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VISION AND LEADERSHIP

VISION

Goodwill of Middle Tennessee’s believes all people have the opportunity to reach their fullest potential through the power of work. Our company culture provides all employees a path to betterment. We rely on seven core values, featured below, to guide us toward achieving our goals collectively and individually.

DIVERSITY

We embrace and celebrate everyone’s unique qualities

EMPOWERMENT

We give people the support and tools they need to be successful

ETHICS

We are good stewards of everything that is entrusted to us

EXCELLENCE

We challenge ourselves to continually grow, learn and improve

INNOVATION

We embrace creative ideas and put them into action

INTEGRITY

Honesty and truth will guide our actions and decisions

TEAMWORK

We seek input from those around us and work with one another to accomplish our goals

SENIOR LEADERSHIP

Matthew Bourlakas
President and CEO

Ralph Forsythe
Chief Financial Officer

Christopher Burr
Sr. Director of Donated Goods

Mike Eisenbraun
Sr. Director of Operations

Matt Gloster
Sr. Director of Career Solutions

Karl Houston
Sr. Director of Marketing & Community Relations

Mary La Haie
Sr. Director of Accounting

Ed O’Kelley
Sr. Director of Information Technology

Karen Samuel
Sr. Director of Human Resources

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OFFICERS

Chairperson
Julie Wilson
Senior Vice President, Asset Management
Healthcare Realty Trust

Vice Chairperson
Dave Fentress
Vice President, Internal Audit
Dollar General Corporation

Secretary
Chad M. Grout
Principal Broker
Urban Grout Commercial Real Estate

Treasurer
Bryan L. Bean
Senior Vice President
Pinnacle Financial Partners

Legal Counsel
Christopher S. Dunn
Waller Lansden
Dortch & Davis, LLP Attorneys

Past Chair
Fred McLaughlin
Senior Vice President, Investments
Robert W. Baird & Co., Inc.

Matthew Bourlakas
President and CEO
Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee

Ralph Forsythe
Chief Financial Officer
Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee

DIRECTORS

Woodretta Allen
Cost Containment Manager
United Parcel Service

Bryan L. Bean
First Vice President
SunTrust Bank

Andrew Davidson
Account Executive
Frank E. Neal & Co., Inc.

Dave Fentress
Vice President, Internal Audit
Dollar General Corporation

James B. Foley
Vice President
CBRE, Inc.

Kathryn S. Gibson
Assistant Director
VUMC Finance

Chad Grout, CCIM
Principal Broker
Urban Grout Commercial Real Estate

Ryan R. Loyd
VP – Deputy Chief Accounting Officer
Cigna-Health Spring

Christine E. Skold
VP, Investor Relations,
Strategy & Continuous Improvement
Tractor Supply Company

Todd A. Spaanstra
CPA/Partner
Crowe Horwarth, LLP

John W. Stone, III
Partner
White & Reasor, PLC

John C. Tishler 
Chairman
Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP

Ms. Julie F. Wilson
Senior Vice President, Asset Management
Healthcare Realty Trust

Jeff Young
Vice President
Tennessee Bank & Trust

TRUSTEES

Robert Duthie, Chair
CEO/Founder
Duthie Associates, dba Duthie Learning

Robert McNeilly, III
President & CEO
SunTrust Bank – Nashville

Kathryn I. Thompson
Partner, CEO
Thompson Research Group

VIEW FINANCIAL SUMMARY

TOTAL RECEIVED =
$74,268,553

  • SALES OF GOODS

    $71,870,679

  • GRANTS FOR REHABILITATION SERVICES

    $411,845

  • INVESTMENT INCOME

    $173,429

  • MARKET VALUE INCREASE OF INVESTMENTS

    $46,061

  • UNITED WAY SUPPORT

    $41,970

  • OTHER

    $1,724,569

TOTAL GIVEN =
$78,349,703

  • SALES PROGRAM

    $62,395,428

  • MISSION SERVICES

    $7,681,773

  • GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE

    $7,485,538

  • FUNDRAISING

    $786,964
READ LAIBAO'S STORY

An Independent Man’ Hits His Stride at Goodwill

Laibao, a housekeeping employee at Goodwill’s downtown Nashville headquarters, was once struck by a car while making his 30-minute bicycle commute to work

The driver wanted to call an ambulance, but Laibao, who was unhurt, wouldn’t hear of it. Instead, he loaded his smashed bike into the man’s car and demanded a ride the rest of the way to Goodwill.

“All he wanted to do was get to work,” recalled Laibao’s supervisor, Rick Hamlett. “I don’t know how much better work ethic you can get.”

