Garden City Family YMCA hires new Director and Coordinator

(Courtesy of the YMCA of Southwest Kansas)

GARDEN CITY, Kan. — The YMCA of Southwest Kansas recently hired two new team members to assist the Healthy Living and Aquatics Departments. Manuel Guzman is taking on the role of Healthy Initiatives and Nutrition Director and Liz Foster is serving as Aquatics Coordinator. Both roles provide support to Healthy Living and Dome Director Stacy Castoe.

Guzman is originally from San Jose, Calif., but has resided in Garden City since 1999. After graduating from Garden City High School, he attended Garden City Community College for three years before moving on to Kansas State University where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science. While attending KSU, he served as head track manager for the Kansas State Track and Field team. During this time, he worked under an Olympic coach and learned numerous exercises. After graduating from KSU in 2016, he returned to Garden City where he worked at Accelacare as a Physical Therapy Technician before taking on his new role at the YMCA.

Liz Foster is a Holcomb native who joined the YMCA team as a lifeguard five years ago. She recently received her Lifeguard Instructor Certification and is excited to serve as the new Aquatics Director. In her spare time Liz enjoys spending time with family, traveling, collecting stamps from each U.S. State, and cheering on the Florida Gators.

“Manuel brings energy to the Healthy Living Department,” YMCA of Southwest Kansas CEO Chad Knight said. “He is focusing on personal training, nutrition and promoting memberships through corporate presentations and worksite wellness programs. I am very excited for Manuel and the direction of that department. Liz was promoted from within and will work closely with Stacy to monitor and manage the Aquatics Department. She is very dependable and is working hard to learn everything.”

For more information, contact Knight at cknight@ymcaswkansas.org or 620-275-1199.

Living Our Cause

The YMCA of Southwest Kansas is a Christian-based, non-profit association with locations in Dodge City and Garden City. It focuses on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility by offering affordable programs in aquatics, fitness, sports, childcare and family activities. The YMCA’s mission is “To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.” To learn more or to donate to their cause, visit www.ymcaswkansas.org.