Matt Ariniello was not being coy when he told The Newtown Bee he was "ready to hit the ground running," after being named director of the Newtown community center.

The departing Newtown Youth andamp; Family Services operations and development director will begin his new job in the coming days, according to First Selectman Dan Rosenthal.

The first selectman said Mr Ariniello has more than 13 years of experience in marketing, fundraising, and community outreach, which he will incorporate as he begins his role in managing and leading the staff at the newly built center.

"We were fortunate to have had a large group of strong candidates apply for this position," Mr Rosenthal said. "Matt stood out for his commitment to the town through his involvement in many community projects and volunteer organizations and, most notably, for his vision for the community center."

In his role at Newtown Youth andamp; Family Services, Mr Ariniello oversaw the planning of community action events, directed annual fundraising initiatives, and organized community programs.

Before that, he spent several years in various positions at the Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut in Brookfield, including membership service coordinator and marketing andamp; communications director.

In addition to his marketing and public relations experience, Mr Ariniello has served as a member of many local agencies, including the United Way of Western Connecticut. He also served on the Newtown Prevention Council and organized several runnings of the Newtown Road Race 5K and Newtown Prevention Council Kids Runs.

The first selectman said Mr Ariniello's combination of organizational skills and motivational style will complement the center's new leadership.

Mr Ariniello said he is equally excited to serve the community in this new role.

"I am ready to hit the ground running," he said. "My goal for the community center is for everyone to have a place to belong."

The soon to be installed community center director expressed thanks "to not only GE, but Mr Rosenthal and the committee for this opportunity to make a positive impact on the people of Newtown.

"Many people have put in hard work to get to this point and for this project to come to fruition," Mr Ariniello said.

In his first few months, the new director said his goal will be "to meet with community members and local organizations to develop long-lasting relationships that will lead to collaboration and tap into the needs of our community."

One of his top priorities will be "solidifying our organizational structure, a structure that is balanced and is sustainable."

"Member engagement is a huge part of a facility like this," he said. "I have missed my daily interactions with members from my experience at the YMCA."

As far as community programming, Mr Ariniello said he and the team leading the center "will look to bring new programs that everyone can benefit from - scheduling for success will be a key to the center's progress."

He said, "The key word is in the name, unity. We will look to this facility as being a multi-generational hub for all - it's not about the brick and mortar; it's about the lives we will be impacting inside."