Samuel A. Edgar

Portrait photograph of Samuel A. Edgar.Samuel Edgar began his YMCA career as the physical director and adult program secretary at the Winona (Minn.) YMCA in 1954. Just two years later, he was promoted to general secretary. He served on the North Central Area field staff in the early 1960s, and was appointed general secretary in Des Moines (Iowa) in 1966. For 14 years, beginning in 1974, he was president and chief executive officer of the YMCA of Greater St. Louis (Mo.). Under his leadership, the association experienced major growth, increasing its budget from $2 million to $18 million. Six new branches were developed as a result of $33 million of capital development. Edgar chaired the North American Urban Group of YMCAs and the YMCA Employees Alliance. He served on a number of national and international YMCA boards and committees. He also served on the YMCA National Executive Director Search Committee and the YMCA Hall of Fame Selection Committee