GLEN HALE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Glen comes to the WWFY with over 25 years of experience working for a variety of non-profit organizations, including serving as the CFO for multiple entities. Glen joined the WWFY due to the depth and breadth of the scope of its mission, from the wide range of programmatic offerings to community support via grants.
He has a lifelong interest in athletics and sports, both as a participant and a fan, which was an additional draw for him. Additionally, the focus on nurturing the potential of youth was another key factor, since he has two children of his own. Glen finds that being part of a team that assists kids in their development is rewarding.
CHRISTINA SCHERWIN, CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER
Christina has been actively involved with the Westport Weston Family YMCA (WWFY) and the local community since moving to Westport in 2014. She served for four years on the YMCA’s board of directors and continues to leverage her extensive background in competitive sports, coaching, and consulting to enhance WWFY’s program offerings and make a meaningful impact in the community.
A two-time Olympian in the javelin for her native Denmark, Christina competed in the 2004 and 2008 Olympics and was a finalist at the 2005 World Championships. In 2022, she was inducted into the NCAA Hall of Fame as a collegiate athlete. Christina has also served on the Danish Olympic Athlete Commission and the World Athletics Athlete Commission. During her tenure at the University of Oregon, she coached an NCAA champion, a US Olympic Trials champion, and had participants in the World Championships, as well as the London and Rio Olympics.
HALEY BEHM, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
Haley has 15+ years of experience in marketing, design, technology, and operations, leading digital transformation efforts for a variety of nonprofit, retail, and fintech brands. She is skilled in leveraging data and using analytics to optimize the performance and outcomes of marketing campaigns and strategic program initiatives.
Haley says, “Being a part of the YMCA doesn’t just provide you with access to a gym, it includes a sense of welcoming, belonging and pride. I enjoy being able to contribute positively in connecting our community with all of the things that make the Y, its people and its mission so great.”
PATRICK FREEMAN, SENIOR DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS & WELLNESS
Patrick brings over 25 years’ experience to the WWFY in the commercial and corporate health and wellness sectors. His athletic background and competitive spirit complement previous roles – as a fitness manager, personal training manager, and regional director. He wants to impact member satisfaction, staff development, and motivate everyone to lead stronger and healthier lives.
Following his college baseball days as a pitcher at The University of Rhode Island, Patrick decided to pursue natural fitness and bodybuilding with a subtle nudge from his wife, Michelle (a former regional Fitness America champion). Inspiring many along the way, he has competed in numerous amateur and pro-level shows up & down the East Coast.
Patrick recently served as Associate Editor for the Business Edge column (ACSM Journal) for several years. Aside from his medical fitness leadership at Premise Health, Patrick garnered appreciable sales experience while supervising teams at Equinox and The Edge Fitness Clubs.
Patrick enjoys hiking, family time and is very proud of his two boys, Nolan and Logan. Nolan is an avid track athlete at Southern CT State, pursuing a degree in Exercise Science, while Logan is a former 2-time state powerlifting teen record holder and plays varsity soccer at New Milford High School.
KATHY GIGLIO, CHILDCARE & YOUTH SERVICES DIRECTOR
Kathy Giglio is our Childcare and Youth Services Director. She comes to us with over 15 years of experience in the private childcare sector, both in daycares working with children 3 months through 5 years and their families and in youth centers providing both academic and recreational programs for children 4 years through adulthood throughout the school year and summer camp. Kathy has a BA in Child Studies and Early Childhood Education and brings a wealth of knowledge with her on child and family relations, as well as program policies.
She comes from a Hispanic background and enjoys using her fluency in Spanish to help others. Along with leading our before and after-school care programs, she is also one of the faces behind our family events, Camp Hafaday, SpEd programming, and child-related staff trainings.
When she’s not working, Kathy enjoys a house full of kids, friends, extended family, and her dog, Maluma. The WWFY has quickly became a second home and she is excited each day to make a difference in the lives of the children, families, and members here.
ELLEN JOHNSTON, COMPETITIVE SWIMMING DIRECTOR
When Ellen was in high school, she joined the Fairfield YMCA Swim Team. Swimming helped define her as a person. She was the team’s representative for CT Swimming and coached the 8 & under swimmers. Ellen continued coaching at the Fairfield Y through high school.
In 1986, Ellen suffered a knee injury and was unable to coach. While doing physical therapy at the Fairfield Y pool, she was approached by a former teammate’s sibling who told her the WWFY Swim Team was looking for a coach. And a few months later she was on deck. Opportunities have come along, though Ellen has always felt there is more to accomplish with the Water Rats. With support, she has expanded her swimming beyond the pool deck and became a volunteer at the local and national level that has had an impact in the direction and governance in the sport of swimming. Ellen is proud to be associated with the WWFY Swim Team and appreciates all she has experienced.
BRIAN FERENCE, DIRECTOR OF AQUATICS
Brian’s journey with the YMCA began with inspiration from his Boy Scout leader and continued throughout his college years. Although he initially pursued a career in nursing, he found the work environment unfulfilling and joined the Y temporarily while searching for a new job. However, his passion for Aquatics and camp was so profound that he decided to stay, never looking back.
