ISLAND HOME Oak Bluffs

My family came to the Island for a visit 31 years ago for a weekend hockey tournament in January. We liked it so much that we rented a house that summer with another family from the team. After many annual summer vacations we ended up purchasing our own home, with the intention of being on Island full-time. We've been blessed to be able to do that for the last 9 years and could not be happier. I love that there is a tight community on the island and that everyone is constantly looking out for one another.

Favorite Season

Summer! I love the warm weather and the ability to explore the Island by land and sea.

Happy Place

At home with my wife in front of the fireplace.

Favorite Music

70's & 80's rock 'n' roll

I Stay Fit and Healthy By...

I enjoy various types of exercise whether it's biking, swimming, and doing body bump at the Y.

FROM New Jersey

ISLAND HOME Vineyard Haven

Originally from New Jersey, Bob moved to the Vineyard year-round with his family when he was 15 years old. Bob has his Doctorate in Education and was a Health and Physical Education teacher at the Tisbury School for 20 years and served as principal of the West Tisbury School from 1993 until his retirement in 2001. In addition to his work with the YMCA, Bob currently serves as a trustee for Martha's Vineyard Bank, MVTV, Martha's Vineyard Veterans Advocate, and the Martha's Vineyard Diversity Coalition.

Why the Y?

I'm on the YMCA Board because the Y cares about the Island community and so do I. The programming and services offered by the Y have been a great benefit to the people on the Island.

Happy Place

With my wife and kids.

Island Spot

The ponds and ocean where I can fish, clam and crab.

Celebrity Persona

Martin Luther King

I Stay Fit and Healthy By...

Going to the Y!

FROM Cincinnati, OH

ISLAND HOME Oak Bluffs

An island resident since 2007, Jonathan is an attorney at Dubin & Reardon, where he specializes in real estate law. He graduated from Kenyon College and Vermont Law School.

Why the Y?

I learned how to swim at the Y, I made lifetime friends at the Y, and I love the healthy community the Y fosters.

Favorite Pass Time

Anything in the mountains, anything outside in the sun.

Island Spot

The Land Bank properties.

Happy Place

Swimming at State Beach or on my snowboard.

I Stay Fit and Healthy By...

Keeping it moving. Mornings at the Y and afternoon hikes or swims.

FROM Illinois

ISLAND HOME Vineyard Haven

Doug received his BA from Western State College of Colorado in 1979 with a major in Business and Minor in Economics. From 1980-2000 Doug had a career in the Cable television and the radio industry serving in finance, management, mergers and acquisitions. Doug is currently the President and Owner of D. Best Construction, Inc. a local residential and commercial construction and remodeling company since 2002. Through this company, Mark has contributed generously to the Y and many other island non-profits. At present Doug serves on the Finance Committee and Strategic Initiatives Committee at the Y and was involved in the development and launch of the Y, the Teen Center, and the Pavilion. He previously served on the Board as the Treasurer and Chairman of the Finance Committee from 2010 to 2017.

Why the Y

I became involved with the Y as a result of the recruitment efforts of Judy Crawford and Bill Skinner in 1998 before the Y existed, looking for someone with construction, finance and management experience to assist with the project.

I volunteer as a Board Member because it is one of the most effective ways to benefit the community as a whole. The positive well-being and experience that results for all. Greater positive results such as health, experiences, relationships and opportunities for all. The Y and it’s offerings have changed the health, attitude and make-up of the island for the better.

I donate to the Y because my contributions benefit the widest array of needs and island people with just a single organization. It has improved the lives of young and old, those in need, and those looking for athletic excellence. Most importantly, it has benefitted the family structure with family activities and services, and through better health, improved confidence and mental attitude for many, thus improving life overall for our community. No single private service, other than the hospital, brings about such a positive opportunity and change for so many.

Favorite Island Destination

The State Forest trails.

Favorite Pastime

Jogging.

FROM New Bedford, MA

ISLAND HOME Oak Bluffs, MA

Why the Y?

