Staff Directory

Nicci Bucher joined YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg as President & CEO in November 2025. Nicci joins our Y from her previous role as Chief Operating Officer of YMCA of Central Florida, bringing more than 20 years of YMCA leadership experience and a proven commitment to strengthening communities through collaboration, innovation, and impact.   

Throughout her career, Nicci has been recognized for her visionary leadership and her ability to inspire teams to deliver meaningful results. One of the most distinctive aspects of her professional journey includes leading the-nationally accredited early learning operations on Walt Disney World® Resort property, a role that reflected her dedication to high-quality, accessible education and family engagement.  

Nicci holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Social Work from Florida State University. Originally from Orlando, she has two children, both attending college in Florida. In her free time, Nicci enjoys exploring Florida’s natural beauty, traveling with family and friends, and building meaningful connections in her community. 

Seth Milbrand joined our team as Chief Operating Officer in January 2025. Seth has more than 20 years of experience with three YMCA Associations, and is a purpose-driven leader dedicated to strengthening communities through innovative programs and collaborative leadership. Seth is known for cultivating high-performing teams and fostering a culture of service that supports the YMCA mission.

Before joining YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg, Seth served as District Vice President at YMCA of the Suncoast, where he oversaw four branches. Among his many accomplishments, he developed strategic plans tailored to unique community needs, increased retention rates, and spearheaded philanthropic efforts to support local programs. Seth also successfully guided his team through significant capital projects, including facility expansions and transitions. His ability to inspire teams and connect with community partners has driven transformative results, creating lasting change for the individuals and families he serves.

Seth earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Lycoming College, where he played varsity soccer and was the founding president of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity. Outside of work, he enjoys watching and playing sports, staying active and cherishing time with his wife and two children.

As a seasoned finance professional and strategic leader, Patricia serves in the CEO’s senior leadership team as the Chief Financial Officer. In her role, she oversees and manages all financial matters and provides strategic direction and leadership for business operations and initiatives across the association.

Before joining the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg, Patricia spent more than a decade working with multiple for-profit and nonprofit organizations, successfully leading various areas such as finance, administration, information technology, human resources, and operations. 

Patricia’s passion for her community and giving back is reflected through her participation in various causes such as the public policy, transportation, and finance committees at the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce. Patricia is also a board member of Girls Inc. of Pinellas, and was the Chair of the St. Pete Young Professionals in 2020.

Patricia earned her BS in Accounting from SUNY Old Westbury and is currently pursuing her MBA. Patricia loves traveling, staying active, serving at her church, and spending time with her husband and daughter.

A strong promoter and advocate of the Y movement, Lisa Eccles joined our team as the Chief Marketing & Communications Officer in 2022. In her role, Lisa provides strategic direction for all marketing efforts executed by the Association. She also guides the strategy to ensure effective, accurate and engaging communication both internally and externally. 

Lisa joined our Y from her previous role as the Marketing & Communications Director for YMCA of the Rockies in Colorado and has more than 30 years of combined professional experience in Marketing, Communications and Public Relations. She is a member of the Y Collective Marketing Initiative and is thrilled to continue her YMCA career with the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg. 

Lisa has a BS in Journalism with an emphasis in Public Relations from the University of Colorado. As a new Floridian, she enjoys all things in, on and around the water and spends her time exploring the area’s beaches and byways with her husband.

Matthew joined the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg in 2025 and serves as Facilities and Operations Director, overseeing the maintenance, safety, and capital improvement of multiple YMCA locations. He provides strategic leadership to ensure our facilities remain welcoming, efficient, and aligned with our mission to serve the greater St. Petersburg community.

He brings more than 15 years of experience managing multi-site operations and large-scale capital projects. Before joining our Y, Matthew served as Regional Program Manager for Rebuilding Together Greater Florida, where he directed long-term disaster recovery and home rehabilitation programs across seven facilities. His earlier roles include Operations Director at Daystar Life Center and Director of Finance and Operations at AGAPE, where he led facility management, budgeting, and emergency response initiatives.

Matthew holds both a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. A Florida resident, he enjoys the outdoors and can often be found biking, exploring local beaches, and spending time with his family.

Craig joined the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg in 2022 and is responsible for overseeing our business operations team and leading our association in all program and membership initiatives across the greater St. Petersburg area. Craig’s role is vital, providing strategic leadership to deliver impactful services that meet the community's needs.

Craig has served in multiple roles across the Y Movement. Prior to joining our Y, he served as Executive Director of two YMCA locations for the YMCA of Central Florida. He first joined the Y family as a part-time wellness coach and personal trainer in 2008. 

