The YMCA of the Chesapeake (YOC) is pleased to welcome James P. “Jim” Harris and Andy Cheezum as new members of its Corporate Board of Directors. Both Harris and Cheezum have been engaged with the YMCA for many years and bring a shared commitment to service, leadership, and community impact across the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia, as well as St. Mary’s County, Maryland.
Founded in 1857, the YMCA of the Chesapeake is governed by dedicated volunteers who guide its mission and ensure its continued service to communities throughout the region.
“Jim and Andy have each led lives that clearly reflect the values of the YMCA,” said Robbie Gill, CEO of the YMCA of the Chesapeake. “Their integrity and deep commitment to community will serve the Y well. We are truly grateful they have agreed to serve on our Corporate Board, and we are confident their leadership, perspective, and long-standing connection to the Y will greatly benefit the communities we serve.”
Jim Harris brings decades of global leadership and nonprofit experience to the board. He retired from ExxonMobil after a 38-year career, most recently serving as Senior Vice President of the ExxonMobil Chemical Company, with senior leadership roles in both the United States and Europe. Jim has held long-standing board and officer positions with the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and the Academy of Art Museum in Easton, and has served on numerous nonprofit and industry boards nationally and internationally. A Georgia Tech Engineering Hall of Fame inductee, Jim and his wife, Pam, are active philanthropists with a strong commitment to education and health, and are long-time supporters and members of the Perkins Family YMCA.
Andy Cheezum brings more than 35 years of leadership experience in commercial, municipal, and institutional construction, with expertise spanning competitive bid, design-build, and construction manager delivery models. An Eastern Shore native, Andy has spent over two decades as a business owner and executive, with additional experience in real estate acquisition and residential property management. He is a graduate of Easton High School, Chesapeake College, and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, where he earned his bachelor’s degree cum laude in Construction Management Technology. A Certified Healthcare Constructor, Andy has held extensive leadership roles with the Associated Builders & Contractors and has served on numerous regional boards focused on education, workforce development, banking, environmental stewardship, faith-based organizations, and youth programs.
The YMCA of the Chesapeake is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits and one of the largest human service organizations on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Virginia, and Southern Maryland. The Y strengthens communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, serving more than 50,000 members and their families each year, regardless of age, income, or background. The YMCA of the Chesapeake operates facilities in Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Talbot, Queen Anne’s, Wicomico, and Worcester counties in Maryland, as well as on Chincoteague Island in Virginia, and is working with local volunteers to bring a new YMCA to Lexington Park in St. Mary’s County in the near future.
In 2026, the YMCA of the Chesapeake will provide more than $1.8 million in financial assistance to over 16,000 community members, ensuring no one is turned away due to inability to pay. In addition, the Y will invest $1.1 million in youth outreach and health intervention programs. These free programs support youth development across the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Virginia, and Southern Maryland, while the Y’s health intervention initiatives provide tools, resources, and support to individuals managing conditions ranging from Parkinson’s disease to dementia.
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