Chris Tointon Named President and CEO of the YMCA of Middle Tennessee

YMCA of Greater Omaha leader Chris Tointon has accepted new Nashville role at the YMCA of Middle Tennessee.

The YMCA of Middle Tennessee board of directors announced Chris Tointon has been named president and CEO of the mid-state association of YMCAs, which includes 15 family wellness centers, four community outreach centers and one of the region’s largest day and resident camp facilities. Tointon will succeed former CEO Dan Dummermuth, who in 2020 announced his plans to retire after a 35-year YMCA career.

Tointon currently serves as the president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Omaha, where under his leadership the organization made significant advancements in its support of children and youth, launching partnerships for Early Learning Centers at both Common Spirit Health and Creighton University.

During his five-year tenure, the Y also expanded its footprint with two new YMCAs, and another three are set to open in 2022 and 2023, two of which are part of innovative partnerships with public high schools. While much of Tointon’s career has been with the YMCA, first in Chicago, he also spent 13 years as CEO and president of Greater Midland, a nonprofit social service, recreation, wellness and membership organization in Midland, Michigan. He returned to the YMCA to lead the Omaha association in 2016.

Tointon was selected by a CEO selection committee following a multi-month process and national search. The committee was led by current YMCA of Middle Tennessee board chair Liz Wilson, and comprised of nine additional board members: Lawson Allen, David Bohan, Leilani Boulware, Trudy Carpenter, Marty Dickens, Jimmy Granbery, Decosta Jenkins, Tony Wall and David Wilds.

“I’m excited to join such a dedicated and talented group of staff and volunteers who care deeply for the community,” said Tointon. “The YMCA of Middle Tennessee has an impeccable reputation of positive impact on the lives of all, especially kids.”

Tointon’s first day at the YMCA of Middle Tennessee will be August 26.

On August 12, that its board of directors has appointed current chief financial officer Rebecca Deterding to serve as interim CEO. Deterding has served as chief financial officer for the YMCA for over six years and brings 16 years of experience in finance, operations, strategic planning and staff development.

“Rebecca has played a key role in the growth and strategic initiatives of the organization,” said Dan McLaughlin, a YMCA of Greater Omaha board chair. “We are confident of her ability and the ability of the leadership team to maintain the momentum of our initiatives, programs and services while the board conducts a nationwide search process.”

Deterding said that she is looking forward to expanding her role to help the Y to move forward during this time.

“The mission and sustainability of the YMCA is more important than ever as we work to strengthen our community and make an even bigger impact. I continue to be inspired by our staff, volunteers and leadership and I am pleased to step into this role as we look forward to the future,” said Deterding.

Deterding earned her undergraduate degree in business administration and accounting from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, her MBA from Bellevue University, and she holds a CPA certificate. She is married and has two sons, aged 8 and 5.