HARTFORD — The YMCA of Greater Hartford has ratified the selection of Harold Sparrow to be its 5th President and CEO. Sparrow comes to Connecticut from the YMCA of Greater Boston, where he most recently served as Senior Vice President of Operations and previously as Senior Vice President of Development.

During  Sparrow’s leadership, the Greater Boston Y increased the number of members served by 100 percent over a three-year period. Sparrow is credited with creating the YMCA of Greater Boston’s Urban Agenda which engaged 150 civic, corporate, foundations, community and institutional leaders in a strategic planning initiative to more effectively serve Boston’s youth.

During his tenure as Senior Vice President of Development (2007-2010) Sparrow was successful in securing funding from federal, municipal, corporate, and private philanthropy and consistently exceeded goals for the Y’s capital and annual campaign.

Sparrow holds a Master Degree in Education from Cambridge College and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Tufts University. He is married to his wife Rita Williams Sparrow and they have three children Lexie, Sami and Simone.