The YMCA of Greater San Antonio has chosen its first ever Hispanic CEO, Louis Lopez, who had been working as Chief Operating Officer of the Austin district since 2018.

Lopez was selected following a four-month search for a successor to previous CEO Sandy Morander, who officially stepped down from the role on Dec. 16.

“I am excited and blessed to be returning home to lead the YMCA of Greater San Antonio as the next President and CEO. I have deep roots in San Antonio. It's where I grew up, began my career, and, along with my wife, raised our children,” said Lopez in a statement.

“My commitment to San Antonio and the surrounding areas we serve is that the YMCA will continue to provide best-in-class experiences and much-needed services while exploring innovative opportunities and partnerships to meet the evolving needs of our communities,” he continued.

As Lopez returns from Austin, he will be building upon his prior 23 years of experience, working as YMCA Senior Vice President of Operations of San Antonio until his departure for Austin in 2018.

During this period as Senior Vice President, Lopez was instrumental in the development of programs, such as the Y Healthy Living Program and Síclovía, both of which are signature programs the YMCA has implemented.

His other work includes co-authoring multiple healthy living abstracts in partnership with the UT Health Science Center, and has presented for Center for Disease Control on Open Streets for his early work partnering with the City of San Antonio.

In 2012, he was awarded the “CPPW (Communities Putting Prevention to Work) Local Hero” for his work in conjunction with the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District for the implementation of programs like Ride to Own, Fitness in the Park, and Síclovía.

Additionally, in 2015 he was awarded the “Western Sector Person of the Year” by the West San Antonio Chamber of Commerce for his community work with the Westside of San Antonio.

“During our search for a new CEO, we looked at candidates from throughout the country, but Louis stood out among the rest. His energy and vision for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio is exactly what we were looking for in a leader,” said Chairman of the Board of Directors Manish Kapoor, in a statement.

“Mr. Lopez’s experience, passion towards social responsibility, and proven servant leadership convinced that the YMCA of Greater San Antonio will have fantastic leadership for years to come,” he continued.

In his new role as CEO, Lopez will lead the organization through financial management and development, community relations, staffing, and operations across 11 fitness facilities, a performance training center, over 60 after school care sites, including other locations, as well.

With over 66,000 members, the YMCA of Greater San Antonio provides youth sports programming, a Y Living and Diabetes Prevention Program, fellowship opportunities, and many more locations and services.