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.

In Kris’ free time, she enjoys fishing, watching baseball, and Lego building.  Kris is married to Cindy and they have four children.  Their favorite family activities include catching lightning bugs, geode hunting 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

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!

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

Director of Member Engagement

Stephanie has been a member of our Plattsburgh YMCA team for 20 years!  During the last 3 years, she has been in the Y's Time program as the Child Care Director, helping to guide our programs during the pandemic.  Her support and positivity were crucial to the success of our program during such a challenging time.  Prior to that she was involved in our Y Wee Care Pre-School for 7 years as the Director and Teacher and has run our Summer Camps at the Oval and Camp Tapawingo. She attended Cazenovia College where she obtained her B.A. in Liberal Studies with a focus on Early Childhood Education.

She enjoys being a part of the Y and is excited to start her next journey with us as our Director of Member Engagement!  In her new role, she looks forward to sharing her love of building community by connecting with our members, inviting new faces to the Y (and our Y family) and ensuring that each member’s visit to the Y was better than the last!

Stephanie enjoys making her trademark guacamole and planning pranks on the rest of the Y team.  She loves "any outdoor adventure" but especially likes camping, hiking (even during the winter), kayaking, skiing and snowshoeing. Her proudest achievement though is her kids, Cole and Sophia, who join her for many of her adventures.

Shawn Nazario

Assistant Youth Director

Shawn was born and raised in New York City, in the Bronx area. He graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh with a Psychology Degree. He is Dominican and Puerto Rican and his goal is to bring diversity to the YMCA. Shawn’s first experience at the YMCA was in the summer of 2021 where he became a camp counselor at Camp Tapawingo. During his last year of college he stayed with us as a Counselor for our after school program at Cumberland Head Elementary School. After he graduated he became our Camp Director for Camp Tapawingo and is now our Assistant Youth Director for our School Age program. 

He is enthusiastic about giving all of the kids in our Y’s Time program a great experience and opportunity.  In his free time he enjoys going to the gym, and going on walks with his girlfriend and dog.

Lynne Boyd

Bright Beginnings Child Care Director

Lynne has been a member of our Plattsburgh YMCA team for a very busy and very fast 7 years.  She first joined the YMCA team in the fall of 2015 as an On-Site Director for the Y’s Time After School program in Beekmantown.  After the school year completed, she ran the Bright Beginnings Summer Camp.  She was then hired as the Lead Teacher of the Preschool Classroom and went on to lead the room for 5 years.  Lynne was promoted to Assistant Director of the Bright Beginnings Center at the start of 2022 and has been the Interim Director for the last 4 months.  Lynne has been an exceptionally dedicated member of the staff team and has stepped into the leadership position with great direction and ease.  

Lynne has an Early Childhood Degree and although she’s been with us for just 7 years, she has over 20 years of experience in the field.  She especially loves working for the Y because of our commitment to strengthening the community.

In her spare time, she enjoys being at home with her daughter, spending time with her family, gardening and cooking.

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 & Executive Assistant

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.