20 Questions with G. Scott Goyer

President & CEO, YMCA of the Suncoast

Scott Goyer, a graduate of Springfield College, in Massachusetts, joined the YMCA after leaving school, following in his father’s footsteps. He has dedicated the past 44 years to strengthening the community through the YMCA. He has served the YMCA in five communities: Cincinnati, San Francisco, Nashville, Tennessee; St. Paul, Minnesota; and now Clearwater. 

The YMCA of the Suncoast serves more than 100,000 people through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, with 50% under age 18, across a four-county area. The organization employs more than 1,000 full- and part-time staff members. One of 760 YMCAs in the nation, the YMCA of the Suncoast is the 63rd largest in the country.

Goyer serves on several YMCA of the USA task forces as well as the board of directors for the State Alliance of Florida YMCAs. He previously served as an elder at Lakeview Community Church and on various community boards, including serving as the former chair of Amplify Clearwater.

. College alma mater? Springfield College, Springfield, Massachusetts.

2. Favorite TV show of all time? MASH. 

3. Preferred place for a business meeting? Outdoor patio – anywhere.

4. Most used phone app? Messaging.

5. What time do you wake up on workdays? 5 a.m.

6. What’s a life hack you swear by? Acupuncture, every six weeks.

7. First album/cassette tape/CD you remember buying? Led Zeppelin IV.

8. Favorite local restaurant? CoCo Wood Grill.

9. Last book you read? The Bible.

10. Biggest business failure? Losing the support of a major donor.

11. What was your first cell phone? Motorola Mobile car phone.

12 Something you cook really well? Rack of lamb.

13. Most famous person you’ve ever met? Jesse Owens (an American track and field athlete, best known for his achievements in the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, Germany. He passed away in 1980).  

14. What is the last thing that made you laugh really hard? Not what, but who – my grandson, Everett.

15. What is a movie you will NEVER watch again? The Big Lebowski.

16. Best place you traveled for fun? Gypsum, Colorado.

17. What was your first car?. 1967 Ford Galaxy convertible.

18. Charity you support? YMCA.

19. What is something silly you got in trouble for as a child? Jumping off the roof of our house.

20. Best advice ever received? Don’t let perfection get in the way of action.

Editor’s note: Goyer retired in November after a 44-year YMCA career.

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