Ron Simoncini (far left) will step down as board chairman of the Meadowlands YMCA. He is pictured alongside David Kisselback, CEO of the Meadowlands Y, and Amy Herbold of American Dream and Michael Coletti of Mazars USA, who will assume the roles of vice chairman and chairman, respectively. — Courtesy: Meadowlands YMCA
By Joshua Burd
The Meadowlands YMCA will have a new slate of volunteer leaders after Ron Simoncini, a public relations executive with strong ties to the state’s commercial real estate sector, prepares to step down as board chairman after more than a decade in the role.
The organization announced Friday that Simoncini this week will preside over his last meeting at the helm of the board, which helps govern the facility at 390 Murry Hill Parkway in East Rutherford. Vice Chairman Michael Coletti, CEO of Mazars USA, and Amy Herbold, vice president of strategy for American Dream, will assume the roles of chairman and vice chairman, respectively.
According to the organization, Simoncini’s service was marked by the $14 million construction in 2017 of the Meadowlands Y on the site of the former Nets practice facility. That project included the gut-renovation of the existing 64,000-square-foot building and the addition of an 18,000-square-foot pool facility and loft system.
During Simoncini’s service, a span during which he never missed a board meeting over 14 years of continuous service, the Meadowlands Y grew from:
- 500 members to more than 14,000
- 17 children in its original daycare center to 141 in the new Mara Center for Early Childhood Learning
- Six full-time employees to more than 50
- $1 million in assets to $20 million
“There were angels all around us who saw the need for a diversified social services and community wellness organization, and they still emerge all the time,” said Simoncini, president of Axiom Communications in Secaucus. “I have all the faith in the world in Mike and Amy to lead us from here, and I love the idea that I am leaving the Y on its best day.”
Axiom has provided pro bono service to the Y since 2010 and will continue to serve in that capacity, according to a news release. The Y’s professional staff has been led since 2018 by David Kisselback, a career YMCA executive, and will host an appreciation event after its Dec. 12 board meeting.
“More than 120 community leaders have contributed their time, talent and treasure in the furtherance of the Y’s mission,” Kisselback said. “In addition to a legacy of excellent board service, literally hundreds of community members volunteer or donate in profound ways that fuel the Meadowlands Y. This event is for them to enjoy the asset they’ve created.”
