WICHITA FALLS ( KFDX/KJTL ) — The YMCA of Wichita Falls has announced that President and CEO AJ Hernandez will be leaving the team.

After four years of service, Hernandez will take on a new role in Montgomery, Ala., as their new CEO. Preparing for his upcoming departure, he reminisced on what brought him to Wichita Falls to begin with.

“There’s so many amazing memories we have, just are family being able to connect with other people in the town. The ultimate reason we chose Wichita Falls was the people,” Hernandez said. “The people here are truly family-oriented, they’re engaging, they love their community. That passion they put into Wichita Falls really sold me on the community. And I’ve only seen that since I’ve been here, and so it’s a really amazing place for families.”

As the YMCA of Wichita Falls begins the nation-wide search for its next president and CEO, Senior Vice President of Mission Advancement Jon Dearolf will serve as interim CEO.

“It’s an honor and privilege to be able to take this role for the organization,” Dearolf said. “I’m really looking forward to helping the YMCA in the transition process, specifically helping to develop our strategic plan and really be the organization that this community needs us to be.”

Dearolf has over 25 years of experience serving the YMCA movement in numerous executive leadership roles.

As Hernandez prepares for his departure, he said he hopes his legacy is one that shows his dedication to engaging with the community, listening to their needs and fulfilling those needs.

Hernandez said he believes that he left the program in a great position to impact not only Wichita Falls but Texoma as a whole.

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