Community is important. I live to remind my kids that no matter what you become... it will always be rooted in where you started. The Y isn't just a place to "work out". It brings people together, which is essential to how people talk to solve problems. The Y has a mission to make MV a better place to live.

The Y is also limitless. It's one of those rare places that allows all age groups to gather, communicate and focus on issues that are cross-generational. The Y also can also serve as a leader in other community-wide efforts which affect all Islanders.

Favorite Pass Time

ALL New England Sports Teams!

Island Spot

Long Point.... for an extended day.

Favorite Y Activity

Morning Motivation with Margarita!

I Stay Fit and Healthy By...

Visiting the Y 3-4 times a week!

FROM Martha's Vineyard

ISLAND HOME Vineyard Haven

Born and raised on Martha's Vineyard, Nell studied government and played varsity soccer at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT. She completed a joint degree in law and public health (JD/MPH) at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and then moved to Boston to work as associate counsel for the Senate Ways & Means Committee at the Massachusetts State House. After moving back to the Vineyard full time, Nell worked as the Legislative Liaison for Representative Tim Madden and then as Director of Operations for Martha's Vineyard Community Services. Nell currently work as a teacher and restorative coordinator at MVRHS.

Happy Place

On the water with family.

FROM Brazil

ISLAND HOME Edgartown.

Chris Miller is the is the president and founder of Millers Professionals Company

Serving the community has been a passion for Chris's over the last few of years. He has been creating jobs for families that live on the island and helping local churches and schools with his time and knowledge, specifically in regards to construction and landscaping. Also committed to social causes, Chris Millers has helped some causes locally and overseas (Brazil and Africa).

Besides being a businessman and an entrepreneur, Chris is a very adventurous person who loves sports and working out.

Happy Place

Ski mountains.

Island Spot

South Beach.

Why the Y

Coming to the Y everyday to work out or meet friends, Chris feels at home at the Y. When you are at home you help, you organize, you create new things and memories. That’s how Chris feels about the Y.

ISLAND HOME Aquinnah

Elizabeth Reisner Pickman works as an advisor in education and youth development. After teaching in the Brookline (MA) schools following grad school, Liz served as an education analyst in the U.S. Department of Education and then founded Policy Studies Associates, Inc., a Washington DC firm that conducts research and evaluation in education and youth development. Drawing on her 32 years as a research manager at PSA, Liz now advises nonprofits in the areas of education and youth services, with a focus on the design of performance management systems and the measurement of program impact. Liz graduated from Smith College and Harvard Graduate School of Education. She and her husband Jim divide their time between Aquinnah and New York City, and have two grown sons.

ISLAND HOME West Tisbury

Grant Joiner is a Financial Advisor and Certified Financial Planner

What I Love About the Island: Is the connection with nature, focus on sustainability, and unparalleled sense of community. I feel incredibly fortunate to have grown up on the Island and even more grateful that my children will now get to do the same.

Growing up on the Island in the 90's and early 00's my two older brothers and I were active participants in all things sports and athletics. We always found a way to be out in the community in an active way but never felt like we had a central meeting point. To me, the Y has become that central meeting point for the Island and the members of the fitness community.

Island Spot

South Beach.

Favorite Y workout

Any spin class!

Happy Place

Lambert's cove with the whole family.

FROM Westport, CT

ISLAND HOME West Tisbury

Judy grew up in Westport, CT, as a Y kid, learning to swim, play sports, and work with other kids to impact her community. Her children also grew up in the Y doing much the same. Judy later became a member of the Board for the Westport Y, and upon moving to the Vineyard, became a founding member of the Y. Judy has been on the Board ever since and spent many years serving as the President. She has five grown children with her husband Tad and fifteen grandchildren.

