Jay Buckmaster will join the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA as its new executive director/CEO next month. The Y's board of directors selected the Green Bay, Wis. native to replace former CEO Tom Van Deinse, who left the organization in August.

Buckmaster brings more than 18 years of Y experience to Traverse City. For the last two years, he has served as the senior group vice president for the Tampa Metropolitan YMCA. He was responsible for overall management of a four-facility, $6 million budget operation. Prior to that, he served in management roles at YMCA facilities in Wichita, Kan., Milwaukee, Wis. and Stevens Point, Wis.

The board was particularly impressed by his experience opening a new 105,000 square-foot facility in Wichita and led membership initiatives that resulted in nearly one-third of all Wichita residents becoming members. The Grand Traverse Bay YMCA opened its new facilities on Silver Lake Road in September.

Buckmaster says he and his wife Megan look forward to making Traverse City their home. The couple has three children.