Former Iowa Gov. Chet Culver has been hired as president of the YMCA of Greater Des Moines, according to a release. Culver will report to CEO Dave Schwartz and help with the organization’s fundraising and community outreach.

The YMCA is in the throes of an effort to raise funds for an estimated $9 million swimming pool for the Wellmark YMCA in downtown Des Moines. Among other things, the pool is considered an essential element in boosting membership at the facility.

Schwartz, a former insurance brokerage executive and head of the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, began work as CEO on June 1. Culver starts work on July 5. After losing a re-election bid to Terry Branstad, Culver started Culver Group, an energy consultancy. He served as a volunteer YMCA basketball coach prior to his tenure in elective office and attended YMCA summer camp as a youth near his parents’ hometown of Cedar Rapids, according to the release.

The search for executive leadership at the YMCA was triggered by the resignation of longtime president and CEO Vernon Delpesce after a series of missteps in securing funds for the Wellmark YMCA pool. The YMCA recently received final approval for a $1 million Vision Iowa grant for the pool and two weeks ago received $500,000 from the Polk County Board of Supervisors.