YMCA of Greenville hires Jarrod Covington to lead its Prisma Health Family YMCA and YMCA Program Center

25-year YMCA veteran to help address growing needs of Y branch in Simpsonville community

Jarrod Covington has been chosen to lead the YMCA of Greenville’s Prisma Health Family YMCA and YMCA Program Center as district executive director. In this role, Covington will be responsible for the branch’s strategic initiatives, representing and promoting the YMCA of Greenville’s mission and brand to the local community, overseeing staff and operations, directing volunteer and collaborative activities and directing financial development.

The Prisma branch serves the Simpsonville, Mauldin, Five Forks and Fountain Inn communities. The YMCA Program Center is located two miles from the family branch and houses all program offerings, including after school, day and sport camps, swim lessons and youth sports.

Covington, a career YMCA leader, has served in director roles at YMCA branches across the Southeast for more than 20 years. Most recently, he served as district vice president for the YMCA of Central Kentucky in Lexington. A native of Sumter, SC, Covington says the move back to the state is a “bit of a homecoming.”

On joining the Prisma Health Family YMCA, Covington said he was drawn to the position by the great staff team, the beauty of the Upstate, and the potential for growth of the Y to serve more people. “This is a great YMCA; in a great, growing community and with growth comes opportunities,” Covington said. “How can we prepare ourselves at the Y to best serve the growing needs in our communities? Addressing this challenge is exciting for me. This is the place I want to be.”

“We’re thrilled to have Jarrod at the helm of our Prisma Health Family branch,” said YMCA of Greenville president and CEO Scot Baddley. “His energy, leadership and successful track record across other YMCA branches he’s led makes him an excellent fit for our association, and I’m excited to see what he and his team will accomplish for the community.”

Covington graduated from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC and holds several YMCA USA leadership certifications and affiliations, including the YMCA Organizational Leader Certification; member of the YMCA Diversity, Inclusion, Global Leadership Council; YMCA Multicultural Mentor and trainer for Y-USA Dimensions of Diversity Course, Facilitations Skills Course and Volunteerism: Activating Community to Advance our Cause. He also is a graduate of Multicultural Executive Development Institute (MEDI).

About the YMCA of Greenville SC

The YMCA of Greenville is a cause-driven non-profit organization. Our mission is, following the example of Christ, to build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. With a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y nurtures the potential of every youth and teen, improves the health and well-being of our community and provides opportunities to give back and help support our neighbors. Founded in 1876, the Y serves more than 70,000 people annually through programs that include afterschool care, resident and day Camps, aquatics, youth and adult sports, and health and wellness. Programs are offered through four family branches, as well as the Verdae YMCA, Y Camp Greenville, Judson Community Center, the YMCA Program Center and Hollingsworth Outdoor Center. The Y is also home to Y Teen Services and the SC Youth in Government program.

For more information about the YMCA of Greenville, visit ymcagreenville.org, or call (864) 412-0288.