Ashley Hupfi is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties Executive Director Chuck Brooks is retiring after six years of service. His work at Cornell Cooperative was Brooks' second career, having served the YMCA in Michigan for 34 years. “I didn’t like retirement. I thought I could still work and do some good,” Brooks said of his decision to continue working. He was hired in 2012, to lead the nonprofit as it consolidated its Greene and Columbia local offices. The consolidation has made the organization stronger, Brooks said. “We are challenged by budget situations and finances like a lot of other nonprofits,” he said. Brooks said the changes strengthened the organization, and made it possible to continue providing high-quality programs. "Whether both organizations would still be here today without consolidating, I don’t know. But I do know that it’s much stronger," he said., but now its time for someone else to step in. Brooks is now looking forward to spending more time with his family. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.