In honor of the Augusta South Family YMCA’s 10th anniversary celebrated earlier this month, the Family YMCA of Greater Augusta wishes to honor two employees who’ve been an integral part of this branch’s success since its opening in 2006.

Upon retiring from the Army in 2002, after achieving great success as First Sergeant in the Army, Bill Crowder joined the Wilson Family YMCA as their Wellness Director in 2003. Crowder still remembers the moment that he knew the YMCA was where he needed to be.

“A member came into my office one day and told me he wanted his kids to learn how to swim but he only had $20 to his name,” says Crowder. “Putting the YMCA’s mission into practice, we were able to help him out and get his kids into swim lessons. That day changed my life and reassured me that this was where I was meant to be.”

Crowder continued great success with the YMCA, moving on to become the Branch Director for the Augusta South Family YMCA in 2006. As of 2013, he has moved through the ranks to become the Chief Operating Officer of the Family YMCA of Greater Augusta.

“I’m able to give back to the communities we serve through the YMCA,” Crowder says. “That’s the most rewarding part of my job.”

Augusta South Family YMCA Member Services Director Amanda Dixon began with the YMCA in 2006, upon meeting Bill Crowder during renovations of what would become the Augusta South Family YMCA. Dixon still remembers starting with the Augusta South branch like it was yesterday, and has enjoyed every moment of the last 10 years she’s been with this branch.

“I love our members and our mission. It’s so much more than a job, its family,” says Dixon. “At the end of the day, this is hands down one of the most rewarding jobs I’ve ever held.”  

Dixon continues saying she would not be able to do her job well if it weren’t for the great staff she is surrounded with daily, especially the Augusta South branch’s Business Office Manager Stefanie Davis. Davis joined the Augusta South branch months following the branch’s opening and Dixon says she couldn’t be more grateful for Davis’ hard work alongside her daily at the branch.

The Augusta South Family YMCA has far exceeded its success since the branch first opened. According to YMCA of Greater Augusta President/CEO Danny McConnell, he attributes much of the branch’s success to Crowder and Dixon.
“Bill and Amanda have been in the trenches since day one of joining our YMCA family, developing relationships and educating the community about what the YMCA can do for them,” says McConnell. “They love people well and love our mission at the YMCA. I’ve seen great growth in both of them since they first joined our team, and I couldn’t imagine this organization without them.”