trustee Bill Thomas will lead the Search Committee on behalf of the Board.

In the past 43 years, the Boothbay Region YMCA has had just two CEOs, Mike Harrison and Andy Hamblett. This leadership continuity is rare, and it has helped make the Boothbay Region YMCA a national model for what a community-centered organization can be.

Over the next year, we’ll have many opportunities to honor Andy and celebrate all he has meant to our community. For now, please join me in thanking him for his tireless work and his enduring legacy of service.

Hamblett’s retirement announcement

Dear Friends and Partners,

After more than two decades of serving as CEO of the Boothbay Region YMCA, I’ve shared with our Board of Trustees my plan to retire at the end of June 2026.

This decision comes with deep gratitude and reflection. It has been the honor of my life to lead this organization—one that means so much to me and to the Boothbay Region. Together, we’ve built more than buildings; we’ve built trust, expanded access, deepened impact, and strengthened the fabric of our community.

With your support, we’ve grown the Y into a hub that now serves more than 6,000 individuals annually. From the It’s Our Y campaign to A Greater Impact, we’ve rallied to invest in our facilities, our programs, and most importantly, our people. We’ve launched initiatives that have brought nourishment to families, support to cancer survivors, access to youth and teens, and dignity to those who simply needed a place to belong.

What I’m most proud of is not what we’ve built, but how we’ve built it—together. Through collaboration, shared values, and a commitment to inclusion, we’ve created something truly special.

I look forward to continuing this work with all of you over the next year and ensuring a strong, seamless leadership transition. Thank you for your partnership, your belief in the Y, and your role in making our mission come alive every day.

With appreciation,

Andy Hamblett

Chief Executive Officer

Boothbay Region YMCA