Greater Lynn YMCA names new president

PEABODY – During a brief ceremony Wednesday, Lynn pharmacy owner Ted Ball accepted the reins as president of the Greater Lynn YMCA.State Rep. Robert Fennell, a Lynn restaurateur and member of the Lynn delegation, had been YMCA president for the past four years.”Bob Fennell did a great job leading the organization,” said Bruce Macdonald, executive director of the Greater Lynn YMCA, which includes Lynn, Saugus and Peabody. “Now Ted will step in to this important, volunteer position.”Ball, a Lynn native and Swampscott resident, owns Crown Drug on Lewis Street in Lynn.According to Macdonald, the president serves as chairman of the Greater Lynn YMCA Board of Directors, presides at monthly meetings, makes key policy decisions, hires the chief executive officer, manages the assets of the association, and generally sets the direction for the organization.””These are all community volunteers. We actually had three presidents at the event,” said Macdonald, noting that Gil Macdonald, no relation, who served as president prior to Fennell’s term, was present at the transfer ceremony.The changes become effective immediately. Beth Clancy, wife of Lynn Mayor Edward Clancy Jr., became the newest member nominated to the 33-member Board of Directors.”Beth is a runner and a longtime member of the YMCA,” Macdonald said.