In The News

Goodwill Names New President & CEO

May 26, 2017

Canton, OH – May 26, 2017 – The Goodwill Board of Directors announced today that Anne Richards has been named as the new President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio.

“I am both honored and humbled to be named the leader of this great organization,” said Richards. “Our employees, along with our board and community partners, are impacting lives every day. We help individuals overcome barriers to employment. We teach parenting skills to people who have lost temporary custody of their children.  We respond in the middle of the night to survivors of sexual assault.  The list goes on.  Your Goodwill does this and so much more. And, we couldn’t do it without the generous support of our donors and shoppers who support our stores and, in turn, help fund these valuable programs.  I’m inspired as we look towards our future and continue to build on the foundation Ken Weber left us; expanding our reach and impact in this community.”

The President and CEO position was vacated in December 2016 when longtime Goodwill President and CEO Ken Weber unexpectedly passed away.  Since that time, Richards has served as both the Vice President of Human Resources and Interim President and CEO.

“Ken Weber was a visionary leader for both Goodwill and our community.  His passing was a tremendous loss, but he was an inspiring teacher and left a legacy and strong foundation for us in which to build,” added Richards.

A special search committee was formed by the Board of Directors earlier this year and conducted a comprehensive national search.  It was by the recommendation of this search committee and the unanimous vote of the Board that Richards was named to this position.

“As Vice President of Human Resources since 2012, Anne has helped lead Goodwill through a number of milestone moments, including expansions of both the retail and mission programs,” explained William Bryan, Executive Vice President of Supply Chain and Information Technology at TimkenSteel and Goodwill Board Chairperson. “Anne has served as an integral part of the Goodwill team and is a proven leader with experience and passion for our mission. We are grateful to have her lead this organization and pleased to have such a strong staff that complements her skill sets. Together, I’m confident that we will continue to carry out our mission to improve the quality of life and employment opportunities for all people.”

Before joining Goodwill, Richards, a Massillon-native, held operations and human resources leadership positions with The Timken Company and Detroit Diesel. She is a graduate of Kent State University and Walsh University, and will graduate from Goodwill International’s Executive Development Program next month. She is an active community volunteer, serving on several boards and committees throughout Northeast Ohio.

Richards will immediately begin in the role of President and CEO, and a search will be conducted at once to appoint a new Vice President of Human Resources.

ABOUT GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF GREATER CLEVELAND AND EAST CENTRAL OHIO:

The local Goodwill, Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio, Inc., (“Goodwill”) is a nearly 100-year old social enterprise that works closely with other non-profit agencies as well as community businesses to prepare people for a variety of stable career options and in turn, a more productive and sustainable way of life. Revenue from its retail stores helps Goodwill provide people with the life changing, skill-building programs and services needed to remove common barriers to good jobs.  In 2016, Goodwill impacted the lives of 14,438 residents in the 10 counties it serves: Cuyahoga, Geauga, part of Lake, Stark, Tuscarawas, Carroll, Jefferson, and Harrison in Ohio, and Brooke and Hancock in West Virginia. Learn more at www.GoodwillGoodSkills.org.

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