The story is even more remarkable because Laibao — who arrives at work by bicycle every weekday without fail at 5:10 a.m. — is 81 years old.

Laibao lived most of his life in China, growing up on a farm and then spending 45 years as a chauffeur. For him, hard work has been a way of life, and he attributes his mental and physical fitness to it. After his wife died, he emigrated to America in 2007 and settled in Nashville to be closer to his daughter.

He struggled to find work, however, because he couldn’t understand English. He came to Goodwill Career Solutions for assistance in 2013, was enrolled in the custodial training program and then hired by Goodwill.

At first, Hamlett had to take extra time to ensure Laibao understood instructions.

But Laibao used his paycheck to buy a Chinese-English dictionary. After that, his ability to understand English improved rapidly.

With better understanding came the admiration of his co-workers, who universally respect Laibao’s work ethic and enjoy his sunny disposition, Hamlett said.

“Everybody he comes in contact with loves Laibao,” he explained. “He’s got a great sense of humor, and he’s as nice as anybody you’ll ever meet.”

Laibao has also used his paycheck to support himself and buy several bicycles, including a replacement for the bike hit by the car. It’s a point of pride for him.

“I joined Goodwill, because I wanted to be an independent man,” he said in Chinese, speaking through an interpreter. “I don’t want to rely on someone else. I wanted to be independent financially and in lifestyles, too.”

Laibao also enjoys working on behalf of the mission of Goodwill.

“I hope Goodwill will grow fast and bigger, because it helps a lot of people with mental and physical disabilities,” he said. “When I see them working with me, I feel happy.”

READ ANTONIO'S STORY

Goodwill Construction Graduate Building a Career

As a child, Antonio Williams rarely felt confident about math or books, but he was at home building things. Whenever his mother or grandmother needed something assembled, they called him.

He dreamed of going into construction, but by his mid-20s he was still seeking a start. He was living in Nashville with several relatives who had health problems and needed his support, but Antonio was unemployed.

He searched endlessly for a job, trying everything from warehouses to fast food restaurants. He applied with at least 15 construction companies, but the few employers that responded said he lacked necessary experience. The situation at home deteriorated, and Antonio grew desperate.

“I was really at my wits’ end, to the point where I just wanted to give up,” he recalled.

In 2014, Antonio sought help from Goodwill Career Solutions, where he received training in job readiness, computer basics, resume writing and even forklift operation.

Then, he heard about Goodwill’s construction program and jumped at an opportunity to participate. During the six-week program, Antonio got hands-on experience using tools and reading blueprints. He also found a friend and mentor in Tim Kahn, the program’s instructor.

“I was a projects kid with no father and all that. I know that world too well,” Antonio explained. “Tim literally became  like a father figure to me.”

Kahn said when Antonio began the program he was unsure of his abilities or where he fit in. He just knew he wanted to work in construction.

“I think coming to the class strengthened Antonio’s confidence,” Kahn said. “When he left there he was ready to go and conquer the world.”

After graduating, Antonio quickly landed two jobs — one with Lowe’s and one with Solomon Builders.

Today, he has his own car and apartment and is pursuing his dream of becoming a general contractor.

Antonio has also maintained his relationship with Goodwill. He returns to visit each of the construction classes and tell them about his experiences.

“He tells his story, and he jumps right in helps me teach,” Kahn said. “He’s been a real asset and an inspiration to our trainees.”

In September of 2016, Antonio was named the recipient of the David B. Lifsey Scholarship, which is awarded annually to a training program graduate who is furthering their education in pursuit of a career.

Antonio said the scholarship was just one more example of positive change in his life.

“Goodwill helped me, and I’m in a better place for it,” he said.

READ TAMMY'S STORY

After Two Decades, Goodwill Employee Achieving Educational Goals

For nearly two decades, Tammy had to live with the the feeling of having missed out.

“Seeing my friends graduate, and then later hearing them talk about class reunions and stuff like that was hard,” she said. “I was like, ‘that’s supposed to be me.”

Tammy dropped out of high school after getting pregnant in the 11th grade. Soon, she was a single mother with four children and no job. Her children had a caring and supportive father, although he and Tammy had broken up. Then, on Memorial Day of 2000, he was killed in a domestic violence incident.

“At that point, I just felt like I needed to do more for my kids so they could be proud of me,” Tammy says.

Her first step was going to Goodwill Career Solutions for help finding a job. That led to Tammy being hired as a clothing tagger the Nashville processing warehouse. She has since been promoted and has now been with Goodwill for 15 years.

