By WKTV Staff
The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids announced this week that it has named Jamie Scaffidi as its new senior vice president of operations — and action which brings Scaffidi back to a Y system he is very familiar with.
A longtime YMCA executive, Scaffidi began his Y career in 1994 in Fremont, Ohio. He first came to Grand Rapids in 1997, serving as association executive director and senior program director before becoming executive director of the Visser Family branch.
A native of Dover, Ohio, Scaffidi and his wife, Jill, live in Wyoming and have three children.
After his work in Grand Rapids the first time, he spent 15 years at the YMCA of Greater Houston — the fourth-largest affiliate in the country — serving as district executive director, vice president of operations, and chief operating officer. As COO, he was responsible for 25 membership centers and a resident camp. He also led the restoration and reopening of 24 Y branches within nine days after Hurricane Harvey in August 2017.
“We are excited to welcome Jamie back to our Grand Rapids Y family,” YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids President and CEO Scott Lewis said in supplied material. “He brings invaluable experience and expertise, along with a wonderful sense of community, to this position. … (He) also will strengthen our response to the changing needs of our community for lasting impact.”
In his new role, Scaffidi will provide “leadership and direction to the organization’s eight branches and is responsible for setting operational strategy and ensuring successful operations and growth of the Y through program expansion and innovation, membership growth and engagement, volunteer and staff development, as well as strong fiscal management, risk management, facility management and financial development,” according to the announcement.
Most recently, Scaffidi served as president and CEO of Alvin-Manvel Area Chamber of Commerce in Alvin, Texas, assuming leadership of “a financially challenged organization during the COVID-19 pandemic,” according to the announcement. During his first six months there, the Chamber membership grew 35 percent and he implemented operational efficiencies and lowered expenses.
Scaffidi previously served as district executive director for YMCA affiliates in League City, Webster and Alvin (all in Texas); branch executive director of the Vic Coppinger Family YMCA in Pearland, Texas; and chief executive officer of the Lorain County Family YMCA in Ohio.
Scaffidi earned a bachelor’s degree in recreation education from Ohio State University and a master’s degree in sports management from the University of Kentucky.
