The YMCA of Greater Boston has hired James Morton, head of the YMCA of Greater Hartford, as its new president and CEO. He will start on April 6.
Morton will replace Kevin Washington, who had been head of the Boston Y since 2010. Washington was hired last fall as the president and CEO of the YMCA of the USA, the national office of the 2,700 YMCAs in the United States. Washington started in that position on Feb. 1.
Morton will serve as the 13th president of the nearly 165-year-old YMCA of Greater Boston, the largest social services provider in Massachusetts. A press release from the Boston Y says that while at Hartford, Morton presided over double-digit growth in contributions while leading a $15 million capital campaign.
Morton is the former CEO of the Springfield, MA, YMCA, has served on two workforce development agencies and was an educator in the Springfield Public Schools.
Morton received a bachelor of arts in sociology from the University of Wisconsin and his juris doctorate from Northeastern University School of Law. He is a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association, serves on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and is a trustee of Springfield College. He has served on numerous YMCA of the USA committees and task forces around brand management, executive leadership and multiculturalism.
"On behalf of the entire general board of Y directors, we are extremely pleased and excited to have the opportunity to further the mission and impact of the Greater Boston Y by introducing the caliber of leadership and experience that James brings to the organization," Jeff Conway, chairman of the YMCA of Greater Boston board, said in a release. "We expect James to have a positive and immediate impact in increasing the visibility of the Y and the work we do in strengthening our communities."
Morton said in the release: "I am proud to be invited to serve as the leader of America's first YMCA and to have the opportunity to work side-by-side with volunteers, community partners, civic and business leaders in service of the children and families who rely on the Y every day. Together we can make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive."