Branch Director
George Sorenson

George Sorensen, Branch Director, East YMCA

George was raised in Neptune Beach, Florida and earned a degree from the University of North Florida. Prior to joining the Greater Wichita Area YMCA, George completed construction of, opened and managed Wichita’s Opti-Life Vitality Club & Spa. Before moving to Wichita, he ran employee wellness initiatives at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel and Advent Health. He has 19 total years of YMCA experience in several roles including the recent opening of the Steve Clark YMCA on the campus at Wichita State University in January 2020. He has also been an Executive Director for the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA in the underserved North Brandon community of Seffner, Florida and a Branch Director within the Florida’s First Coast YMCA in Jacksonville, Florida. George has also worked in sports information and media relations for Jacksonville University. He is married to Ashley, and they have two children Alexis and Blake.  

Staff
Jami Pratt

Jami Pratt, Senior Program Director

Jami began her YMCA career in 2002 as a Membership Associate at the North YMCA. She spent four out of the six years there as the Manager on Duty. In October of 2008, she became the Membership Director at the South YMCA. In May of 2014, Jami brought her experience to the East YMCA as the Membership Director and in October 2022 took over the role as Senior Program Director.

Brian Hoose

Brian Hoose, Membership Director

Brian began his YMCA career in 2015 as a membership service associate at the East YMCA and has been with East ever since. In late 2016 he became the Manager on Duty and held that role until becoming our opener in 2021.       In November of 2022, Brian brought his experience to the East YMCA as the Membership Director.  

Dalton Eador, Greater Wichita YMCA

Dalton Eador, Youth Sports Director

Dalton began his career with the YMCA in 2021 as the Swim, Sports, Play Coordinator at the Osage Prairie YMCA in Nevada, MO. In 2022, he began working as the Sports Coordinator at the Northwest YMCA here in Wichita, a role he held for a little over a year before accepting the position of Sports Director here at the East YMCA. Dalton has a Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Sports Management from the University of Arkansas. Dalton is married to his wife Kaitlyn.

Caroline Jones, Greater Wichita YMCA

CAROLINE JONES, Aquatics Director

Caroline received an Associates of Science degree in Biology and Pre-Nursing from Northwest Vista College. She began her career with the YMCA as a lifeguard in April of 2018 at the Belle Chasse YMCA in New Orleans, Louisiana. She then transitioned to the Mays Family YMCA in San Antonio, Texas, where she worked for 3 years, before coming to the East Branch. During her career with the YMCA, Caroline has been a lifeguard, swim instructor, and a swim coach before taking on the role of Aquatics Coordinator.

Rhonda Ormsby, Administrative Assistant

Rhonda Ormsby, Administrative Assistant

Rhonda has worked for the East YMCA since 1991. She began her career in membership.  Currently she helps with the Annual Strong Community Campaign and special events.  She also helps with the day to day functions at the branch including accounts payable, assisting at the membership desk, volunteer coordination, senior events and more.

Alyssa Cameron, Fitness Director

Alyssa Cameron, Fitness Director

Degree
Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science
Certifications
ISSA Yoga Certified, ACE Personal Trainer

Alyssa received a Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science with a minor in French from Wichita State University. She started her career with the YMCA as a competitive gymnastics coach at the Northwest YMCA. She then transitioned to the East Y branch, where she started off as a gymnastics instructor, but also took on several other roles. During her first two years with the East Y, she was a Kid Zone attendant, a fitness floor associate, a personal trainer and a group exercise instructor, before taking on the role of Group Exercise Coordinator in 2021. As of 2024, Alyssa is now the Fitness Director for the East YMCA.

Ashley Ibarra

Ashley Ibarra, Youth and Family Coordinator

Ashley began her YMCA career in 2018 as a Kid Zone attendant at the Downtown Y. She has since then worked at the North, Andover, and East YMCA’s Kid Zones, Mom’s Day Out, Parent's Night Out, STARs and Fun Fit programs. Ashley was the morning Kid Zone shift lead and Mom’s Day Out instructor at the East Y before taking on her current role as the Youth and Family Coordinator.

