At the YMCA, we believe in hiring by the KASH method. KASH stands for Knowledge, Attitude, Skills, and Habit. There are two traits you cannot change; Attitude and Habits. We focus on hiring people with great, positive attitudes and great, working habits. We can give them the knowledger and skills they need to perform their job! Another characteristic we strive for is service. We believe in providing the exceptional service and making a difffence in the lives we serve. Our creed is GYM-GEM. This stands for Greet Your Member, Go the Extra Mile. We want all our team members to 'go the extra mile' and please let us know if you notice someone not doing this!!
Chad Knight, Chief Executive Officer
Being a YMCA rat at a young age and growing up in Garden City, I was blessed to learn many lifelong skills at the Y. I was fortunate that my mom and dad provided me the opportunities to learn and play racquetball, basketball, swim and learn many other values at the YMCA. I graduated from the University of Kansas (Rock Chalk Jayhawk) with a Bachelor of Science in Education. My major was Recreation Management. Growing up in the YMCA, it was always my dream to come back and work at the YMCA. I would always tell the Sports Director, Greg Reinert that I was going to come back and have his job! I was the Sports Director twice before I came back in 2000 to become the Executive Director. Being the CEO, it gives me great honor to lead both of our YMCA branches and provide those lifelong skills to others. I believe in the YMCA Mission and I couldn’t think of anywhere else I would rather work! You could say I am living the dream! I can assure you that we will continue our mission, stress the importance of healthy lifestyles, listen to your needs and wants, and make sure our Character Counts in all of our programs!
Family: My family includes my wife Veronica, my daughter Caleigh, and son Camden.
Hobbies: I enjoy playing racquetball, basketball and swimming at the Y. I love to officiate all sports, particularly basketball and football. My biggest thrill is coaching my kids, especially baseball/softball, and other kids in all their YMCA activities or other programs.
Krystal Richardson, Chief Administrator
I LOVE the OPPORTUNITY that I have to be a part of this wonderful YMCA family! I have been with the YMCA since 2006 and have worked the front desk, supervised the front desk, served as Family Director, a short stint as Branch Executive Director and now the Chief Administrator . I am married to my best friend Jeremy. I am a HUGE fan a football, basketball, music, camping, fishing, cooking, and smiling. I am eternally grateful for this wonderful OPPORTUNITY, and will always believe and proudly support the YMCA Mission.
Crystal Erives, Membership Director
Hi!! I'm Crystal Erives the Membership Director here at your Garden City Family YMCA. I was born and raised here. I have worked here at the Y since August 2012. I started at our Front Desk, was promoted to Membership Coordinator in November 2012, & in May of 2013 I was promoted to the Membership Director. I love everything there is about our non profit organization. There are so many opportunities working here. The YMCA is like my second home and I wouldn't change it for anything. I enjoy meeting new people each day to help them have a healthier lifestyle.
Matt Richman, Sports Coordinator
I have been involved with the Y.M.C.A., since Chad and I were both under 100 pounds. The YMCA has always been my safe place. Through sports, I have the opportunity to minister the YMCA core values to all our particpants. It is an honor to be asked to be the Sports Coordinator. I want to give back what the YMCA has given me.
My family includes my wife Laura, my son Austan, and my daughters Ashlee and Kaitlyn.
Melinda Castrellon, Aquatics Coordinator
I have been coming to the YMCA for more than 10 years. My kids and myself have quickly become regulars in this YMCA facility. During Covid is when I truly started coming to the YMCA constantly. As I got to know the people and my kids began to feel at home here, I thought of this place as our second home. During that period, I decided I wanted to work here and became part of the YMCA Family. I have 3 sons who also love this place and all it offers. I started out working in Kidzone before transitioning to MSA (Front Desk Worker) as well. After that, I helped out at the Dome too. But I couldn't stop there. I soon became the new Aquatics coordinator. Onwards and upwards! The YMCA holds a very special place in my heart and I want to showcase that to the world. I'm ready to show other families how much the Garden City Family YMCA can be their home too!
Cippy Rodriguez, Healthy Intiatives Coordinator
Hi, my name is Cippy Rodriguez. I joined the YMCA on October 5, 2022 after walking to get some exercise in. I stopped into the YMCA to get a drink. Before leaving, I asked Chad if he needed any help? He said yes, and so did I. A couple days later, I was working as a building supervisor. Chad also knew I was an athlete in the past and asked me to take part in their tackle football sports as an official. I said yes again. That's how I started doing more here. Working for the YMCA these last two years has deeply broadened my knowledge not just in sports, but in fitness and health. When the YMCA needed a new fitness instructor, I stepped up. I said yes to being the new Healthy Initives Coordinator. I bring not only my knowledge in weight loss, but in rehabilitation skills. Due to my own health, I can relate to most of the members who come through our doors. This time I'm saying yes again to seeing what the future holds, as I progress in the fitness world.
Caleigh Knight, Community Engagement Coordinator
Not only did I grow up in Garden City Kansas, but I also grew up at the YMCA. I was only two years old when my father became the Executive Director here. From that moment on, the YMCA was a second home to me. I played whatever sport I could, went to every family fun night and YMCA sleepover, attended the Childcare program, as well as watch all the Corporate Cup challenges take place. I adored every minute of it. On top of that, I would help out whenever I was needed. There were many times I’d assist with setting up events and sometimes I had to show the new Directors what to do too. Sure enough, my first part-time job was working the front desk. After graduating with honors from GCHS, I enrolled at Bethany College. Four years later, I graduated summa cum laude with a double major and a minor. Immediately following, I resumed working at the YMCA. That summer we began the SFSP program. It required somebody to take over and run it. Soon enough, I was asked to, and I accepted. The rest is history.
