Barry Birkmeyer, longtime manager of The J’s camp and school-age services department, has been promoted to the program’s new director.
Birkmeyer steps into the role after previous director DD Gass announced her retirement earlier this fall.
Birkmeyer has worked in the school-age services department for the past 11 years, starting as a counselor for The J’s “Ma’asim Tovim” camp. After his first summer, Birkmeyer stayed on with the after-school program before being promoted to supervisor. Seven years ago, he stepped into a new assistant director position for J Camp, working alongside Gass as they grew school-age programming at The J.
“I am absolutely thrilled to welcome Barry Birkmeyer as our new director of camps and school-age services” said Carly Stein, The J’s chief operating officer. “Barry's exceptional leadership and innovative vision have already made a remarkable impact within The J. I am excited to see how he will continue to elevate our programs and drive us forward in this new role. With his passion and expertise, I am confident that he will inspire both our team and the families we serve, leading us to new heights of success and engagement.”
Birkmeyer’s enjoyment of his job and the positive impact it has on youth in the community is apparent in relationships he’s built while at The J.
“I love the relationships I’ve built over the last decades – with the parents, kids, staff,” he said. “I make a difference with the kids, and now that I’ve been here long enough, we have kindergarteners I had [during] my first year who are now staff members. It’s cool to see it come full circle and have them on your staff.”
Birkmeyer studied criminology at Missouri State University and realized soon after graduating that it wasn’t a path he found fulfilling. Now, 11 years later, he knows he’s found a path that makes him excited to go to work.
“I want to continue to grow on DD’s legacy,” he said. “I love what we’ve built over the last decade together, and I am ready to step into the role. It’s going to be bittersweet, but I am excited to build on that legacy and make sure kids still love camp and want to come here and make incredible memories.”
