OUR STAFF
Meet our leadership team below.
LEADERSHIP STAFF
Brandi Hartung
Associate Executive Director
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Brandi began as a college intern for the Long Branch Area YMCA in 2002. After graduating from Missouri Western with a BS degree in Exercise Science, she was hired as a part-time employee until 2009 when she became the Assistant Program Director. In 2010, Brandi was promoted to Member Services Director, where she managed membership, human resources and accounting. She became the Associate Executive Director in 2023, overseeing all operations for the YMCA. Brandi is highly dedicated to serving this community and has developed a deep passion for the Mission of the YMCA.
Jessy Stephenson
Fitness and Program Director
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Jessy has been serving the Long Branch Area for the past 18 years. She received a BS degree in Exercise Science from Central Missouri State University. Jessy oversees daily facility operations, including staff scheduling and development. She is responsible for the recruitment and supervision of all staff and volunteers for every youth and adult program. She also oversees, develops, schedules and recruits for our Wellness Team, which includes fitness orientations, group exercise classes and personal training. She loves being hands-on in all our programs and serving youth in our community is a major highlight.
Long Branch Area YMCA is a great place to work. If you’re interested in being part of our cause and making an impact in our community, check out our job opportunities. Go to our Employment Page for current openings.
If you’re interested in being part of our cause and making an impact in our community, check out our job opportunities.
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Rhonda Linsley
Membership Coordinator
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Rhonda Linsley began her service at the Y in 2014, working the evening and weekend shifts at the Welcome Center. In 2022, she began opening the Y at 5:15am, a couple of days a week. Rhonda’s passion for our members and her dedication over the past 10 years earned her a promotion to Membership Coordinator. Rhonda handles all aspects of membership, including corporate relations, and ensures our members have the best experience.
Eric Abts, CEO
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Eric graduated from Western Illinois University with a Master of Science Degree in Sports Management in 1995. That passion for sports and fitness parlayed into a 12 year executive management career in recreation/fitness in the private sector, managing Chesterfield Athletic Club, Kingpoint Tennis & Fitness, Tri-State Athletic Club, to name a few. In 2007 Eric discovered his true calling and joined the mission of the YMCA, serving as Executive Director for the St. Charles County Family YMCA and the Tri-County Family YMCA. During that time, Eric coached his three sons in all the YMCA sports and developed a strong passion for serving the community. After five years in St. Louis, Eric was called to serve as the CEO of the YMCA of Hannibal and the Long Branch YMCA in Macon. Eric is married to his wife Tiffany with four sons collectively and a new daughter.
“My YMCA story is not a traditional one. I did not grow up in a community with a YMCA and became aware of the mission much later in life during a pivotal career change. My family and I feel very blessed to be a part of the YMCA. We share the YMCA core values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility and faith and truly enjoy serving our members, participants and guests every day. I can’t think of any other place I would want to be!”