Justin Ihne

CEO

Justin started as the CEO for the Plattsburgh YMCA in January 2017, but has been involved with the Y since the age of 9. Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, Justin got his first Y experience at YMCA Camp Becket in Massachusetts. Justin learned to swim over his years as a camper and grew up at Camp Becket becoming staff member in the late 80’s.

In 1991, he started working for the YMCA of Kingston and Ulster County. There, he grew his career running after school programs and day camps. Justin became the Associate Executive Director in Kingston and in 2010 became the CEO for the Northern Berkshire YMCA in North Adams, Massachusetts. There, with a great group of staff and volunteers, helped the YMCA grow and created strong partnerships. Most recently Justin was the Executive Director for the Metro of the Oranges YMCA.

Justin spends much if his off time with this wife Sophie, sons Ethan and Rowan, and daughter Marley and Ollie their dog.

Kris Tate

Chief Operations Officer (COO)

Kris joined the Plattsburgh YMCA in the fall of 2018 as the Sr. Director of Program Operations and is now the Chief Operations Officer since the start of 2022.  Kris was born and raised in rural Iowa and graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Philosophy and a focus in Ethics, Criminal Justice and Political Philosophy.

Prior to Kris’ time with us, Kris spent 15 years with a Community Action agency and during the last 10 years was the Family & Community Partnerships Coordinator.  In that role, what was most important was to create a welcoming second home for families to come, to build and nurture community partnerships and to always be thinking of “what’s next” for the organization and community.  That experience and those values are what Kris plans to share in her work at the Plattsburgh YMCA.

In Kris’ free time, she enjoys fishing, birdwatching, and Lego building.  Kris is married to Cindy and they have four children – Sophie, Eloise, Juliette and Mateo.  Their favorite family activities include catching lightning bugs, geode hunting, game nights and going on adventures.

Michelle Schumacher

Malone Executive Director

Michelle Schumacher moved to Malone in 2004. She has been the Branch Executive Director since 2006. Michelle was raised in Attleboro, Massachusetts where the YMCA played an integral part of her childhood. Michelle, Stefan and their two sons live in Mountain View, NY where they enjoy the peace of nature and sports.

Krista Crippen

Oval Branch Coordinator/ Personal Trainer

Krista Crippen is the Assistant Fitness Director and a Personal Trainer here at the Plattsburgh YMCA. What she likes about working at the Y is all of the members; she says they are like family. Hobbies of Krista’s are walks with her family, watching her girls grow into beautiful young ladies, and talking to her cats. She believes a set of jumping jacks everyday does a body good!

Sonja Brown

Marketing & Membership Director

Sonja Brown was born and raised in Peru, New York and she earned her bachelors degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She was an advanced coach for the Skating Club of the Adirondacks for 7 years. She enjoys traveling, the outdoors, hiking, running, and spending time with family and friends. She looks forward to continuing to foster the great community atmosphere here at the Plattsburgh YMCA and getting more people the opportunity to join and experience all that we have to offer here. It is a wonderful place to make friends, get in shape, and just have a good time! If you have any questions, comments, or concerns she is open to hearing them, as she wants everyone who comes through the front door to be excited about coming here, and wants them to leave with a smile on their face.

Christine Casazza

Aquatics Director

Christine was born and raised in Syracuse New York and was an avid swimmer growing up. Her first employment as a lifeguard at the age of 15 led her to pursue a career in aquatics. She is enthusiastic about giving all children the best opportunity to learn safety around the water and creating a welcoming atmosphere for adults to interact and socialize. Everyone comes through the doors with a different story and struggle os she wants this Y's aquatic center tobe a place to foster friendship and skills. She is certified as a lifeguard, lifeguard instructor, lifeguard instructor trainer and swim instructor. She attended Salem State College where she studied Aquatic Management and Rehabilitation. When not at work Christine enjoys spending time with family, friends and most of all her daughter.

Stephanie Purcell

School Age Child Care Coordinator

Stephanie Purcell was raised in Plattsburgh, New York. She attended Cazenovia College where she graduated with her bachelors. She has always had a strong passion for working with children. She has worked for the YMCA since 2003. She has worked at Camp Jericho as a counselor, the After School Program, Bright Beginnings and Y Wee Care as a preschool teacher. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering at community meals and anything outdoors. She is married and has two children, Cole, and Sophia.

Jacqueline Prather

Bright Beginnings Child Care Director

Jackie has been employed by the Y since 1996. For three years she was with the school age child care program and has been with the Bright Beginnings Child Care Center since. Her main responsibilities are to provide a warm, safe environment, with qualified staff for a fully enrolled center. Prior to the Y Jackie worked 5 years with the former AFB Child Development Center and 2 years in the DODDS school system at Torrejon AFB, Spain. She is a Plattsburgh State graduate. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, family and friends. Her passion is working with families and people in general.

Chris Burdash

Youth Sports Director

Chris was born and raised in Malone, New York. He earned his Bachelors Degree from The State University of New York @ Suny Potsdam where he also played College Basketball for the Bears. Christopher has been Coaching Youth and the Youth Sports Coordinator at the YMCA for over 4 years. Currently, he teaches at Peru Central School District and is also the Assistant Boys Soccer Coach. Christopher has been involved in coaching High School, Middle School and Youth Sports for over 15 years. His goal at the YMCA is to keep growing the Youth Sports Program and continue to make it a fun, safe, learning environment for the youth in the North Country. In Christopher’s free time he likes to travel, watch sports, spend time with his family and his dogs. Christopher resides with his Girlfriend and her 15 year old son.

Melissa Kuhns

Development Coordinator

Melissa joined the Plattsburgh YMCA as the Development Coordinator in July of 2022, after relocating from her home state of Michigan. Melissa’s background includes her military service, when she served as a Security Police officer for the US Air Force in northern Japan, and, as an adult learner, earning her bachelor’s degree in human service. Melissa is passionate about facilitating positive change for people and communities and empowering others; she values collaboration.

Melissa enjoys photography, painting, resin-art, and gardening. Her family means the world to her.