Craig graduated from the University of Central Florida, where he earned a BS in Health Sciences. Born and raised in Florida, he takes full advantage of all that Pinellas County has to offer by enjoying the beaches, biking, golfing and exploring the town with his wife and daughter.

As executive director of Bardmoor YMCA, Laura Kelly leads the branch in operations, supporting the strategic direction of the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg. She oversees the management and development of the branch’s staff, member experience, programs and events, as well as the volunteer Bardmoor YMCA Branch Council. 

Laura began her Y career in 2010 as a part-time staff member in before-and-after school care at the YMCA of Greater Brandywine. Two years later, she became their Director of Healthy Living, where she oversaw revenue-based fitness programming. 

In 2015, Laura moved to Florida and joined the YMCA of the Suncoast as their Director of Healthy Living. She was promoted to Senior Director of Branch Operations in 2016 and led her branch’s $80,000 Community Support Campaign. Laura joined the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg in 2021 as the Senior Director of Membership and Wellness at Bardmoor YMCA.

Laura is a graduate of West Chester University, where she earned an MBA with a concentration in Leadership.

Scott Morin, executive director of Jim & Heather Gills YMCA, leads the branch in operations, developing programs and events, managing staff, overseeing the volunteer Branch Council and ensuring safety and satisfaction among members during their visits. Always seeking opportunities to grow and improve the member experience, Scott also oversaw the complete remodeling of the Jim & Heather Gills YMCA in 2021.

Before joining us at the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg, Scott spent nearly 23 years with the YMCA of Manatee County in various leadership capacities. A proud “Y guy for life,” he held key positions in building multiple programs and opening two new facilities during his tenure there, as well as a leadership position on a facility expansion project.

Scott holds a BS in Leisure Resource Facilities Management from Green Mountain College, where he also played soccer. He has a wife and two daughters and enjoys playing golf in his personal time. Scott also loves watching his youngest daughter play competitive soccer.

Katie Kailing joined our team in 2024 as the Executive Director of Speer YMCA. She leads the branch in facility management, team leadership and community engagement. Katie oversees daily operations, develops programs to meet the needs of the community and works to ensure a welcoming, vibrant atmosphere for both members and staff. 

Her previous YMCA experience includes roles in aquatics and member engagement in Virginia and Texas, where she honed her skills in creating impactful programs, leading teams, and enhancing the member experience. 

After leaving the Y in 2014, Katie took her talents to New Zealand where she focused on enhancing communities through sports, recreation and strategic planning. Upon returning to the United States after nearly a decade in New Zealand, Katie joined Speer YMCA as a member before stepping into her leadership role. 

Katie holds a Bachelor of Science in Recreation Administration from Texas State University and a Masters of Commerce in Innovation and Commercialization from Victoria University in New Zealand. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring Florida’s natural beauty with her family and spending time by the water.

A dedicated advocate of early childhood education, Tracey Frank serves as the Executive Director of Early Childhood Education for the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg. With nearly 20 years of experience, Tracey is committed to shaping and managing top-tier educational programs that meet diverse developmental needs. In her current role, she oversees the operations and supervision of our Preschool Academies. Tracey plays a key role in developing strategies that inspire staff and align with the association’s annual strategic goals while ensuring strict compliance with state and local regulations.

Tracey began her journey with our YMCA as the Academy Director at Bardmoor YMCA Preschool Academy and later returned to serve as the Curriculum and Management Specialist for Preschool Academies. Her time in these roles solidified her expertise in program management, team development and operational efficiency.

A Tampa Bay native, Tracey holds a BA in Philosophy from University of South Florida and MS in Early Childhood Administration from National Louis University. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends and is passionate about integrating her educational background with practical expertise to advance early childhood education.

Kim Lohrey joined the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg in 2019 and serves as the Executive Director of Education. In her role, Kim oversees the YReads! Program and Middle School Academies, leading our efforts to promote child literacy and academic development throughout Pinellas County Schools, from Kindergarten through Grade 8. She plays a crucial role in guiding our staff and volunteers, ensuring a focus on the holistic development of students, which includes academic, social, and emotional growth.

Before joining the YMCA, Kim spent 15 years in the education field, where she honed her expertise in child literacy and student success. Her leadership is instrumental in fostering a collaborative culture among students, families, and schools, working closely with teachers to create impactful educational experiences.

Kim earned a MA in Reading from Central Connecticut State University and holds a BS from Simmons College in Boston. Outside of her work, Kim enjoys traveling to the Northeast with her husband to visit their four children and cherishes spending time with her grandson.

