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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Accomplished YMCA Executive Appointed To Top National Post

Neil Nicoll replaces Ken Gladish as YMCA of the USA's President and CEO

CHICAGO, May 8, 2006 - Neil J. Nicoll has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of YMCA of the USA (Y-USA), the national resource office serving 2,594 YMCAs throughout the United States. His appointment was announced here today by Daniel A. Casey, who chairs the YMCA of the USA Board of Directors and led the search for Ken Gladish's successor. In accepting the position, Nicoll, 59, will step down as President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Seattle, a post he has held since 1992. Nicoll becomes the 13th leader of Y-USA and will take office officially on June 26. As YMCAs near their 155th anniversary in this country, they serve more than 20.1 million members including nearly 10 million children and teens.

"As the nation's oldest and largest community service organization, YMCAs are uniquely positioned today to serve children, families and communities," Nicoll said. "Our opportunity today in America is to engage and support families in attaining a healthier lifestyle, one YMCA member and one YMCA community at a time. I am thrilled to take on this responsibility in that crucial enterprise, to enhance family life and health as the YMCA has done historically, building spirit, mind and body for all."

"I am absolutely delighted to announce Neil Nicoll's appointment," Dan Casey said. "He is the ideal person to fill this role at this time. A first-rate manager of complex organizational systems, he is an innovative leader with the vision and inspired leadership qualities to take YMCAs to new heights in their service to children, families and the nation."

Neil Nicoll has held YMCA leadership posts for more than 35 years, beginning in 1968 as a program director with the YMCA of Greater Baltimore. He subsequently held executive director posts with branches of the Boston and Metropolitan Washington, D.C., YMCAs and became President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Worcester, Mass., in 1980, a post he held until accepting the top leadership role with the YMCA of Greater Seattle in 1992. He served two terms on Y-USA's National Board, from 1988-1992 and 2004-present, and chaired the YMCA North American Urban Group of major metropolitan YMCAs from 2003-2005 and the YMCA Public Policy Committee of Washington State from 1994-2004. As Chair of the YMCA Activate America Steering Committee, he has provided leadership to the YMCA movement's innovative public health initiative, which is making healthy living a reality for millions of Americans.

Nicoll has chaired the Washington State Council of Youth Agencies since 1993, and served on the United Way of King County Strategic Planning Committee from 1995-1998. He also served on the City of Seattle Mayor's Advisory Committee for the Family & Education Levy, 2003-2004.

Nicoll holds a bachelor's degree in history from Eastern Nazarene College, Quincy, Mass., and a master's in education from Springfield College, Springfield, Mass.

Neil Nicoll and his wife Anita have two grown daughters, Kimberley and Kerri. Neil and Anita Nicoll plan to make their home in the Chicago area.

About YMCA

YMCA of the USA is the national resource office for America's 2,594 YMCAs, collectively the nation's largest community service organization and largest provider of child care. YMCAs serve 20.1 million people, including 9.7 million children through a broad range of programs. YMCAs are for people of all faiths, races, ages, abilities and incomes. Financial assistance is available. To learn more, visit www.ymca.net.