Max Yurenda, CEO and executive director
of the Double H Ranch in Lake Luzerne, was
selected as the 2014 recipient of the Nonprofit
Executive Leadership Award from the Tech
Valley Nonprofit Business Council (TVNBC).
The Nonprofit Executive Leadership award
honors a nonprofit executive who exemplifies
the knowledge, skills and leadership necessary
for effective nonprofit management and
takes an active leadership role in creating or
supporting the development of Tech Valley.
Yurenda will be honored at the Tech Valley
Nonprofit Awards luncheon on Friday, Nov.
21, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Albany
Marriott Hotel.
The mission of the Double H Ranch
is to provide specialized programs in its
Adirondack camp setting and offers year round
support for children and their families
dealing with life-threatening illnesses. All
programs are free of charge.
Yurenda has been CEO at the Double H
Ranch since its inception in January 1993. He
is responsible for daily operations, ensuring
financial stability, managing and directing
staff, implementing strategic initiatives and
is responsible for board development and
regulatory compliance with local, county and
state authorities.
During his tenure, Yurenda has been responsible
for improving the infrastructure at
the camp, improving the retention of staff,
volunteers, and medical personnel, strengthening
community involvement at the ranch,
leading the effort to create a more comprehensive
and diversified fundraising program,
establishing strong partnerships with local
hospitals and volunteer health organizations,
and setting the stage for the ranch to build
its capacity and strengthen its position for
the long term.
Yurenda has also played a key role in providing
technical assistance for the global family
of Paul Newman camps. Prior to joining the
Double “H” Ranch, he served as a treatment
team leader at the Wilton Developmental
Center/Office of Mental Retardation and
Developmental Disabilities Services Office
from 1981.
He previously was employed at the Buffalo
Psychiatric Center in Buffalo and at the
Virginia Recreational Services Section in
Richmond, Va. He received his Bachelor of
Science in Education degree from the SUNY
Cortland.
The Tech Valley Nonprofit Business Council
– a joint initiative supported by the Albany-
Colonie Regional Chamber and the Chamber
of Schenectady County – collaborates with
the business community to engage the public
in advancing nonprofit missions and increase
public appreciation for the role nonprofits
have in the development of Tech Valley. The
goal of the TVNBC is to raise awareness of the
contributions being made by nonprofits to the
region, and provide networking and program
opportunities for both nonprofit and for-profit
on topical areas of interest to both.
For more information on the Double H
Ranch visit www.doublehranch.org or call
518-696-5676.
Tickets to attend the event are $49 per
person and may be purchased on the Albany-
Colonie Regional Chamber’s website at acchamber.org.
Photo Courtesy Double H Ranch