FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
Goodwill® Industries of the Southern Piedmont Announces New President & CEO
Chris Jackson to succeed Michael Elder on June 1
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (April 11, 2017) – The Board of Directors of Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont announced today the organization’s new President & CEO, Chris Jackson. Jackson, Executive Vice President of Workforce Services & Organizational Development, will become the fifth president in the organization’s 51-year history, succeeding Michael Elder, who announced his retirement earlier this year after 40 years as President & CEO.
Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont helps individuals build careers in a variety of in-demand industries including customer service, administrative and business services, and construction. Goodwill also offers free computer literacy courses such as Internet 101 and a Microsoft Office Specialist certification, as well as résumé workshops, mock interviews, and other vocational and career development services. These services are provided free of charge to job seekers thanks to donations and purchases made by the community at Goodwill’s 24 retail stores and more than 30 donation sites in the region.
Chris Jackson will assume his new role on June 1, 2017. Elder will serve as President Emeritus until October 2018 and will be available to the new leader for special projects and counsel as needed.
“I am extremely excited and humbled to be given the opportunity to lead this amazing organization. The mission, passion and excellence of staff and leadership, as well as the ability to help positively transform communities, inspires me. The organization’s business model makes Goodwill uniquely qualified to support significant change in the region we serve, and I look forward to working in partnership with our 800 team members, the Board of Directors, community partners, donors and other key stakeholders to continue to make the organization one of the most impactful social enterprises in the world,” said Jackson. “Having experienced many of the same barriers faced by our clients, it is my privilege and honor to elevate our mission of Changing Lives Through the Power of Work and to be a champion for the development of trusting relationships, access to opportunity and long-term support to help people achieve their dreams and aspirations.”
Jackson joined Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont in November 2010 as Vice President of the Strategic Planning and Organizational Development division with responsibilities for the design, management and support of annual and strategic planning processes, and performance measurement systems. In April 2013, Jackson was promoted to Executive Vice President of Workforce Services & Organizational Development with expanded responsibilities to oversee the organization’s employment and career development services, annual and strategic planning process, performance management systems and human resource functions. Under his leadership, a bold strategic plan was developed that influenced all areas of the organization’s operations, resulting in significant redesign of client services, increased strategic partnerships with other health and human services agencies, improved development and engagement of team members, and the development of dynamic partnerships at the new Leon Levine Opportunity Center on the Goodwill Opportunity Campus.
Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont is comprised of 24 retail stores and three job resource center operations across eight counties of North Carolina and South Carolina (Mecklenburg, Gaston, Lincoln, Cleveland, Cabarrus, Union, York, Lancaster). In addition to its retail stores, the organization has other established business enterprises to support the mission by generating revenue, creating jobs and offering job training. These businesses include GoodWork Staffing, one of the largest temporary staffing agencies in the region; Goodwill Construction Services, a full-service construction division; Community Table Bistro, a restaurant that also offers catering for the event spaces at the Goodwill Opportunity Campus; ShopGoodwill.com, an e-commerce business; Electronics Recycling and E-Books, Goodwill’s online book retailer. The organization has an operating budget of $60 million annually.
Prior to joining Goodwill, Jackson was Vice President of Community Building for United Way of Central Carolinas and a Principal in the Retail Client Group for The Vanguard Group in Charlotte, N.C. and Valley Forge, Pa.
Jackson is actively involved in the community as a member of the Charlotte Regional Partnership Board of Directors, North Carolina Outward Bound Charlotte Advisory Board, Charlotte Merchants Foundation, and Crisis Assistance Ministry Board of Directors. He was also formerly a member of the UNCC Urban Institute Strategic Planning Committee, Workforce Initiative for Supportive Housing (W.I.S.H.), South Tryon Community Development Corporation, and Junior Achievement.
Jackson holds a Business Degree in Organizational Innovation from the University of Phoenix and is a graduate of Goodwill Industries International’s Executive Development Program. He is a member of Class XIII of the American Leadership Forum, Community Building Initiative-LDI Class I and a former member of its executive team.
“We are thrilled with the selection of Chris Jackson as our new President & CEO,” said Sara Garces-Roselli, chair of Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont’s Board of Directors. “The search committee, under the direction of local search firm Anderson & Associates, conducted a national search, and to be able to name one of our very own to take the helm and build upon the legacy of leadership, impact and innovation is gratifying.”
“Chris brings more than 25 years of executive leadership responsibilities, and a demonstrated ability to successfully lead teams and manage complex operational processes,” said Michael Elder. “His ability to build strategic relationships, implement successful process improvements, develop talent and create great work environments will serve him well in his new role.”
For more information about Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont, please visit www.goodwillsp.org.
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About Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont
Goodwill has been serving individuals and families in the Southern Piedmont region of North and South Carolina for more than 50 years. Goodwill operates 24 retail stores and has more than 30 donation sites in the region. Proceeds from the sale of donated goods fund job training and employment services for individuals facing barriers to employment such as lack of skills, experience or education, and those with criminal backgrounds. For more information, visit www.goodwillsp.org.
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Media Contacts
Molly Thompson | PR & Social Media Manager | Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont | Phone: (704) 332-0262 | Email: molly.thompson@goodwillsp.org
Melinda Wilshire | Director, Marketing & Communications | Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont | Phone: (704) 916-1616 | Email: melinda.wilshire@goodwillsp.org
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