Melrose YMCA hires veteran interim chief
Following a child sexual abuse scandal that forced three top executives to leave their jobs, the Melrose YMCA announced yesterday that Ralph Yohe, president of the South Shore YMCA, will take over as interim chief executive in Melrose on Oct. 5.
According to a statement from Melrose YMCA spokeswoman Janey Bishoff, Yohe will leave the South Shore branch after 23 years as its president.
“I am honored to be able to help the Melrose community during this time of transition,’’ Yohe said in the statement.
James Conner of North Reading, 51, a former Melrose YMCA employee, has been charged with assaulting two children who attended YMCA programs. At his arraignment April 7, he pleaded not guilty to 20 charges, including five counts of rape of a child by force, according to Middlesex Superior Court records.
The state Department of Early Education and Care, which licenses after-school programs at nonprofit organizations, reported in April that YMCA administrators hired Conner despite knowing of allegations of improprieties at other facilities and warning signs at the Melrose YMCA. The department said the Melrose YMCA had “failed to protect children from abuse.’’
Richard Whitworth, the current president and chief executive of the Melrose YMCA, announced his resignation in June, and Bishoff said his last day will be Aug. 31.
The board also announced in July that vice president Nancy Madden would step down in October. Karen Dauteuil, formerly vice president of child care services and Conner’s direct supervisor, was fired in April.
Beth Tilley, operations director of the Greater Lynn YMCA, will manage Melrose YMCA operations in September.
“Our community is incredibly fortunate to be able to have a leader of Ralph Yohe’s caliber and experience step in to assist us during this transition,’’ Mary Sexton, chairwoman of the Melrose YMCA board, said in the statement.