Robert Carlson will retire as president and CEO of the YMCA of the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Area effective March 1, 2026, after 30 years with the local organization.
Mr. Carlson, who has spent 40 years total with the YMCA organization, announced his retirement in a letter to the YMCA community. The Cedar Rapids Metro YMCA Board has contracted with Y-USA to conduct a nationwide search for his successor.
“The YMCA has been more than a career; it has been my calling,” Mr. Carlson wrote in his announcement letter. “I started right out of college and have been fortunate to serve in four organizations across three states.”
During his tenure, Mr. Carlson oversaw construction of three new facilities and membership growth to record levels. The organization also navigated recovery from the 2008 flood, the 2020 derecho and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under Mr. Carlson’s leadership, the organization expanded Camp Wapsie’s footprint, completed infrastructure improvements and developed new programming and community partnerships.
“None of this would have been possible without the dedicated volunteers, staff, leadership teams, and members who made this work feel like family,” Mr. Carlson wrote.
Mr. Carlson said he will remain fully committed to his role until retirement and plans to stay in the Cedar Rapids area with his family after stepping down.
The YMCA of the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Area serves more than 15,000 members across two facilities, plus Camp Wapsie. The organization, which has operated for over 152 years, also hosts 3,000 summer campers annually and 2,500 retreat participants. As a nonprofit, the Y provides financial assistance on a sliding scale to ensure access regardless of ability to pay.