Today, Tammy is a production associate team leader in Goodwill’s donation processing warehouse in Nashville. For the last four years, she has worked with a unique group of about 30 Goodwill team members. These employees, known as the A-Team, all have learning disabilities.

Tammy works alongside A-Team members and provides supervision as needed. But even more important is the emotional support she gives. She listens to their problems, helps them when they make a mistake and comforts them when they cry.

“Goodwill changed my life by giving me this opportunity,” she says. “I am proud of the work that I do. Whenever an A-Team member calls my name or asks me a question. I feel like I am the teacher and they are the student.”

Co-workers and supervisors say Tammy is a kind and supportive person and uniquely qualified for her job, because she grew up helping care for a developmentally challenged cousin.

“Goodwill changed my life by giving me this opportunity,” she says. “I am proud of the work that I do. Whenever an A-Team member calls my name or asks me a question. I feel like I am the teacher and they are the student.”

What Tammy has paid forward, she has also received. Thanks to her steady job at Goodwill, she was able to raise her children as a single mother and see them all graduate from high school. Today, she is married, owns her own home and is raising one of her grandchildren.

And with Goodwill’s help, she is working to achieve her own education goals.

Two afternoons a week, Tammy takes classes to study for the high school equivalency test through a program offered at Goodwill. She has passed two portions of the test and has four more to take. She expects to earn her high school equivalency certificate by the end of August 2017.

“My kids are proud of me,” she said.

WHO WE HELPED

HELPING OTHERS OVERCOME BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT

  • Unemployed or Dislocated Worker

  • $43,306/mo

  • Criminal Background

  • $7,397/mo

  • Lack of GED/ High School Equivalency

  • $3,693/mo

  • Homeless

  • $3,226/mo

  • Welfare Recipient

  • $2,173/mo

  • Older Worker

  • $1,721/mo

  • Working Poor, Underemployed

  • $1,340/mo

  • Lack of/Low Literacy

  • $511/mo

  • At-Risk Youth

  • $485/mo

  • Non-English Speaking

  • $445/mo

  • History of Substance Abuse

  • $135/mo

  • Other Disadvantages

  • $2,472/mo

HELPING SUPPORT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

  • Psychiatric and/or Emotional Disability

    1,655

  • Learning Disability other than Autism

    691

  • Neurological Disability

    661

  • Developmental Disability / Not Autism

    294

  • Blindness or Other Visual Impairment

    225

  • Deafness or Other Hearing Impairment

    196

  • Autism

    157

  • Other Disabling Condition

    2,195

EMPOWERING PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, GENDERS & RACES

Female

22,317

Male

22,061

Unreported

78

  • 226 age 0 to 11

  • 54 age 12 to 15

  • 11590 age 16 to 24

  • 11905 age 25 to 34

  • 7813 age 34 to 44

  • 6890 age 45 to 54

  • 5931 age 55 plus

23809

WHITE

16476

BLACK

2484

MULTI RACIAL

538

Asian, Pacific Islander

169

American Indian, Eskimo, Aleut

980

Unreported Race

HOW WE HELP OTHERS
Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee is based in Nashville, Tenn. The organization employs about 2,000 people and serves 48 counties throughout Middle and West Tennessee. We operate 34 retail stores and two outlet stores, more than 75 donation sites and eight Career Solutions centers.

Founded in 1957 as a not-for-profit, Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee’s mission is changing lives through education, training and employment.

At Goodwill we believe in giving a hand up, not a handout — a saying coined by Goodwill’s founder, the Rev. Edgar J. Helms. Helms worked as a missionary in the slums of Boston in the early 1900s. He hired the poor and needy to mend and repair used goods he collected from wealthy Bostonians. The refurbished items were resold, and the proceeds were paid as wages to the people who did the work. This became the basis for the mission of Goodwills throughout the U.S. and abroad.

Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee is based in Nashville, Tenn. The agency employs about 2,000 people and serves 48 counties throughout Middle and West Tennessee.

We operate 34 retail stores and two outlet stores, more than 75 donation sites and eight Career Solutions centers. Eighty-eight percent of our employees come to Goodwill in connection with its mission, and we remain one of Middle and West Tennessee’s largest employers of people with disabilities.

Although affiliated with Goodwill Industries International in Bethesda, Md., we operate independently through our own governing board of directors.

Goodwill accepts gently-used items that donors no longer want, need or use. Those items are sold either in our retail stores or online at onlinegoodwill.com. Revenue from the sale of donated goods helps fund job training services and programs provided by Goodwill Career Solutions, which assists thousands of Tennesseans each year.

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