Blomstedt announces Family YMCA retirement

Montgomery County Family YMCA Executive Director John Blomstedt will retire from the YMCA and conclude his 22-year career at the YMCA, effective April 1. Blomstedt has served as executive director the past four and one half years.
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity that Nick Zimmer, my predecessor, and the YMCA’s Program Committee gave me in February 2000 to become the full-time program director,” Blomstedt said. “The past 22 years have seemed to fly by, and I cannot thank the YMCA staff, members, volunteers, donors, and program participants enough for their support over that time. I especially want to thank the YMCA’s board of directors for their guidance in my role as executive director. It reminds me of what my son, J.C., said after I’d had the job for about six months - ‘Dad, you’ve found your calling.’”
Blomstedt said he is most proud of seeing the YMCA through the COVID-19 pandemic, from the facility being forced to close to the gradual reopening of the facility, as one of his biggest accomplishments.
“Second, I would say is the involvement with Live Well Montgomery County in looking for better ways to serve the Montgomery County communities, such as the Mobile Food Pantry. The final thing I would say is still being called “Coach John” by youth that I coached during the various programs I oversaw as a program director/operations manager,” said Blomstedt.  
Upon retirement, John and his wife, Debra, who is retiring after 35 years as a Red Oak High School science teacher this spring, plan to remain in Red Oak.
“We’re looking forward to doing some traveling and visiting relatives and friends across the United States. Maybe I’ll be able to get to the 15 major league ball parks I haven’t seen yet. Also, I’m sure we’ll stay involved with the YMCA in some aspect while also continuing to volunteer with other community organizations,” Blomstedt said.
Carrie Shalters will serve as the new Executive Director, effective April 2.  
Shalters currently serves as Membership Director and Customer Service Manager at the Montgomery County Family YMCA, a position she has held since August 2017. She has more than 15 years of experience in small business management prior to signing on as Membership Director at the Montgomery County Family YMCA.  
“I am grateful for the opportunity the Montgomery County Family YMCA Board of Directors has given me to lead an organization that is so important to Red Oak and Montgomery County. I am thankful for John Blomstedt giving me the opportunity as Membership Director and for mentoring me through the process of becoming Executive Director,” said Carrie Shalters. “The Montgomery County Family YMCA has been an important part of my life for the last 15 years, beginning as a fitness instructor and lifeguard and most recently in my role as the Membership Director for the past four-and-a-half years.  I am excited to continue working with the wonderful staff, board of directors, members, volunteers and donors and to lead the YMCA into the future.”  
Shalters received her Bachelor of Science degree from Bellevue University in 2013.  She has also run her own medical transcription business for the past three years and prior to that worked with her husband in running his heating and air conditioning business.  Carrie graduated from Griswold Community High School and lives in Red Oak with her husband, Larry. The couple has two children, Hannah and Andrew.