New members join YMCA board

WELCOME ABOARD- Three new faces are on the Southeast Ventura County YMCA board of directors. From left are Andrew Wright, Risa Littman and Jim Carper. The YMCA has facilities in Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park and Simi Valley that offer a variety of programs and camps for preschoolers, children, teens and adults. The Southeast Ventura County YMCA has added three new members to its board of directors: Andrew Wright, Jim Carper and Risa Littman. Members serve three-year terms.

Wright is vice president and senior private banker with Wells Fargo Bank in Westlake Village. He grew up on the East Coast where his family was active in the Y.

"The YMCA is a great place for families to bond," said Wright. "I wanted to get involved in the community and joining the Y board was on top of my list."

Carper has served in almost every capacity at the Simi Valley Family YMCA, from cardio kick boxing instructor to interim executive director

"The YMCA is a tremendous community organization," said Carper. "It reaches out to everyone, regardless of who they are. As a board member, I'd like to raise the awareness of the YMCA and for people to recognize its diversity."

Littman is associate vice president for corporate giving at Countrywide in Westlake Village where she manages grants, matching gifts and employee volunteer programs. With her experience on the corporate giving side, Littman feels she brings a unique viewpoint to the board regarding grant seeking.

"The YMCA is the cornerstone that provides resources and services to community members," said Littman. "I grew up in Agoura Hills. I would definitely like to see the Triunfo YMCA have its own physical facility."

The Southeast Ventura County YMCA includes three YMCA facilities: Conejo Valley YMCA, Simi Valley Family YMCA and the Miller Family YMCA in Newbury Park, as well as one community-based branch, Triunfo YMCA; two preschool childcare centers; 18 before- and after-school child-care sites and several summer camp programs.