Joseph Manzoli, chief operating officer of the YMCA of Greater Nashua, will take over as CEO on Sept. 1. Courtesy photo/YMCA of Greater Nashua

NASHUA — Following a stellar career spanning more than three decades, Michael LaChance, CEO of the YMCA of Greater Nashua, is retiring.

His last day will be Aug. 31.

LaChance’s work with the YMCA began in 1993 when he signed on as a summer camp counselor in Hartford, Conn. From there, he spent another seven years with the Merrimack Valley YMCA in Lawrence, Mass. In 2003, LaChance was chosen to lead the YMCA of Greater Nashua.

During his time at the helm, LaChance opened the Nashua and Westwood Park branches, the latter was host to then-President Joe Biden in May 2024. He has also grown Camp Sargent and the early childhood education program at the Merrimack YMCA, the largest YMCA childcare site in the country. During the COVID-19 pandemic, LaChance expanded access to emergency childcare and developed more than 150 partnerships with other local and regional nonprofit organizations.

The YMCA of Greater Nashua now serves more than 40,000 individuals in southern New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts.

Michael LaChance, CEO of the YMCA of Greater Nashua, will be retiring on Aug. 1. Courtesy photo/YMCA of Greater Nashua

“It has been the honor of my life to serve this YMCA and this community,” said LaChance. “What began as a summer job became a life mission. I’m deeply proud of what we’ve built, strong programs, welcoming facilities, and above all, a community rooted in respect, belonging and opportunity.”

In 2012, LaChance was named Business Person of the Year by the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce. Two years later, he was chosen as Business Leader of the Year by the Merrimack Chamber of Commerce. He also received the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Governor’s Council on Physical Activity and Health in 2018 and the Community Advocacy Award from the Eastern Bank Foundation in 2024.

“Mike LaChance’s decades of devoted leadership have shaped the YMCA of Greater Nashua into the thriving, community-centered organization it is today,” said Chief Volunteer Officer Jack Olson. “His legacy is reflected in the countless lives touched, the programs strengthened, and the deep sense of belonging he helped foster across our communities. Under his guidance, we have grown in strength, deepened our commitment to families, and solidified our mission of service and impact.”

The Board of Directors voted unanimously to select Chief Operating Officer Joseph Manzoli as the next CEO. He will take over for LaChance on Sept. 1.

Manzoli spent more than 10 summers at a YMCA camp and became the program director for the Cheshire County YMCA in 1999. From there, he went on to become an associate executive director and later an executive director with the YMCA of Greater Boston.

In 2008, Manzoli took the reins as an executive director with the YMCA of Greater Nashua. He has held his current COO position since 2009.