PITTSTON — Janelle Drach has a strong background in recreation and recreation management and, since relocating to northeast Pennsylvania, she’s been looking for the right career fit. She didn’t have to look far.
Drach, 39, has been working at Cawley Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation on Main Street the past year as the Director of External Marketing when she learned the Greater Pittston YMCA was searching for a new executive director. She applied, interviewed and was offered the job.
Drach’s appointment to lead the YMCA has her excited to get back into recreation.
“I’m excited to be a part of something that I’m really passionate about, community recreation and providing opportunities for families and intergenerational programming,” Drach said after accepting the YMCA job. “That motivates me and excites me and I love giving back to the community. That’s the way I found I can do that by providing exceptional programming that’s affordable and accessible.”
Working in downtown Pittston has been advantageous to Drach as she enters her new role.
“Working at Cawley allowed me the opportunity to really learn the region extensively and I feel like a local now,” she said. “This is a nice transition for me.”
Drach received a degree in Recreation Management from SUNY Cortland in 2002. After graduating, she worked for three years at a residential treatment facility for children before deciding to pursue a master’s degree in Sports Management at Springfield College in Massachusetts.
“Springfield College started as a teaching ground for YMCA counselors,” Drach said. “So, it’s kind of a cool connection to actually be working for a YMCA now.”
After completing her master’s degree, Drach worked in the recreation program at Binghamton University for a year before ending back in her hometown of Geneva, NY, where she accepted a job as the city’s recreation director, a position she held for 10 years.
She is no stranger to athletics, having played soccer, softball and basketball through high school and soccer in college. Today, she plays tennis and golf when she’s not caring for her two children, Caleb, 4, and Addison, 2.
Drach and her husband Jonathan, currently in his second year as the head football coach at Wilkes University, reside in Mountain Top with the children.
Drach’s first indoctrination to Pittston last year was attending the Pittston Tomato Festival.
“It was such a cool experience and it was cool to see how this community rallies around some fun programs and ideas,” she said. “We came down for the Paint Pittston Pink event and St. Patrick’s Day Parade and really just got the sense that Pittston is starting to pay attention to the community needs and bring in positive aspects that will uplift it.”
Drach loves the artwork in and around the city and looks forward to more upcoming events the city will offer.
Tomorrow will mark Drach’s first day at the helm of the Greater Pittston YMCA.
