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YMCA of the USA, national resource office for 2,700 Ys across the country, has announced the election of five members to the nonprofit’s board of directors.

Curt Hazelbaker, President and CEO of the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina, was among those selected.

Hazelbaker joins the following newly-approved members: John G. Conley, partner and co-founder of Gilliam Capital, Concord, Mass.; Janice Reals Ellig, co-CEO of Chadick Ellig, New York, N.Y.; Christopher A. Padilla, vice president of governmental programs of International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), Washington, D.C.; and Derrick Stewart, CEO of the YMCA of Southwestern Indiana, Evansville, Ind.

Each will serve a three-year term on the 27-member board, which sets strategic direction and policy to guide Y-USA in providing Ys with the resources and support they need to strengthen community.

“These are five highly accomplished individuals who are passionate about the Y’s cause of strengthening community, and I am very excited to have them join the YMCA of the USA Board of Directors,” said Neil Nicoll, president and CEO of Y-USA in the organization’s announcement. “Every day, Ys across the country are working to meet the most pressing needs of communities, from addressing health and education disparities to providing critical services and support to underserved populations. The Y-USA board guides our efforts to ensure that Ys across the country have the leadership, resources and support necessary to continue and expand this meaningful work.”

Hazelbaker joined the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina in March of 2003 where he previously served as senior vice president and chief operating officer. Following a nationwide search, he accepted his current position in January 2008. He began his YMCA career as a Day Camp Counselor at the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas, where he spent 20 years and served in several different positions, leaving Dallas as a Vice President of Operations. Curt is active on the state, regional, and national levels with the Y, serving as a board member at YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly and chairs both the YMCA Metro South Group and the North American YMCA Development Organization (NAYDO), as well as serving in many other Y groups.

Committed to service in his local community as well, he serves on the boards of the Forsyth County Youth Advisory Council, United Way Impact Council, and Healthy Carolinians Coalition, as well as the new Clemmons Medical Center. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Dallas and holds a certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University.

“I am honored to join a group of individuals with such a unique and impressive set of skills and experiences who care deeply about the Y’s cause and work in local communities,” shared Hazelbaker. “Together, we can ensure YMCAs across the country have the resources and support needed to nurture the potential of every child and teen, improve health and well-being, and support our neighbors to provide all with the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.”