NEW YORK, NY. - September 26, 2008 - The Board of Directors of the YMCA of Greater New York welcomed three new members-at-large A. Michael Lipper, William H. Lawrence and Walter G. Montgomery during its bimonthly meeting this week.

"There is a direct relationship between organization achievement and board strength," said Jack Lund, President & CEO of the YMCA of Greater New York. "We are fortunate to continue to attract our community's leading citizens in the mutual interest of New York City’s kids. We’re proud to welcome Mike, Bill and Walter to a strong board that is dedicated to our mission."

As one of its three strategic priorities since 2005, the organization has worked to develop its Board as a destination for the city's top civic and business leaders who are looking to make a profound impact on the lives of the kids and families of New York City. In the three years to follow, the "Building Great Boards" initiative has yielded the addition of over 270 new community leaders to the YMCA of Greater New York’s Board and the boards of its 20 Branches throughout New York City.

"There is no substitute for having the best executive talent at the top of any organization," said Janice Reals Ellig, Chair of the YMCA's Board and Co-CEO of executive search firm Chadick Ellig, Inc. "Our Branch and Association Boards are highly diverse groups with the expertise, integrity & dedication required for the good governance of the YMCA in all its communities and the more than 350,000 New Yorkers it serves. I am delighted to welcome three more outstanding Board members, whose experiences and background will be invaluable as we renovate and build future YMCAs to better serve our communities."

A. Michael Lipper, CFA, is President of Lipper Advisory Services, a registered investment adviser that provides advice and management of accounts investing in portfolios of mutual funds and separate account managers with current assets in excess of $1 billion. Mr. Lipper has over 40 years investment industry experience as a registered investment advisor, the CEO of a New York Stock Exchange member firm, and as an analyst of and consultant to the investment company business. Mr. Lipper is a trustee of Drew University and committee chair for both the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and Atlantic Health Systems. He is the author of the recently published "Money Wise: How to Create, Grow and Preserve Your Wealth" (St. Martin's Press).

"I am excited to be part of the YMCA of Greater New York and look forward to building upon the Y's 156-year tradition of emphasis upon youth, health and wellness, adult education, and community collaboration and problem solving in New York City." said Lipper.

William H. Lawrence is Chairman, CEO & Chief Investment Officer of Meridian Capital Partners, an alternative investment adviser offering funds-of-hedge funds to institutional and high net worth investors, currently managing assets in excess of $3 billion. Mr. Lawrence is a long-time supporter of the Capital District YMCA in Albany, where he has played a leadership role with the Teens Lookin' Out and Black & Latino Achievers programs. He is also involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters and St. Anne Institute in Albany.

"I am thrilled to join the board of the YMCA of Greater New York and I am proud to be a part of giving our youngest New Yorkers a place to come after school for safe, productive activities that encourage and support academic performance, help to build their self-esteem and develop healthy lifestyles," said Lawrence.

Walter G. Montgomery is Chief Executive Officer and a Partner of Robinson Lerer & Montgomery, a 90-person strategic communications consulting firm founded in 1986 and based in New York City. In his other community work, Mr. Montgomery serves as a board member of Project HOPE and Union Settlement Association, and is a member and past chair of the advisory board of The Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University.

"The YMCA of Greater New York is here for good. As a new member of the board, I am honored to be a part of such an effective organization that knows how to give back to our city," said Montgomery.

A complete listing of the Board of Directors of the YMCA of Greater New York can be found at ymcanyc.org, under "About Us."

The YMCA of Greater New York is a community service organization which promotes positive values through programs that build spirit, mind and body, welcoming all people, with a focus on youth.

The largest private youth-serving organization in New York City, the YMCA of Greater New York encompasses 19 branches and 180 program sites throughout the five boroughs, plus three camps upstate, serving 350,000 New Yorkers of all ages each year, including 175,000 children in a variety of educational, social, health and wellness, as well as recreational and child development programs, each of which reinforce the YMCA values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Supported in part through contributions to the Strong Kids Campaign, the YMCA provides membership assistance and scholarships, so that no one is turned away due to an inability to pay. Visit ymcanyc.org to learn more.

YMCA of Greater New York

YMCA of Greater New York

Our Mission The YMCA of Greater New York is a community service organization which promotes positive values through programs that build spirit, mind and body, welcoming all people, with a focus on youth. Our Values All YMCA programs teach the core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility and continue our 156-year tradition of emphasis upon youth, health and wellness, adult education, and community collaboration and problem solving. The YMCA has always grown from within its community and is a reflection of the community itself in diversity and values. The YMCA is an open and inclusive organization and welcomes all without discrimination to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, citizenship, creed, religion, age, abilities, sexual orientation or income. A Focus on Youth The YMCA of Greater New York gives young people a place to come after school for safe, productive activities that encourage and support academic performance, help to build their self-esteem and develop healthy lifestyles. Among the hundreds of programs offered by the YMCA of Greater New York are a variety of youth programs, including child care, day care and after-school care programs; swimming, sports leagues; instructional classes; evening Teen Centers; counseling and health awareness; life/social skills; mentoring; leadership training and development; service learning; computer training; college/career preparation; day camps and sleep-away camps. Open to All At the YMCA, no one is turned away because of an inability to pay. To offer the broadest possible access to YMCA programs, services, and facilities, and to provide for those individuals and community groups who may not be able to afford the full cost of our programs, services and facilities, the YMCA engages in fundraising through the annual Strong Kids Campaign, special events at the branch and Association levels, grants, bequests, or individual, corporate or foundation support. We conduct extensive outreach to ensure wide participation in all YMCA programs by all segments of the many communities we serve. Each year, we deliver more than $47.3 million in sponsored, free and subsidized programs to more than 350,000 members and program participants, assuring all of an equal opportunity to benefit from the YMCA’s programs and services.

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