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YMCA welcomes new chief Monday
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MONROE - Aaron Phillips is looking forward to his move to Monroe and his duties as executive director at the Green County YMCA, which start Monday.

Phillips, 36, was chief economic officer at the YMCA in Oskaloosa, Iowa, for the past seven years. He was struck by Monroe when he visited last month to interview for the executive director position.

"I was impressed with how friendly everyone was," he said. "The people on the board were very gracious to me and my family."

He wanted to work in Monroe after talking to the board and employees at the YMCA. He sees strong community support for what the YMCA does and offers, he said.

"I'm looking forward to working with a community that is behind what the YMCA does," Phillips said.

Phillips has always been a strong supporter of the YMCA and what it does for families. As a young man, he was active in his local YMCA.

"I had a lot of great mentors and I enjoyed the sports and activities," he said. "It's a wonderful organization that helps people and families."

Phillips has been an athletic club owner, a personal trainer and a swim coach.

He plans to move to Monroe this weekend. His wife, Connie, and their four children, Dakota, 14, Makayla, 10, Kira, 6, and Brenna, 4, will move to Monroe this summer.

Reid Stangel, former executive director, who worked at the Green County YMCA for more than 20 years, said Phillips is a good fit for Monroe. Phillips comes from a community about the same size as Monroe and cares about the YMCA, he said.

"He has a strong commitment to the YMCA and its mission," Stangel said. "I think he has the perfect experience."

Stangel will serve as a consultant to help with the transition. However, he wants people to be aware that Phillips is the executive director.

"I want to be helpful, but I don't want to be in the way," Stangel said, jokingly.