Sam Franklin is what people in the YMCA would call a ‘Y-Lifer.”
He has worked for the nonprofit organization over the last 33 years at YMCA branches in Tennessee, Kentucky and the Carolinas. Franklin’s first role with the organization was as a summer intern in 1991. He says it was the YMCA’s mission that led him to continue his professional career with the organization.
“The longevity of my career, it’s more like a calling to serve people, to serve the kids and the families and the communities that really need the programs and services that we offer,” Franklin said.
Starting Sept. 28, Franklin will step in as the eighth CEO and president of the YMCA of Greenville. He will fill the role left by longtime CEO Scot Baddley, who announced his retirement in July. Franklin previously worked as the executive vice president and chief operating officer for the YMCA of Greenville.
“(I am) very honored and humbled to be the next CEO,” Franklin said.
Experienced leader
Throughout his professional career, Franklin has held many roles within the YMCA organization, from program director to vice president of operations. He said staff development has always been the root of how the YMCA can impact people within the organization.
“I learned a lot,” Franklin said. “I think for me, every opportunity that I’ve had in the Y, I’ve worked for some really great people, and I’ve been blessed to be able to learn and grow from just great leadership in my time.”
Franklin joined the YMCA of Greenville in 2017. The local organization is the largest Y in the state, annually serving more than 70,000 members and program participants. Franklin felt his knowledge and experience with programming were among the main skills he was able to bring to the YMCA.
During his time as executive vice president and COO, Franklin helped the organization build its services, grow the number of children in sports programming, navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, create a strategic plan, complete successful annual campaigns and build partnerships with other organizations.
As a leader, Franklin strives to serve and coach his staff in a way that acknowledges their personalities and meets their needs. He said it is a proud moment to see people he has supervised rise into higher roles and do great things.
“We get an opportunity every single day to change a life, and I think for me, that’s the true mission of the Y,” Franklin said.
Bright future
As the new CEO and president, Franklin said many opportunities are on the horizon for the YMCA of Greenville. His first goal is to take care of the facilities.
Franklin said the Y is currently working on the Prisma Health Family YMCA expansion project and going through the permitting process with Greenville County. According to the YMCA, phase one construction is expected to begin in the next six months.
The YMCA of Greenville Foundation recently provided funding to add another location and expand programming at the George I. Theisen Family YMCA branch in Travelers Rest. Franklin said potentially relocating the Verdae YMCA, which is too small for the growing population, is also being considered.
“The bottom line is, you know, how do we continue to elevate our programs and memberships at a level that stays consistent with the growth of Greenville County?” he said.
In addition, Franklin and his team are looking at other emerging markets for potential new sites for YMCA branches in Greenville County including Fountain Inn, Greer and Taylors.
“We’re not going to take the foot off the gas,” Franklin said.
Education and past experience
Sam Franklin graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in 1991 with a marketing and public relations degree. He minored in English.
During his professional career, Franklin has worked as:
- Public relations and communications assistant at the YMCA of Middle Tennessee in Nashville, Tennessee
- Program director at a branch in the YMCA of Middle Tennessee in Nashville, Tennessee
- Associate executive at a branch in the YMCA of Greater Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky
- Executive director at a branch in the YMCA of the Triangle in Sanford, North Carolina
- Vice president of operations at a branch in the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
- Executive vice president and chief operating officer at the YMCA of Greenville
Related: Scot Baddley to retire after 20 years leading YMCA of Greenville
The post Meet the YMCA of Greenville’s new CEO and President, Sam Franklin appeared first on GREENVILLE JOURNAL.