Illinois Valley YMCA in Peru names next CEO, who comes from Christian County

Chris Weittenhiller was selected to be the next CEO of the Illinois Valley YMCA in Peru.

Weittenhiller brings 22 years of YMCA experience and comes from the Christian County YMCA in Taylorville, where he has been the CEO since 2009. In May, he will succeed Dave Potthoff, who has served as CEO for the Illinois Valley YMCA since 1987.

Weittenhiller has been involved with his community, serving as board president for the Taylorville Kiwanis Club and Christian County Mental Health Association as well as serving on the Taylorville Memorial Hospital’s External Community Health Needs Assessment Committee for the last 10 years. Most recently he served as the chairperson for the 2020 Illinois Alliance of YMCA’s Fall Staff Rally.

“I’m very excited for the opportunity to provide leadership for the Illinois Valley YMCA; work with their established staff team and dedicated board of directors to deepen the Y’s impact in the communities we serve,” Weittenhiller said.

Weittenhiller earned his bachelor degree in exercise science from Winona State University in Winona, Minn. He started his YMCA career in 1998 with the Campanelli YMCA in Schaumburg as the sports and fitness director.

In 2004, Weittenhiller became the associate executive director for the Bloomington-Normal YMCA. For the last 12 years he has served as the CEO of the Christian County YMCA.

“My wife Hope and I are truly excited to be part of your community, getting involved and developing positive relationships. It will be my goal to be very visible in the community and be involved with organizations that with missions similar to the Ys,” Weittenhiller said.

Representing the board, President Bob Suarez said he is excited to have Weittenhiller as the next CEO.

“We appreciate all our members who have stuck with us during these restricted times and look forward to a bright future as we emerge from this pandemic and onto a new chapter,” Suarez said. “Chris and his wife are excited to join our community. We feel proud and honored that the Illinois Valley is where they want to call home and look forward to his involvement in our community. We want to thank the combined efforts of the search committee for their diligent work through this process in finding our next CEO. Finally, we also thank Dave Potthoff for the contributions he has made during his 36 years at our Y. We are in a strong position based on his leadership and thank him for his service and for helping build our YMCA to what it is today. We wish Dave and Mary Beth best wishes in retirement.”

Through the dedicated efforts of staff and volunteers, the Illinois Valley YMCA said it remains devoted to strengthening the foundations of the community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

Continuing to affect the lives of thousands of families and individuals throughout the Illinois Valley is important to Weittenhiller, who said “The Illinois Valley YMCA has been such a great asset for the community and I am excited to join the Illinois Valley YMCA during a time in which I believe our best work as a mission driven, non-profit, community organization is yet to come”.