In his 27 years of working with the YMCA, Bob Jacobs has learned its importance to the communities around it. "I enjoy the impact the YMCA makes on people," says Jacobs, "It's a place whole families can come."

With today's economical situation, Jacobs stresses how important the YMCA is at these times. Many people's fiscal health can't be helped but their physical health is something that can be changed. "It is very important to keep your physical fitness," says Jacobs, "and we can help make a difference in this."

Jacobs has worked with YMCA's all across the country and is now in his 12th year as President and CEO of YMCA Baton Rouge. What makes the YMCA Baton Rouge stand out to Jacobs is the people that choose to be there. "The community and volunteers are what make us special."

In 1997 the YMCA started a campaign for growth and expansion. Since then five facilities have been opened bringing the total number available to the community to eight. The number of people served has increased from 30,000 to 120,000 and revenue has grown from 3 to 14 million. "We've been busy," says Jacobs.

Plans for the future include opening two new locations in Zachary and Howell Place. "Over the next couple of years we hope to make that a reality," says Jacobs.

Jacobs was born in Orlando to a father in the US Military and has lived as close as Arkansas and as far away as Maine. Jacobs graduated from the Citadel. Before working with the YMCA he taught and coached High School sports. He currently resides in Baton Rouge with his wife Debbie and their two cats Felix and GiGi.