Professional:

• Consultant for Strategic Planning, Martha’s Vineyard Public Schools
• Consultant for Community Relations, Martha’s Vineyard Commission
• Senior Consultant, Education Technology, National Education Association, Washington, DC
• President, Connecticut Educational Computer Association

• District Computer Coordinator, Darien Public Schools, Darien, CT

Community:

• Vice President, YMCA of Martha’s Vineyard
• President, Island Community Chorus, Martha’s Vineyard
• President, League of Women Voters, Martha’s Vineyard
• Chair, Conservation Commission, West Tisbury, MA

Why the Y?

“There is no way to hold down my enthusiasm for our Y. I love giving tours to first-time visitors and watching their faces as they take in our bright, sunny, open building; our beautiful pool looking out on the Southern Woodlands; the amazingly equipped wellness center with its cardiac equipment, strength-building machines, its extensive free weight area, and its always active group exercise room. Best of all, I love taking guests through Alex's Place, our incredible teen center. The Vineyard is so fortunate to have such a marvelous community center right in the heart of the Island. During my tenure on the Board, I want to bring in all those people who have not yet crossed our threshold. I want to open our doors to everyone!”

Happy Place

My "happy place" is anywhere outside in nature. My time at the Y gets me into the kind of shape to really enjoy that nature.

Island Spot

Any beach, where the wind blows through my hair, the sand squishes through my toes, the waves lap at the shore, and the sun shines down on me.

I Stay Fit and Healthy By...

Hiking, biking, group exercise, swimming, sailing, kayaking

Favorite Y Activity

Spinning.

FROM South Boston

ISLAND HOME West Tisbury

Joan started her adventure with the Y as the volunteer Board Treasurer back in 2004 when the YMCA was just a concept on paper. Her full-time job at that time was as President and CFO for an International Service organization. When the Y opened its doors in 2010, Joan chose to transition her work life to the island as well.

Why the Y?

It has been a great experience participating in the progress of the organization from just an idea of a small group of individuals to a community gathering place.

Happy Place

My perennial garden.

Island Spot

Kayaking off Lamberts Cove Beach.

I Stay Fit and Healthy By...

Running and kayaking.

Favorite Pastime

Gardening

FROM New York

ISLAND HOME Vineyard Haven

Jill is married to Silas Blake Axtell, she has 3 daughters, and 2 stepsons. Jill moved to Martha's Vineyard in 2009. She graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1986. Her YMCA career began in 1986 at the YMCA of Metropolitan Mobile in Mobile, Alabama. She continued her Y work at the YMCA of Greenwich, Greenwich CT., Wilton Family YMCA, Wilton CT., Old Town-Orono YMCA, Old Town Maine, and now the YMCA of Martha's Vineyard 2009- Present.

Why the Y?

"I decided to make the YMCA a career when I was hired as a Fitness Director at the YMCA of Metropolitan Mobile in 1986. I loved inspiring and encouraging others to grow, change and be better than they imagined they could be. I realized that the Y was a about both personal and community development. My favorite part about working for the Y is creating opportunities to enrich the lives of many different types of people. Every day is a new opportunity to touch the life of someone in a new way. I feel grateful to have the ability to offer people ways to be brave and courageous, to find the power within themselves and their community to have a fulfilling and healthy life.

The Y has had tremendous impact on those that have made the Y a part of their routine. Whether it is personal fitness or community service, the Y has offered Martha's Vineyard a community center that is a lifeline for many, physically, socially and emotionally.

I donate to the YMCA of Martha's Vineyard so that we can continue to offer financial assistance to those individuals and families that cannot afford the many services and facilities that are available. I often have people stop by my office to say, "I don't know what we would do here without the Y. Thank you for making it possible for me to be here." Personally, I could never give too much money to the Y. I hope someday I will have the ability to be much more generous. I have firsthand knowledge of the impact the YMCA of Martha's Vineyard has made on the island in the last 8 years."

Happy Place

The ocean beaches of Martha's Vineyard and Mexico.

Island Spot

Next to the YMCA, my favorite place is watching the full moon and stars on a clear night on South Beach.

I Stay Fit and Healthy By...

I take group exercise classes at the Y and walk my Great Dane, Harley.

Celebrity Persona

Michael Jackson.