Ty White

Ty White, Maintenance Director

Lynea Quarles, Greater Wichita YMCA

Lynea Quarles, Gymnastics Coordinator

Lynea began her YMCA career in 2021 as a gymnastics instructor at the NW YMCA. She moved to the East YMCA in 2024 to become the Gymnastics Coordinator. She has been involved with gymnastics for many years. She competed as a kid from the ages 5-11 with Oklahoma Gymnastics Academy, River City Gymnastics, and Wichita Gymnastics. She also completed in the women’s division for the NW Saltos. We are excited to have her on our team!

Julie Mitchell, Greater Wichita YMCA

Julie Mitchell, Group Exercise Coordinator

Julie began her YMCA career in 2018 as a group exercise instructor at the Andover YMCA. She moved to the East YMCA in 2022 and continued to teach group exercise classes at both the East and North locations. She has been a group exercise instructor for a little over 5 years before accepting the position as Group Exercise Coordinator in May 2024.

Personal Trainers
Tanner Smith

Tanner Smith, Personal Trainer

Degree
B.S. in Exercise Science
Certifications
ACSM Health Fitness Specialist, YMCA Personal Trainer
Specialty
Sport Performance Training, Special Needs Populations, All Ages
Rosa Weaver

Rosa Weaver, Personal Trainer

Certifications
ACE Personal Trainer
Specialty
Small Group Training, Beginners Fitness, and Female Weight Training

Rosa started at the YMCA's Kid Zone in Northwest Florida, cultivated a love of fitness by participating in group exercise classes, and attained a certification as a group exercise instructor then personal trainer 15 years ago. Rosa has experience working with a variety of clients focusing on strength training She is a military spouse and her relocation to Wichita brought her to the Greater Wichita YMCA 10 years ago.

Heidi Heuer

Heidi Heuer, Personal Trainer

Certifications
ACE Personal Trainer
Specialty
Group Exercise, Small Group Training, and Injury Recovery

Heidi has been working in fitness for 19 years and is one who is continually learning and growing. She is passionate about helping women achieve their fitness goals and believes that everyone should be active regardless of their age.  

Over the years, she’s trained clients ranging from 10 to 80 years old. As a diabetic for over 45 years who has kept it in check with exercise and proper diet, she encourages her clients to be disciplined. Seeing her clients gain confidence as they grow physically and mentally gives her great joy.

Heidi will design a workout tailor-made for you to help you achieve your personal goals.  As a team the two of you can begin today to make positive changes in your lifestyle.

She is going on 25 years of marriage and has two adult sons. Her favorite day of the week is Sunday because she spends time at church, and after church her guys come for lunch.  She also enjoys GF baking, time with her friends, long walks, hiking and traveling. 

Alyssa Cameron, Fitness Director

Alyssa Cameron, Fitness Director

Degree
Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science
Certifications
ISSA Yoga Certified, ACE Personal Trainer

Alyssa received a Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science with a minor in French from Wichita State University. She started her career with the YMCA as a competitive gymnastics coach at the Northwest YMCA. She then transitioned to the East Y branch, where she started off as a gymnastics instructor, but also took on several other roles. During her first two years with the East Y, she was a Kid Zone attendant, a fitness floor associate, a personal trainer and a group exercise instructor, before taking on the role of Group Exercise Coordinator in 2021. As of 2024, Alyssa is now the Fitness Director for the East YMCA.

Rhonda Rickert

Rhonda Rickert, Personal Trainer

Certifications
Y-USA

Working in the health  and wellness field for several years as a respiratory therapist both in the hospital and home care, Rhonda has always had the passion to help people. Nutrition and fitness have always been an important part of her life. Her passion for fitness excelled even more after having three children and wanting to get her body back in shape.

Rhonda has been involved in personal training for 18 years now at the YMCA. During this time, she also competed in a fitness show - the Natural Classic in Overland Park, Kansas where she took 3rd place.

She is very passionate about helping others feel comfortable, both in and out of the gym and to just feel good about themselves overall. She believes that when you feel good, you excel in life!

Blake Arndt, YMCA Personal Trainer

Blake Arndt, Personal Trainer

Blake is a former college soccer player who specializes in Sports Performance Training, beginner fitness, weightlifting and small group training. He is excited to be on the East YMCA team and is looking forward to helping members reach their goal.