Being the CEO of an organization with the history, size and impact of the Y in Central Maryland is an incredible privilege. In some ways (recognizing the fact that there’s absolutely no athleticism involved), it can also be a bit like being the quarterback of a football team. When things go right, you get way too much credit, and when things go wrong, well, you probably do deserve a lot of the fault.
So it was last evening when I was recognized, along with 27 other (far more impressive) folks, by The Daily Record as a 2022 Icon award honoree. (Here’s the full list of 2022 DR Icon Awardees). Now, I’m not sure who nominated me, or why, but in situations like this, I’m generally more befuddled than anything else. You see, this organization traces its roots back to 1853, and over the past 169 years, it has had more leaders than one can count. I’m sure that some were better than others, but in general, my predecessors must have done a good enough job to hand the baton off to me 16 years ago.
It’s pretty likely that I was the most unlikely person to take the helm of this organization in 2006. I was gainfully and happily employed, running a division of a public company, and I had only the most casual of experiences with the Y over the course of my life. Long story short, I agreed to take the job with the thought that I’d do it for a few years, get things straightened out and pointing upward, and then return to the private sector. Well, here I still am, and that may tell you all you need to know about how good I am at long-term career planning.
So, the reason I bring this all up is that to return to my sports analogy, I am self-aware enough to know that I get way too much credit for the impact the Y has in this community. I’m pretty sure that I can’t do most anyone else’s job around here. It’s really our 2,300+ associates who are responsible for serving the community, on a daily basis, across well over 100 points of delivery who deserve the recognition and acclaim. It’s the hundreds of volunteers and board members who care deeply about our work that are the true leaders. I just try to help create the conditions which allow everyone else to perform their far more important roles and stay out of their way. The Y’s associates and volunteers are the true icons.
I’ve always believed that Albert Schweitzer best defined success when he said, "success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.”
All the best,
John K. Hoey
President & CEO
The Y in Central Maryland