Association Leadership

David Jezek’s YMCA career technically began decades ago as a youth in YMCA athletic and social programs, where his father served as a staff leader throughout David’s childhood. A Texas Tech University graduate and scholarship student athlete, David has applied his mastery of physical education and his natural affinity for helping others through various roles, building a successful lifelong career. The foundation of his career included roles as Lifeguard, Swim Coach, Aerobics Instructor, Camp Counselor, Physical Director, Executive Director, Vice President, and Chief Operating Officer across YMCAs in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Florida. 

David joined the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg as President & CEO in 2008 and has since been a driving force in the organization’s substantial growth and sustainable community impact.  During his tenure, this Y Association has tripled its operating budget and maintained a healthy financial position. More than $40,000,000 in new capital projects highlight David’s leadership, including the Childs Park YMCA, Bardmoor YMCA, three thriving Preschool Academies and the new Speer YMCA developed in partnership with the Pinellas County School Board. This innovative approach of building a Y in collaboration with a middle school was recognized by the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s Community Impact Award in December 2022. 

David lives in downtown St. Petersburg with his wife, Susan. He is extremely proud of his three grown sons – Tyler, Landon and Mackenzie — and his five grandchildren.

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.

Michelle Curtis, CFRE, is our chief development officer and vice president of philanthropy at the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg. Utilizing her many years of both career and volunteer experience in fundraising, Michelle provides strategic leadership in financial development to advance the YMCA’s mission through annual giving, major gifts, planned giving and capital campaigns. Additionally, through promoting a culture of philanthropy, she strives to position the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg as a “charity of choice” for our local community in all that she does.

In her time at the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg, Michelle has focused on a number of fundraising initiatives including the creation of a multi-year giving society, leadership giving and grant administration. Under Michelle’s leadership, the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg has experienced a 300% increase in annual giving and a 200% increase in grant funding. She is a service delivery provider consultant for Y-USA for financial development and co-chair of the financial development peer group for the Florida Alliance of YMCAs. Michelle is also a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and chair of a leadership development focus group. She became a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) in 2018.

A longtime Pinellas County resident, Michelle attended the University of Florida, where she earned a BS in Public Relations. She also holds an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration from St. Petersburg College. Michelle loves to travel and play piano, and her four grandchildren and three dogs keep her busy in her personal time.

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.

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.

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.

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.