Jeff Unger – River Crossing YMCA

Jeff Unger did not expect his facilities career to unfold across shifting organizational landscapes, growing regional footprints, and buildings that range from modern expansions to structures more than a century old. Yet that is the scope of his work today as senior director of facilities for River Crossing YMCA, the association created from a series of mergers that unified branches and childcare centers across Pennsylvania and New Jersey. River Crossing YMCA serves tens of thousands of members across multiple counties, and its mission reflects the core purpose that has defined the YMCA for generations: strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The facilities that Unger oversees are the physical platforms for that mission.

The groundwork was laid years earlier through several consolidations. Central Bucks Family YMCA and Lower Bucks Family YMCA merged in 2018 to form YMCA of Bucks County. Upper Bucks YMCA joined the following year. These branches generated more than 20 million dollars in annual revenue, supported roughly 2,000 employees, and served over 60,000 members and participants. In 2022, the YMCA of Bucks County and the Hunterdon County YMCA formed a single organization. Following a successful management agreement, Greater Valley YMCA merged with the association in July 2024, forming the current River Crossing YMCA. This expanded system now includes branches in Fairless Hills, Doylestown, Newtown, Quakertown, Warminster, Nazareth, Allentown, and others, along with multiple childcare centers and two outdoor camps.

Unger’s path into this environment began at the Allentown YMCA, where he worked through the organizational changes that followed. He served more than five years in the United States Army as a cavalry scout and later earned his undergraduate degree from Muhlenberg College. That military experience shaped his instincts for planning, risk management, and adaptability. As he puts it, “I have plan A through Z in place, and I can’t just give up.” The discipline he developed there guides him still, especially in a role where every day brings new operational demands.

Unger stepped into his current position in July 2024. He now oversees five branches and two childcare centers in the Lehigh Valley region, supported by three full-time facility directors and two maintenance technicians at his primary site. His work ranges from long-term capital planning to problem-solving that cannot wait until morning.

“My phone is on 24/7, and the alarm companies and staff have my number,” Unger says.

The job requires trust and teamwork, and he credits his current staff’s strength with allowing him to unplug when needed.

The work behind the walls

Facilities management at the YMCA requires a broad skill set. Unger describes the role as a blend of handyman knowledge and professional contracting expertise, with an expectation that one person can troubleshoot mechanical systems, coordinate vendors, and guide capital projects. Very few positions call for that combination of versatility and leadership. He explains that “it takes a special kind of person to be the right fit,” in part because recognition is rare due to the lack of awareness of what it takes to keep things running smoothly for operations. Facilities teams work behind the scenes, stepping forward only when equipment fails or emergencies arise.

Unger believes the only way to lead effectively is by example.

“I don’t ask my staff to do things I won’t do myself,” he says.

And he means it.

If bathrooms need cleaning, he helps clean them. If a piece of equipment needs to be moved, he joins the effort. His approach reinforces a culture of shared responsibility. It also creates an environment where newer staff can learn from more experienced colleagues, something he sees as increasingly urgent. Knowledge loss is a growing challenge across the facilities field, especially when long-tenured employees retire without successors prepared to absorb decades of experience.

As Unger explains, “you need people willing to share, and you need people to share it with.”

Navigating complexity & unexpected events

The past year underscored the unpredictability of the job. A fire at the Allentown branch in 2023 required Unger and his team to quickly develop emergency plans, coordinate contractors, and reopen limited services within weeks. The goal was continuity for the community. Members rely on the YMCA for far more than fitness. They depend on it for childcare, social connection, and daily stability. Unger handled the situation the way he approaches every challenge.

“Expect the unexpected, cliché, but you need to figure out how to move forward,” he says.

Long before the fire, he had learned that no decision satisfies every stakeholder. Earlier in his career, he tried to accommodate everyone. Experience changed his approach.

“You’re not going to make everyone happy,” Unger notes.

Leading facilities across a large association requires managing personalities, aligning expectations, and communicating clearly. Some staff members need close oversight. Others prefer independence. Unger adapts his style accordingly. He says, “I’ve learned as much from the bad leaders as the good leaders,” reflecting the steady refinement of his own leadership philosophy.

Building a stronger Nazareth branch

The most significant project on Unger’s plate is a $9 million renovation of the Nazareth branch, a building dating back to 1918. Planning for the project began four to five years ago and was accelerated by a large donation that helped launch the fundraising effort. Government support also contributed to the total funding package. Construction begins in April, and the branch will remain open throughout the project, which is expected to take approximately 18 months.

Keeping a historic building operational during active construction is no simple task. Unger expects to spend extensive time on-site coordinating contractors, managing logistics, and ensuring daily operations continue safely. The renovation includes building upgrades, expanded services, and improved spaces for members and staff. It also aims for significant community engagement, with River Crossing YMCA seeking about 80 percent community involvement throughout the project.

This level of collaboration requires detailed planning with architects, engineers, and marketing teams, along with ongoing communication with members who will navigate an active construction zone. Unger looks forward to the celebration that will follow.

“You reflect on all the work that went into a project, see and honor the people who helped that project happen,” he says.

Yet the moment passes quickly. As he notes, the work does not slow down. Another project always follows.

Supporting a mission that depends on strong facilities

River Crossing YMCA’s mission depends on the spaces Unger and his team maintain each day. The facilities support youth programs, senior wellness, childcare centers, aquatic instruction, and community gatherings. They are hubs for connection and stability in regions that rely on the YMCA as a multifaceted community resource.

Unger understands that the pace is demanding, the recognition limited, and the responsibilities wide-ranging. Yet the impact is clear. Each decision he makes affects how members experience the YMCA and how staff deliver its programs. His work is both operational and mission-driven, grounded in the belief that strong facilities enable strong communities.

As River Crossing YMCA continues to grow, the organization will rely on leaders like Unger who bring discipline, adaptability, and a commitment to service. His journey from the Allentown branch through years of organizational change has shaped a leadership approach centered on communication, resilience, and hands-on support. The buildings will continue to evolve, and the community’s needs will continue to shift, but the purpose of Unger’s work remains constant.