William Battle McQueen was awarded the honorary lifetime position of Board Member Emeritus for the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg in 2020. He served on the YMCA Board of Directors for a total of fifteen years from 1994 to 2002 and again from 2014 to 2019. He was Board Chair from 1996 to 1999, and Philanthropy Committee Chair from 2017-2019. Bill has always been a steadfast champion of our YMCA, giving of his time, talent and treasure throughout the years. His advocacy and philanthropic support continue today through his support of our new YMCA project in partnership with the Pinellas County School Board. 

Bill Stover, elected to the honorary position of Board Emeritus for the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg, served on the YMCA Board of Directors for more than 20 years. During that time, he served as Board Chair during the opening of the Jim & Heather Gills YMCA. He played an instrumental role in our Gills capital fundraising campaign, one that would positively change the trajectory of our local Y Movement. We honor Bill's ongoing advocacy, and the lasting legacy of his Board leadership and philanthropic support.

Bill has served on our Board of Directors since 2000, demonstrating over two decades of exceptional commitment to our organization. His distinguished service includes serving as the 34th Chair of the Board of Directors from 2006 to 2007, exemplifying the leadership criterion required for this prestigious recognition. Throughout his tenure, Bill has been a generous donor to the YMCA, making meaningful financial contributions that have supported our mission and enabled us to expand our impact in the Greater St. Petersburg community. Beyond financial support, Bill has consistently engaged in volunteer and advocacy activities as a dedicated YMCA leader. Notably, during his term as Chair, Bill was instrumental in securing the partnership with the City of St. Petersburg to establish the Childs Park YMCA, a significant achievement that has greatly benefited our community. Additionally, he has served in leadership capacities on numerous YMCA committees, demonstrating his deep commitment to advancing our organization's mission.

Certifications:

Areas of Specialty:

• Chair/adaptive yoga
• Senior Populations Personal Training
• Yoga, Pilates, Cycling, Group Fitness
• Women's Hormonal Healthcare

Certifications:

• ISSA Certified Personal Trainer
• AFAA Senior Fitness
• AFAA Group Fitness Instructor
• BPM Cycling

Areas of Specialty:

• Strength Training
• HIIT
• Balance and Mobility
• Senior Fitness

Certifications:

• Licensed Massage Therapist MA100291
• NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
• ACE Orthopedic Exercise Specialist
• ACE Sport and Conditioning Specialist
• PTA Global Behavior Change in Exercise certification

Areas of Specialty:

• Strength and Conditioning
• Corrective Exercise

Certifications:

• Certified Nutrition Weight Management Counselor
• Certified SilverSneakers, LiveSTRONG, and Zumba Instructor
• YMCA Diabetes Prevention Coach

Areas of Specialty:

• Motivating people

Certifications:

• ACE Certified Personal Trainer
• AEA Aquatic Fitness Professional
• AFAA Certified Group Fitness Instructor
• HSI Basic Life Support
• HSI Adult First Aid, CPR & AED
• NASM Senior Fitness Specialist
• Silver Sneakers Foundations/Classic Instructor
• LaBlast Dance

Areas of Specialty:

• Water Fitness
• Active Aging Fitness
• Silver Sneakers
• LaBlast Dance

Certifications:

• American College of Sports Medicine
• International Olympic Committee--Olympic Solidarity Course-Weightlifting
• US Cycling Federation
• Methods of Group Exercise Instruction, Human Kinetics
• State of Florida Teaching Certification, K-12 Physical Education

Areas of Specialty:

• Human Performance
• Strength Conditioning
• Periodization/Training Program Design
• Strength & Conditioning of Athletes

 Certifications:

• Fitness and Nutrition 
• OSHA Safety and Health Management

Areas of Specialty:

• Health and Nutrition
• Bodybuilding
• Weight loss

Certifications:

• B.S., Exercise Science
• ACSM Personal Trainer
• AFAA Group Exercise Instructor
• ACE Certified Fitness Nutrition Specialist
• Certified Inclusive Fitness Specialist
• LES MILLS™BODYBALANCE, BODYPUMP, RPM, YOGA and TONE Instructor

Areas of Specialty:

• Functional strength
• Strength training
• Active older adult fitness
• Fitness nutrition
• Mobility training
• Pre/post rehab
• Cancer recovery
• Arthritis

Certifications:

• NASM Certified Personal Trainer
• EXOS Fitness Specialist
• BayCare POWER Cancer Trainer
• Precision Nutrition Level 1 Coach

Areas of Specialty:

• Pre/post rehab
• New or returning to exercise
• Medical fitness
• Strength training
• Functional training

