AJ Hernandez serves as the President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Montgomery, a role he assumed in June 2024. As the leader of the organization, Hernandez drives the strategic plan, sets the vision and culture and engages staff, board members, volunteers and the broader community. His leadership is centered on maintaining and expanding the YMCA’s positive reputation both locally and nationally. Hernandez’s proudest career accomplishment is the development of staff and youth under his mentorship, empowering them to become impactful leaders themselves. In addition to his professional work, Hernandez remains actively involved in the community by serving on various boards, participating in local events and coaching his children’s youth sports teams.

• Key to Success: Being intentional in all I do. I believe that the more we show up and be present as leaders matters. Most people just want to be heard and supported with time.
• Guilty Pleasure: I have a pizza oven at home… I make a variety of pizzas with my family and love to try out unique toppings. Don’t mind a nice cocktail either.
• High School Superlative: “Best All-Around”
• Childhood Aspirations: A professional athlete and then a lawyer. I got close on both, but I believe the Lord placed me exactly where I should be to have the biggest impact on others!
• First Job: A summer camp counselor. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. To serve a group of children by making sure they had an amazing time while being safe was challenging but so fun!
• Best Advice: “Hard work beats talent, when talent doesn’t work hard.” Effort and intentionality each day matters. Be present in every interaction.
• Biggest Influence Personally & Professionally: My personal Board of Directors… It is a group of leaders, friends, mentors that I call in consistently to hold me accountable, bounce ideas off of, listen, support and uplift and just be true thought leaders in my life.