The Board of YMCA of the Iowa Mississippi Valley announced today, Aug. 28, that Josh Whitson has been appointed as the organization’s next president and CEO.
In a news release Thursday, the YMCA said Mr. Whitson is its current chief operating officer and will move into his new role in January 2026. He will succeed President and CEO Brad Martell, who recently announced his retirement at the end of 2025.
“Our YMCA has undergone substantial growth in members, locations, scholarships, and programming during the more than six years Josh has been part of the leadership team at this YMCA,” Kerry Smith, a YMCA of the Iowa Mississippi Valley Board member, said in the release. “Josh’s contributions have been a key part of this successful growth,” Mr. Smith added. “Josh’s excellent leadership skills, twenty-five years of YMCA experience, and commitment to the Y’s mission will ensure that we maintain the momentum and trajectory we have been on for the past several years.”
Mr. Whitson began his Y career as a youth sports intern in Wichita, Kansas. He first worked directly under Mr. Martell, who later took over the Quad Cities Y’s leadership in 2013.
For the next 24 years, Mr. Whitson worked his way through the ranks of various YMCA associations across the Midwest. They included leadership positions at the Greater Wichita YMCA. There, he served as youth sports director (2001-05), executive director of East and North Y (2005-12), director of sports initiatives (2014-16). He also served as vice president of programs/director of Farha Sports Centers & Northwest YMCA (2017-19). He also was group vice president of the YMCA of Greater Omaha (2012-2014).
‘Humbled and privilege’
“I am humbled and privileged to have this opportunity from the board,” Mr. Whitson said in the release.
“Throughout my career I have had the chance to work under some of the best leaders any YMCA has to offer, including Dennis Schoenebeck and Cherish Johnette. However, none have had a more profound effect on my career with the Y than Brad Martell,” he added. “His leadership and guidance at different levels of my career have led me to this point, and our YMCA has become one of the most successful of its kind in the entire country.”
The organization’s board also credited Mr. Whitson for leading a vast expansion of the YMCA’s programming. In addition to overseeing existing programs and operations at all its locations since 2019, Mr. Whitson has played a crucial role launching programming at the North Scott Community YMCA, YMCA Sports Center, Hubbell-Waterman Soccer Complex, and YMCA Water Park at The Landing.
Also during his tenure as COO, the YMCA of the Iowa Mississippi Valley added Tennis, Pickleball, Gymnastics, and Ninja programs.
“The future of our Y is so exciting; from the launch this summer of the new YMCA Water Park at the Landing in Bettendorf to the creation of the new LeClaire YMCA, we are in a great position to continue our positive momentum,” he said. “I’m thrilled to have the chance to lead this great association and continue creating a better Quad Cities community.”
Mr. Martell will end his 46-year career with various YMCAs on Wednesday, Dec. 31. Mr. Whitson will assume the position on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.