Certifications:

• YMCA Certified Personal Trainer

Areas of Specialty:

• Functional training
• Strength training

Certifications:

• ACE Certified Personal Trainer
• AFAA Certified Personal Trainer
• ACE Group Instructor
• ACE Health Coach
• IDEA Master Trainer

Areas of Specialty:

• Strength training
• Balance and flexibility training
• Functional fitness
• Pre/post rehab
• Core stability
• Corrective exercise

Certifications:

• ACE Certified Personal Trainer
• YMCA Fitness Specialist
• Program Design for Personal Trainers
• TRX Certified Instructor

Areas of Specialty:

• Strength training
• Range of motion
• Balance and flexibility training
• Working with active older adults

Certifications:

• B.S. in Sport & Exercise Science, with a specialization in Human Performance
• Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
• USA Weightlifting (USAW) Level 1 Sport Performance Coach
• CrossFit Level 1 Instructor
• CrossFit Kids Specialty Course

Areas of Specialty:

• Weight Loss
• Strength Training
• Hypertrophy Training
• Performance Training
• Mobility & Flexibility
• Youth Heath & Fitness
• Senior Health & Fitness
• Adaptive Training
• Rehabilitation
• Nutrition

Certifications:

• ACE Certified Personal Trainer

Areas of Specialty:

• Strength training
• Balance and flexibility training
• Pre/post rehab
• Sports conditioning

Certifications:

• YMCA Certified Personal Trainer
• ICG Certified Cycling Instructor

Areas of Specialty:

• Run Coach
• Novice exercisers
• Strength training
• Weight loss
• Functional training

Certifications:

• NFPT Certified Personal Trainer
• B.S., Exercise Science
• A.S., Dietetics
• LES MILLS™ BODYPUMP Instructor
• Small Group Personal Trainer

Areas of Specialty:

• Strength training
• Athletic training
• Weight loss
• Muscle gain
• New or returning to exercise
• Nutrition

Certifications:

• ISSA Certified Personal Trainer
• CPR/AED Certified
• NPC National Physique Competition
  • Competitor - Mens 35-45 Physique Board Shorts Qualifier and Ranked

Areas of Specialty:

• Strength Training
• Weight Loss
• Muscle Gain
• Foundational Fitness Training
• Nutrition
• Athletic Training
• Physique Training

Certifications:

• B.S. Biochemistry
• NASM Certified Personal Trainer
• NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist
• NASM Senior Fitness Specialist
• Silver Sneakers Circuit, Classic, Yoga
• AFAA Group Fitness Instructor

Areas of Specialty:

• Senior Fitness
• Core Stabilization, Strength & Balance
• Sport-Specific Training
• Strength Endurance Training
• Functional Corrective Movement
• Functional Rehabilitation
• Power Training

Certifications:

• YMCA Certified Personal Trainer
• ACE Certified Personal Trainer

Areas of Specialty:

• Muscle gain
• Strength training
• Weight loss
• Youth training

Certifications:

• AFAA Certified Personal Trainer
• Certified Les Mills Instructor
• Certified Swing Cycling Instructor
• Certified SilverSneakers & Yoga Instructor
• YMCA Diabetes Prevention LifeCoach

Areas of Specialty:

• Muscle mass increase in women over 30
• Weight training
• HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training)

Certifications:

• Exercise Development Specialist/Plant-Based Nutritionist
• American Council on Exercise (ACE) Certified Personal Trainer
• Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate from eCornell and T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies

Areas of Specialty:

• Posture assessment & corrective exercise
• Core & spinal stabilization
• Total body flexibility & strength
• Injuries & post rehab
• Nutrition & weight management

Certifications:

• ACE
• Silver Sneakers
• Chair Yoga

Areas of Specialty:

• Senior fitness
• Balance
• Strength training
• Chair yoga
• Weight loss

Certifications:

• NASM
• LPGA Golf Pro

Areas of Specialty:

• Strength
• Sports Specific Training - Golf
• Senior Fitness
• Functional Fitness

Certifications:

• B.S. Physical Education
• NASM Certified Personal Trainer

Areas of Specialty:

• Sports training (Specifically football)
• Speed, agility & quickness
• Strength training
• Functional training
• Weight loss/Muscle gain

Certifications:

• AFAA Certified Group Exercise Instructor 

Areas of Specialty:

• Diet/Nutrition (keto/low-carb)
• Diabetes reversal support 
• Strength training
• Functional training
• Injury recovery 

Certifications:

• YMCA Certified Personal Trainer

Areas of Specialty:

• Strength training
• Weight loss
• Muscle gain