AUBURN YMCA-WEIU STAFF
Amy Wallner, Branch Executive Director
Amy is a graduate of SUNY Cortland and a native of Auburn. "I started my Y career as the Child Care Director 18 years ago. I began at the Y by changing lives of our youth. Now I share how the Y impacts lives which include my own family. My son is now an official “Y kid” who uses every program possible. My husband and I are very lucky to have the Y that we do in our community, not only for ourselves but for our son. I am continually amazed by the impact the Y makes in our community through our programs and services."
Jeff Herrik Facility Director- Auburn YMCA-WEIU and Camp Y-Owasco
Jeff has worked as a new construction project manager as well as working in code enforcement, surveillance, and security.
He is a life resident of Auburn, and his four sons have enjoyed many programs at the YMCA.
In his spare time, Jeff collects International Harvester antique tractors and currently has 18 in his collection.
My wife Bridget enjoys working with her three dogs walking them on trails, and they frequent the dog park near Owasco Lake.
Andy Logue HR Business Partner
Andy grew up in the Finger Lakes graduating from Waterloo high school. He went on to graduate from Nazareth College with a bachelor's in Business Management and then receiving his masters in accounting from SUNY Institute of Technology in Utica. Upon graduation, Andy moved to New Jersey with his wife for 4 years before returning to central New York. He went on to receive his SHRM-CP and has previously volunteered on the CNYSHRM Total Rewards committee from 2014-2021 and served as the chair in 2019. Currently, he serves on the CNYSHRM Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team.
Andy has spent 24 years working at Wegmans in Store Operations and Human Resources before joining the YMCA. He is also the current Vice President of a not-for-profit youth soccer association that serves over 600 kids per season.
Stephanie Bales Membership & Marketing director
As a lifelong resident, Stephanie has a unique perspective and dedication to the community that we serve. Her diverse background lends valuable insight to the marketing, public relation, and member services initiatives of our Y. Stephanie offers support for critical fundraising efforts which funds the Y financial assistance program which she oversees. Making personal connections with our members and learning about their stories is truly the most satisfying aspect of her position.
Erin Johnson, Senior Program Director
Erin Johnson has come full circle within the Aquatic Department at the Auburn YMCA. As a child she was a member here and a participant of the Stingrays Swim Team, making this facility home away from home! She is a graduate of Truman State University (Missouri) where she obtained a degree in Exercise Science as well as a Masters in Kinesiology from Michigan State University. A native of Aurora, NY Erin is currently the Aquatic Director here and enjoying it! Before moving back to the central New York region, she and her husband lived downstate where she was a Certified Athletic Trainer. Erin previously worked at Victory Sports Medicine and Orthopedics. After the birth of her twins, Erin was a stay at home mother until the YMCA came back into her life. She is a certified Swim Lesson instructor, lifeguard and Certified Athletic Trainer.
Tina Hunt -Senior Program Director
Tina got her Y start in 2005 as a lifeguard while attending Ithaca College for her Bachelor's degree in Clinical Exercise Science. As a graduate student in Kinesiology at Indiana University Bloomington, she continued her work with the Y, this time as a personal trainer, endurance group coach for their half-marathon and triathlon training programs, and exercise technician for the cancer and cardiac rehab programs. Upon finishing her Master's degree, she began working in corporate fitness where she spent the next 14 years developing wellness incentive programs, teaching group exercise classes, personal training and working with individuals of various abilities on their fitness and wellness journey until finding her new home back at the Y. She is very excited to work with a team of people who are passionate about promoting wellness within the community and enhancing those relationships. She currently holds certifications from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (CSCS), ACE (Fitness Nutrition Specialist), American Swimming Coaches Association (Level 1 coach), American College of Sports Medicine (Exercise is Medicine credential), and is a certified yoga teacher.
Laura Clary, Health & Wellness Director
Laura has 20+ years experience within the Auburn YMCA. She first began as an instructor in a Stretch and Tone class but quickly expanded into specialty areas such as Pregnancy Fitness, Zumba, Active Older Adults, Group Exercise Instructor Trainer and Chronic Disease Management. It was through these experiences that made her appreciate all that the Y has to offer. Following the philosophy of “we have a gym, but we are not JUST a gym”, Laura is excited to help community members succeed in what wellness means to them. She is currently working on partnerships within local agencies to continually expand what we can offer. She currently holds certifications in Personal Training thru NETA, Y- ACE Group Exercise, Enhance Fitness certified trainer, Active Older Adult Program Director, and Chronic Disease Self Management Team leader.
Brenda Salico , Preschool Director
Brenda grew up in Weedsport, attended Cayuga Community College, and then received a Bachelors's Degree in Elementary Education from Houghton College. She is currently enrolled in a Master's Degree program through Southern New Hampshire University, studying Education Leadership, Curriculum, and Design. Brenda has 30 years of education experience in early childhood education. Her teaching experience started at the Auburn YMCA-WEIU. She then went to Head Start as a teacher, transitioned to Education Supervisor, then was promoted to Education Coordinator.
Brenda lives with her husband and two cats in Union Springs. Their two daughters are currently attending college, and the youngest studies education, history, and art, and the oldest is finishing her degree in pharmacy. She enjoys exploring different art mediums, reading, camping, and vacationing at the beach in her spare time.
Melissa Cartner, Family & Camp Director
Melissa is an Auburn native and a graduate of Stony Brook University on Long Island. She started her path at the Auburn YMCA-WEIU in 2009 as a camp counselor at Camp Y-Owasco and reprised her role there for the following 3 summers. This is when she fell in love with Camp Y-Owasco and the camping profession. In 2015, Melissa moved to Kansas and worked as the Program Director at Camp Wood YMCA. Kansas and Camp Wood YMCA was very different from Camp Y-Owasco, but she loved the tall grass prairie and the wide-open spaces. By 2016, Melissa became the Summer Camp Director at Camp Wood YMCA and held that position for 3 years. She then saw her dream job open up at the Auburn YMCA-WEIU and made the tough decision to leave Camp Wood YMCA and moved back to Auburn as the Camp and SACC Director at the Auburn YMCA-WEIU. Melissa is very excited to be back and to help serve the community she grew up in.
Audra Jakaub School age Childcare Director
Audra grew up in Weedsport and attended Cayuga Community College, where she received an Associate's Degree in Accounting. She then received her Bachelor's Degree from Keuka College in Organizational Management.
She ran a home daycare when her children were small and in Elementary School.
Audra was the Auburn Y SACC Director from 2016-2019 and is very happy to be back here working with the families and kids of Cayuga County.
Audra currently lives in Throop with my boyfriend and dog. Her kids are grown up and out of the house now. She enjoys reading, shopping, sporting events, and spending time with her family in her spare time.