Over the past 21+ years, Brian has embraced a variety of roles at the YMCA, including Lifeguard, Swim Instructor, Camp Lifeguard, Camp Counselor, Fitness Instructor, Wellness Coach, Front Desk Attendant, Lifeguard Instructor, Assistant Aquatics Director, Assistant Camp Director, and more. His commitment to the community and his role as a positive influence in people’s lives is evident in his work. Brian particularly cherishes the opportunity to share his work life with his family, teaching his children to swim, and supporting their emotional and physical growth.
Brian finds immense satisfaction in mentoring young employees and witnessing their development into successful adults, as well as seeing former swim lesson students become lifeguards and camp counselors themselves. His dedication to fostering a healthy and fit lifestyle in others, combined with his love for teaching fitness classes, underscores his commitment to making a meaningful impact. Known for his positivity, kindness, and readiness with a good dad joke, Brian is a passionate leader who believes in creating a safe, fun environment in youth programming and aquatics.
BYRON KNOX, DIRECTOR OF GYMNASTICS
Byron Knox, a former USA National Team gymnast himself, brings over 40 years of competition, coaching and program development experience, at both the collegiate and club levels. Byron has been with the WWFY, part-time since Oct 22 and full time since June 23, coaching the competitive girls’ team and overseeing the gymnastics department. Byron has been the Head Gymnastics Coach at Southern CT State University for the last three years. Prior to that he led the University of Bridgeport to six-straight USA Gymnastics/NCAA Division II National Championships. Byron has coached 70 USA Gymnastics/Individual All-Americans and 150 Scholar Athletes. He is a former USA Women’s Gymnastics National Team Coach and has trained multiple student athletes to go on to compete with the USA Women’s National Team. In addition, he served on the USA Gymnastics Women’s Regional Elite Committee and was the Director for Women’s International Olympic Gymnastics Course, representing the United States in Tobago, Trinidad. He has a record of excellence and is known to build a solid trusting relationship with both gymnasts and parents.
BRIAN KUZMIAK, DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
Brian grew up on Long Island where he was a member of the local YMCA. He always had a positive experience there, so when an opportunity presented itself to join the WWFY, he was definitely open to the possibility.
When Brian came to the WWFY for an interview, he was impressed by the facility and felt the energy and excitement as he watched some of the interactions that were taking place between staff and members. Brian was looking forward to being a part of this environment and serve his community. Since joining WWFY, he has enjoyed watching the children have fun in Adventure Gym or watching members compete at basketball.
ALISON LIGI, DANCE CENTER DIRECTOR
Alison’s love of dance began at 5 years old when she started taking ballet, tap and jazz. Over the years she expanded her repertoire to include hip-hop, lyrical and pointe and pursued her love at Springfield College where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Dance, with a minor in psychology in 2006. While in school she was a member of the SC Dancers and the CT Titan All-Star Open Dance Team. She has continued her education by taking master classes and attending dance conventions throughout the tri-state area.
She has taught all ages and genres at studios, educational programs and summer camps in CT and MA, and has coached and choreographed for local CT high school dance teams. A featured dancer in Mike Lembo’s “Can’t Come Down” and Bgirl Trinity’s “Dance With Me” music videos, Alison has a fun, high-energy approach to teaching and hopes to instill her passion for the art in the students at the WWFY Dance Center!
BRIAN MARAZZI, DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP
Brian’s “Y story” started at the Valley YMCA in Ansonia, CT. in the early 1980’s. It was at this YMCA that he learned to swim, attended various camps, and held his first job as a summer camp counselor in 1994. For the last 30 years he has been a part of the YMCA movement as an employee, and the last 21 years now in a professional capacity. The YMCA communities he has had the opportunity to serve include Cheshire-Southington, Stamford, Norwalk, Hamden-North Haven, and the WWFY now for the last 10 years.
Brian is passionate about helping people improve their lives and serving the community. Being part of the WWFY has been a blessing in his life as he has had the privilege to work with many great people and create lasting relationships with many members and families.
Positively impacting so many lives on a daily basis is what drives Brian to continue as a YMCA professional and he looks forward to doing so for years to come.
EMILY REGAN, CAMP & RECREATION DIRECTOR
Emily is our new Camp and Recreation Director. She comes to us with 15 years of camp, youth sports, and school-aged children experience. Emily graduated from Southern Connecticut State University with a double major in Sport Management & Youth and Community Recreation.
Emily brings her relevant experience to the WWFY. In her spare time she is an avid sports card collector, even starting up her own business buying, selling and trading sports cards at card shows and through social media. Being a hardcore sports fan, she is excited to bring new sports classes to the community. In her spare time Emily likes traveling and spending time with family.
AL VITIELLO, PROPERTY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR
Al Vitiello has early memories of the Tarrytown YMCA swimming with his parents. Soon after, receiving a degree in Construction Technology at SUNY Delhi, he was a member of the White Plains Y where he completed the YMCA/PADI scuba divers certification program. Al recalls an extreme 140’ dive in Rabaul, Papua New Guinea where he was living for 2 years as a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity building sustainable housing for the local people.
With over 20 years of experience as a Physical Plant Director in the nonprofit sector, Al enjoys building on his knowledge and experience. Recently, attending the Columbia University’s CERC program, Property inspection licensing training and Certified Pool Operator certification. As a parent of 4 children in Newtown, Al served on Board of Directors at St. Rose School.
He has fond memories of racing his young boys on the elevated track at the Brookfield YMCA and is excited to continue his Y journey with the Westport Weston Family YMCA team!