Harley Franks

Personal Trainer

Harley attended Westchester University in Pennsylvania, where he studied health sciences and criminal justice, graduating with a B.S. in criminal justice. He then began his nearly 25-year law enforcement career with the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), ending with the Newcastle County Police Department (NCCPD) in Newcastle County, Delaware. Harley has competed in amateur bodybuilding, obtained a black belt in Taekwondo, and became a certified teacher/instructor. Upon retiring from the police department, Harley earned his NASM personal training certificate. His two sons are actively involved in athletics at the Aspatuck Valley Football Rugby Club, where Harley has been an assistant coach for the boys’ U14 team.

Kerry Swift

Personal Trainer

Kerry Swift is personal training certified through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and is also an ACSM certified Cancer Exercise Trainer. She is certified to teach group exercise through AFAA and holds several specialty certifications such as Body Pump, and Pilates. She enjoys working with people of all ages and abilities.

Kathy Kohler

Personal Trainer

Kathy studied business management at The London School of Economics and earned a BA from Iona University in New York. She has had a 30-year career in financial services and began that career as a metals trader specializing in arbitrage for a London-based firm where she was named one of the Top 10 Female Copper Traders in the world. Later, Kathy moved into institutional investment management and consulting roles with some of the world’s leading companies, including Lazard, Bank of America, American Express, Goldman Sachs, and a host of others. Kathy now heads Crescendo—a brand and reputation management firm—which she founded. An athlete throughout her life, Kathy has always been passionate about wellness and fitness and decided to become certified as a personal best activity. However, after Covid she decided to begin to train others as a way of building community. She holds a NCCA accredited World Instructor Training Schools Personal Trainer Certification, American Heart Association Basic Life Support Certification. When not working she spends time with her family and enjoys sailing, hiking, kayaking, and playing tennis. 

Matilda Gbeh

Personal Trainer

Matilda has her bachelor’s degree in Community Health with a minor in psychology from Western Connecticut State University. She completed her internship at Green Point clinic in South Africa, Western Cape Town, where she worked with an underprivileged community as a Health Promotion specialist. Matilda holds a host of certifications, including Nutrition Coach, Women’s Weight Loss Specialist and Certified Food Protection Manager. Over the years, she has experienced working with diverse groups of people, age groups, and in different settings, including but not limited to hospitals for several years, Planned Parenthood as a Clinical Researcher and elementary school as a Health Program Instructor. Matilda loves helping people live a healthy and better life through educating, encouraging, and inspiring on all things health and positive mindset. She believes it’s the best way to empower and improve your life. Prior to COVID, Matilda worked for the Y teaching an after-school nutrition program for Danbury Elementary School children. She believes health is not a single approach and that is why she decided to become a trainer. Matilda is also interested in Public Health, Fitness Nutrition, Culinary and health policy changes. Some of her hobbies include; writing, lifting weights, cooking, baking, experimenting with healthy recipes, traveling and talking with people. 

Susan Zannino

Personal Trainer

Susan is a Certified Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), & also holds a NASM Nutrition Coach Certification & NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist. She is enthusiastic about educating clients on the benefits of a healthy lifestyle through exercise programs & nutrition coaching. She is passionate about helping others achieve their goals whether training for a sporting event or to improve overall wellness. Her training philosophy is “Hold yourself accountable. Ultimately the only person that can change you is yourself. Don’t strive for perfection but instead be persistent, consistent and adhere to your goals to be the best version of yourself.” Susan was an avid Obstacle Course Race Athlete until 2022, and has run over 80 races since 2016 leading to 3 podium finishes in 2018 and 4 podium finishes in 2019. She qualified for and participated in 1 North American Championship and 3 World Championships. When Susan isn’t in the gym she enjoys traveling, hiking, cooking, baking, and spending time with her family and friends. 

Ed McKee

Wellness Staff

Ed patrols the hallways at night. Ed joined the Y as a member in 2018 and has been an active participant in programs such as Lose to Win and Spring into Summer. Ed served as an Army Medic for 5 years as a young adult. He is a small business owner and an avid Packers fan and gardener. He has also been an active member in the Brookfield community as the coach of multiple youth sports while his daughters were young. Ed describes himself as a civil minded individual who tries to help in any way he can.

