Jeremy Popiel, newly appointed Gr. Pittston YMCA executive director.
Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch
Jeremy Popiel, right, Greater Pittston YMCA executive director, has taken over for Janelle Drach, who moved up to the Greater Wyoming Valley YMCA offices as the new COO.
Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch
Newly appointed Gr. Pittston YMCA Executive Director Jeremy Popiel, right, recently attended the Jefferson Park Neighborhood Cookout. Popiel is seen with City of Pittston Mayor Michael Lombardo.
Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch
PITTSTON — The Greater Pittston YMCA, who falls under the umbrella of the Greater Wyoming Valley YMCA, has a new Executive Director. Jeremy Popiel, a 10-year veteran in the YMCA system, has taken over Janelle Drach, who was elevated to Chief Operations Officer.
Popiel, 33, a native of New Jersey and a graduate of Keystone College majoring in sport and recreation management, accepted a job with the Carbondale YMCA out of college.
“In Carbondale, I was the aquatic and program director,” Popiel said. “I started off in youth programs and wellness helping out mainly with sports and then I moved into cardiac rehab program I helped with.”
The South Abington resident, along with his wife and two dogs, is looking forward to getting his feet wet with the Pittston YMCA.
“What I would like to do is really kind of bolster what’s already established here,” Popiel said. “I don’t want to make too many changes here, I want to strengthen what we have and make our presence known to the community.”
Popiel said he wants the community to know the Y is established and offer many services for all ages from infants to the Silver Sneakers age group.
“I want people to know we are here for them,” added Popiel. “We have programs through the Area of the Aging, Geisinger subsides programs. We can provide different services across the age spectrum.”
Popiel admits it’s too early in the game for him make any hard core decision and will feel things out as time goes on.
He did say he may implement some of the things he did or idea he had while in Carbondale, but for the immediate future, it will be status quo.
Even with the merger of the Wilkes-Barre Y with the Pittston Y, Popiel will still deal with an advisory board for the Pittston branch.
“Total oversight will come from Wilkes-Barre,” Popiel said, on any major decisions regarding the Pittston YMCA.
Popiel said he likes the idea of having the Pittston Y on Main Street with easy identification and access to downtown Pittston.
He is also looking forward to working on joint projects with many of the Greater Pittston agencies; get involved with the local parades and events such as the Tomato Festival and Paint Pittston Pink.
This past week, Popiel met with city mayor, Michael Lombardo and Main Street manager Mary Kroptavich.
Outside of administrative duties, Popiel said he’d like to get hands on as much as possible members and services at the Pittston YMCA.
