ROME — The YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley recently recognized long-time board member Karim Madmoune, of Rome, with its Red Triangle Award.

To recognize Madmoune’s service, dedication and commitment to the YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley, CEO Hank Leo presented him with the YMCA’s highly esteemed symbol. Madmoune grew up with the YMCA and today is instrumental in helping the organization grow, Leo said.

“This award is reserved for an individual who has selflessly given of his time and expertise to the YMCA,” said Leo. “His story helps us truly understand Karim’s commitment to the YMCA.”

Madmoune tells of coming to the Rome YMCA as a child, attending the school-aged programs and summer camps, participating in athletic programs and using the fitness center as he grew.

“The Y taught me how to be a kid,” Madmoune said. “By participating in the many youth programs, I learned acceptance, accountability and perseverance. I learned to play and get along with everyone and adapt to new situations, people and surroundings.”

“These lessons would play an important part in my professional life and my role on the Y’s Board of Directors,” he explained.

Madmoune, a first vice-president with Wells Fargo Advisors-Private Client Group, is a financial advisor and manager of their New Hartford branch. He has served on the YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley’s Board of Directors since 2016. He was vice-president from 2018-19 and accepted the term of board president from January 2020-21. Madmoune is also a member of the City of Rome Planning Board.

“The organization ended 2019 with the best year on record,” Madmoune recalled about the Y. “Membership was growing, and we were well into a campaign to build a new facility in Rome.”

Then, just more than two months into his new role as president of the board, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the YMCA to close and Madmoune was to lead the organization through its most fiscally challenging time.

“With facilities forced to close, membership cancellations, people staying home plus the overwhelming uncertainty, we were forced to make tough business decisions,” Madmoune recalled. “We had to shift into crisis management.”

“Child care and school-aged programs, that were so much a part of my formative years, were gone during that time,” he noted. “It was sad to know what the children (and everyone else that loves the social interaction of the YMCA) were missing.”

With Madmoune’s leadership, the organization made it through that unprecedented time and are in a period of financial growth. “It is important that we didn’t abandon our hopes and dreams because of the pandemic,” Madmoune said. “We are very excited about welcoming new and past members back to YMCA.”

Madmoune, a native Roman, attended Rome schools and earned his degree in Risk Management in 2010 from Utica College (now Utica University). He and his wife, Allison, are the parents of a one-year-old daughter.