YMCA of Greater Nashua announces retirement of CEO Mike LaChance

The YMCA of Greater Nashua said CEO Mike LaChance will retire effective Aug. 31 after a 40-year YMCA career; the board has named Joe Manzoli to succeed him on Sept. 1.

The YMCA of Greater Nashua said longtime Chief Executive Officer Mike LaChance will retire effective Aug. 31 after a 40-year career in the YMCA movement and more than three decades of leadership in New Hampshire. LaChance began his YMCA work through a college assignment and moved from summer camp counselor to CEO in 2003. Since joining the Greater Nashua association in 1993, he helped expand branches, programs, and partnerships that now serve more than 40,000 people annually across southern New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts. The Board of Directors has unanimously selected Joe Manzoli as the next CEO, effective Sept. 1, to lead the planned transition. Key details: - Retirement effective Aug. 31 after a 40-year YMCA career. - CEO since 2003; joined YMCA of Greater Nashua in 1993. - Association now serves more than 40,000 individuals annually across the region. - Major initiatives under his leadership included the Nashua and Westwood Park branches and expansion of early childhood education at the Merrimack Y, noted as the largest YMCA childcare site in the country. - Led facility investments at Camp Sargent and expanded emergency childcare and essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic. - Regional recognitions include a 2018 Outstanding Achievement Award from the New Hampshire Governor's Council on Physical Activity and Health and a 2024 Community Advocacy Award from the Eastern Bank Foundation. Summary: LaChance's retirement marks the close of a long tenure that the YMCA says strengthened community programs, facilities, and partnerships across the region. The board's selection of Joe Manzoli as CEO, effective Sept. 1, is presented as a step toward a thoughtful and seamless leadership transition. Further organizational plans were not detailed in the announcement.