Kurtis Dawson wasn’t looking for a career path when he was an 18-year-old starting a part-time job at the front desk of the YMCA in 1996. But he found exactly that by rising up through the employee ranks and eventually being named as CEO of the YMCA of Grays Harbor in 2008.

Now Dawson, his wife, Sasha, and their four daughters are relocating to Tucson, where Dawson will become CEO of the YMCA of Southern Arizona and assume authority over five locations and a camp. His last day at the local YMCA is Dec. 15. He starts his new position in January.

“Tucson is a beautiful community,” Dawson said. “Moving there is definitely a family decision — and we’re excited for an adventure.”

Dawson announced his decision about two weeks ago, said Zachary Edwards, president of the YMCA’s board of directors and a local attorney. The two men attended Aberdeen High School together and have been friends for years.

“I’m sad on many levels to see him go,” Edwards said. “He’s been such a great asset to us but I understand the opportunity in Tucson is a a good one.”

In the meantime, Wes Peterson, the local organization’s previous CEO as well as the retired Parks and Recreation director for the City of Aberdeen, will handle CEO tasks until the YMCA hires someone long-term to lead the organization.

“We’re not in a rush to find someone to replace Kurtis,” Edwards said. “Things are in good shape so we can take our time and find the right person.”

He said one of Dawson’s strongest abilities is connecting with the people of Grays Harbor and forming widely beneficial partnerships — an essential skill for leading the YMCA that ensures members and their families can benefit from an array of offerings. It allowed the organization to extend its reach to the beach communities and eastern part of the county, for example, Edwards said.

Dawson agreed it has been important for him to be able to form relationships — which also makes leaving his home and the region of the country where he has lived for his entire life. He’s also quick to point out that his success has been achieved through not only his own efforts, but those of many people involved with the Y over the years.

Whether it’s a 5-year-old afraid of water but ultimately conquering that fear because an employee was able to teach the child to swim or Dawson making a connection with a donor, building trust is paramount and the YMCA has had many people willing to reach out to others in the community, he said.

The support people receive to achieve their goals can result in them wanting to use their skills to help others do the same thing, which is essential to why the YMCA has thrived over the years, he said. “That’s what makes leaving so hard — the people.”