Eli Huling III

Wellness Staff

Eli works several of the morning weight room shifts, providing a friendly face and words of advice to any member. Eli is the Head Coach of the Brookfield Boy’s Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field team. When Eli’s not at the Y he enjoys spending time at the Y where he can be found pushing his body to the limits with bodybuilding and powerlifting. Eli’s favorite motivational quote is, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.” by Marianne Williamson.

Joseph (Joe) Bonacci

Wellness Staff

Joe makes the rounds on several morning shifts in the weight room. He has been a dedicated, enthusiastic member of the Y since 2003. Joe is a former spin instructor who believes you need to listen to your body while you exercise. When Joe isn’t patrolling the halls of the Y, he can be found reading, gardening and being a high roller going to the casino!

MaryRose Schiering

Wellness Staff

MaryRose was first with the Y in 1986 when her young family moved to Danbury from Southwest Ohio. They became members and all four kids were active in the youth programs. She started her career as a fitness instructor at the Y in 1997. She has been involved as an instructor for Junior Weight Training, youth gymnastics, personal trainer, coach for Lose to Win and other weight loss/fitness programs. She also served as Wellness Coordinator along with Tim Tuttle at the Boughton Street Y in Danbury.  She enjoys spinning, hiking, gardening, baking/cooking, knitting/sewing, playing the piano, attending Broadway shows, DIY projects, and spending time with family, friends, and cats.

Tim Tuttle

Wellness Staff

Tim has his PhD from New York University and has 30+ years of teaching at Western Connecticut State University and Sacred Heart. Tim published the novel Time Out and many poems and historical essays. Tim has been with the Y for many years as a personal instructor and training instructor as well as having many years of experience with youth training programs. His training philosophy is to be social, help anyone who needs help and when they don’t, be there for them when they do. Tim enjoys running, tennis, writing, historical tours, and the Los Angeles Dodgers. His favorite motivational quote is, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – E. Roosevelt

• Stay motivated and committed to exercise.
• Rev up a stale exercise with fresh approaches to your workout.
• Reduce the risk of injury by learning proper techniques.
• Increase your performance level by working out under our guidance.
• Break out of a plateau and challenge yourself.
• Set and achieve short-term and long-term goals, personalized to you.
• Enhance your overall health and quality of life.

Package Pricing:

30 Minute Sessions

1 30 minute session $37

4 30 minute sessions $148

8 30 minute sessions $296

12 30 minute sessions includes 10% discount $399

60 Minute Sessions

1 60 minute session $74

4 60 minute session $296

8 60 minute session $592

12 60 minute sessions incudes 10% discount $799

Kickstart/New Member

4 30 minute session $99

4 60 minute sessions $199

What you will receive in your session:

• Interview and assessment to evaluate the your ability
• Discussion to identify your individual needs and goals
• Program tailored to suit your needs
• Personal Attention
• Encouragement
• Motivation
• Expert Guidance
• Personalized Training Plan
• Proper Form & Technique Cueing
• Injury Prevention Tips
• Proper Warm-Up/Cool-Down
• Basic Nutrition Info

To get started contact,

Lisa O’Connor, Wellness Director
loconnor@regionalymca.org
203-775-4444 ext. 135

Small Group Package Pricing:

45 Minute Sessions

1 45 minute session $20 per person

8 45 minute sessions $120 per person

What you will receive in your session:

• Interview and assessment to evaluate the your ability
• Discussion to identify your individual needs and goals
• Program tailored to suit your needs
• Personal Attention
• Encouragement
• Motivation
• Expert Guidance
• Personalized Training Plan
• Proper Form & Technique Cueing
• Injury Prevention Tips
• Proper Warm-Up/Cool-Down
• Basic Nutrition Info

To get started contact,

Lisa O’Connor, Wellness Director
loconnor@regionalymca.org
203-775-4444 ext. 135