Greater Burlington YMCA President & CEO Mary Burns has announced the appointment of Doug Bishop as the organization’s new Director of Communications. Bishop is a veteran communicator, most recently serving in a similar capacity at the American Red Cross and, earlier in his career, was Deputy Press Secretary to Senator Patrick Leahy.
“At the YMCA, we are very proud of our work to build a stronger community,” said Burns. “We are fortunate to have Doug join our team, knowing that his experience and strong connections to the community will ensure the story of our volunteers, staff and supporters is celebrated.”
During his five-year tenure at the Vermont & the New Hampshire Upper Valley American Red Cross, Bishop led the organization’s communications and external relations during a time when our region confronted several large-scale disasters, including the devastation of Tropical Storm Irene, and experienced a dramatic increase in the call for Red Cross services.
Assuming this new role is not Bishop’s first contact with the Greater Burlington YMCA. “Like so many others, the Y is where my son learned to swim,” Bishop noted. “It is also the place where he had a jump start on his education through the Y’s extraordinary pre-school program,” he added. “Becoming part of the YMCA team is, in a way, like coming home and it allows me to work with and on behalf of our community.”
Bishop has worked in government, the private sector and in the non-profit world. A common thread, however, has been his desire to support the people of Vermont. He has served on the board of the Burlington Boys & Girls Club, is a past Rotary Club member, and volunteered for three years as a member of a United Way of Chittenden County Impact Team. Additionally, he is in his fourth year as Vice Chair of the Vermont Disaster Relief Fund, where he has overseen the allocation of over $4 million to Vermonters in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene and other regional disasters.
While happy to have Bishop join the YMCA team, Burns also expressed her appreciation for the hard work of Cal Workman, who is leaving the communications position to move with her family to southern Vermont after more than three years with the Y.
The Greater Burlington YMCA is a non-profit organization with a mission to build a strong community by involving youth, adults and families in programs and activities that develop spirit, mind and body. Last year, the Y awarded $570,000 in financial assistance so everyone could access the Y’s life enriching programs regardless of ability to pay.