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Middletown Y director called ‘very solid leader’

Angela Howard held same post in Hamilton.

Angela Howard, the new executive director of the Middletown Area Family YMCA, started her new position Feb. 6. Howard grew up in Hamilton, but frequently visited family members who live in Middletown.

Staff photo by Nick Graham Angela Howard, the new executive director of the Middletown Area Family YMCA, started her new position Feb. 6. Howard grew up in Hamilton, but frequently visited family members who live in Middletown.

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By Rick McCrabb, Staff Writer 11:31 PM Saturday, February 11, 2012

MIDDLETOWN — At first glance, Angela Howard’s latest career path — executive director of the Hamilton YMCA to the same position in Middletown — appears to be a lateral move.

But when Terrence “Terry” Sherrer Sr. left as director of the Middletown YMCA to become executive director of the Greater Cincinnati-Middletown Area United Way last month, Howard visioned that as “God opening up a door for me.”

And when it comes to career decisions, Howard said God “is the head of my life.”

So after seven years in Hamilton, including six as director, Howard, who lives in Liberty Twp., accepted the Middletown position.

She started Monday and she has met staff and some members. She has been impressed by “all the love” Middletown showed her.

“This place,” she said, “is awesome.”

Howard certainly knows her way around the city. As a youngster growing up in Hamilton, she frequently visited her cousins who live in Middletown. She remembers swimming in the former Douglass pool, and family functions at Bethlehem Temple Apostolic Church on 14th Avenue where her cousin’s husband, the Rev. Roger Smith, is pastor.

Howard’s road from Hamilton to Middletown was winding and included a few detours.

After high school, Howard moved to Pensacola, Fla., and enrolled in cosmetology school. She met her future husband, who was in the U.S. Navy, and they moved to London. They started a family and eventually returned to the U.S., moving to Louisiana. Eleven years ago, they moved back to Butler County.

At the Middletown YMCA, Howard, 41, a mother of three, hopes to enhance the programs and attract more youths. She called the YMCA “a wonderful setting” and said it excels due to “caring and loving members” who want to belong to the downtown facility.

Woody Fitton, president and CEO of the Great Miami Valley YMCA, said he’s been impressed by Howard’s work with youth development and membership.

“She brings a wealth of experience,” he said. “She’s a very solid leader.”

Linda Martin has been named to replace Howard at the Hamilton YMCA.

Fitton praised Sherrer for his work increasing membership during his 4½ years in the city. When the Atrium Family YMCA opened near the hospital, there was much speculation that the downtown YMCA would close. But under Sherrer, net membership grew 80 members last year, joining only the Atrium (300 net members) out of the seven area YMCAs to see increased members.

“That’s a tribute to Terry and his team,” Fitton said.

This was accomplished, Fitton said, during “a great distressed economy” in Middletown.

“It’s been a great challenge for everybody,” he said. Then he added: “Angela will continue the work that Terry started.”

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2842 or rmccrabb@coxohio.com.

Angela Howard

Age: 41

Residence: Liberty Twp.

Occupation: Executive director of Middletown Area Family YMCA

Education: Hamilton High School 1988; bachelor’s degree, Wiley College, Texas; master’s degree, Nova Southeastern University, Florida.

Family: Husband, Kenneth; children, Keiera, 18; Ahlyia, 17; Jeremiah, 12

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