Jay began his career with the YMCA as a youth in York, PA where he participated in basketball, gymnastics, and swimming. Continuing his involvement with the Y, he volunteered with teens during the 80’s and in 1995 accepted the position as Camp Director at YMCA Camp Cristina, a 72 acre outdoor adventure camp with the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA which serves Hillsborough and Eastern Pasco County with over 140,000 members and 1,600 full and part-time staff. He earned his Senior Program Directorship and in 1998 accepted the position as Association Chaplain. As Chaplain, Jay provides pastoral care for the association, officiates weddings, offers general counseling and pre-marital counseling, and for those in the community who have no church home or member of the clergy to care for them, he makes hospital visits and officiates funerals.
Jay is unique in his position in that it was the first in the nation. This platform gives him great opportunity to teach about the YMCA’s storied heritage and Christian Purpose. He speaks frequently at national and international conferences, Association of YMCA Professionals Conferences (AYP), Principles and Practices (P & P), has had several articles published in the Perspective Magazine, and is co-author of the book, Strengthening the Organizational Heart. With regard to community service, Jay serves on the Board of Directors for the Downtown Tampa Rotary Club and teaches weekly Bible studies at Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church, St. John’s Episcopal Church, and Executive Ministries. Jay is also a co-leader for Lifework Leadership Tampa, a market place ministry that helps senior business executives learn how to apply biblical principles at work. He enjoys a close partnership with CBMC, which leads the Truth Project in several Tampa area YMCAs, and is an active member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Jay has been married to his wife Phyl for 31 years and they have three adult children and two grandsons, age 11 and 8. He served as an Aviation Ordinanceman in the U. S. Navy and received an Honorable Discharge in 1981, holds degrees in music and theology, is a licensed and ordained minister as well as a certified Life Coach. They home schooled their 3 children and their oldest daughter Danielle is a High School English teacher, their son Nathan is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and hosts his own cooking show, and their youngest daughter Noelle is a budding stand up comedian. Phyl holds a Bachelors Degree in Religious Education and is scheduled to graduate from Liberty University in the spring of 2010 with her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. She too is a certified Life Coach.
Additionally, Jay is one of the founding members of the John 17:21 Conference, the Chaplain’s Group, and recently accepted the position as Executive Director for Mission Focus, a YMCA partner which helps staff and volunteers better understand the rich heritage and Christian Purpose of the YMCA. He is author of the workshops, “Journey To Purpose” and “Can I Care?” Visit the Mission Focus web site at:http://MyMissionFocus.org