Each year, Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina holds its annual Recognition Banquet to highlight accomplishments resulting from teamwork, partnerships, volunteers and supporters. Goodwill held its banquet on Thursday, Nov. 7, at Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem.
The banquet recognizes contributions of participants in Goodwill’s career services programs; Goodwill employees; Goodwill Business Advisory Council members; corporate partners; and the many nonprofit agencies and community organizations that help carry out Goodwill’s mission.
The event included a keynote address by Steve C. Preston, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International (GII). Goodwill Industries International is a network of 157 community-based, autonomous organizations in the United States and Canada with a presence in 12 other countries. Local Goodwill organizations offer employment opportunities, job placement and training services, and other community-based programs, funded by selling donated clothing and household items in more than 3,300 stores and at shopgoodwill.com®.
Prior to joining GII, Preston served in several operational and financial leadership positions in both the private and public sectors. He headed two major federal agencies during times of national crisis, led successful turnarounds as the CEO of two private equity-owned companies, and served as the CFO of two Fortune 500 companies (The ServiceMaster Company and Waste Management) during times of significant change and restructuring.
Goodwill recognized Michael D. Gunter, who is Goodwill’s longest-serving Board of Directors member. Gunter, an equity partner with Womble Bond Dickinson, has been actively involved with Goodwill’s Board since 1986.
The highlight of the Recognition Banquet is the presentation of the Graduate of the Year and Achiever of the Year awards, which are presented to individuals who’ve participated in Goodwill’s career services programs.
The Graduate of the Year Award honors an outstanding person with a disability or disadvantaging condition who has completed a Goodwill career services program and gone on to demonstrate outstanding achievement by attaining and maintaining successful employment in the community.
The 2019 Graduate of the Year is Clarence Harris Jr., of Boonville. After a serious illness ended his long career in law enforcement, Harris faced losing his home and car. The employment specialists at Goodwill Career Connections in Elkin assisted him with studying for his real estate license, writing a resume and other services. Harris is currently a broker with Weichert Realtors Triad Associates in Winston-Salem. Click here to watch Clarence’s story
The Achiever of the Year award is presented to an outstanding individual who has overcome personal obstacles and achieved success in the workplace. The recipient must have demonstrated significant personal and vocational development, and worked at Goodwill for at least one year.
The 2019 Achiever of the Year is Hal Mickle, of Winston-Salem. Mickle was laid off after 41 years working at a local medical facility. Goodwill’s EDGE program, which assists individuals re-entering the workforce, offered him work experience and on-the-job training through Goodwill’s housekeeping skills program. Mickle has been employed at Goodwill’s Winston-Salem headquarters since 2017. Click here to watch Hal’s story
Additionally, Goodwill presented awards to employees, community partners and donors:
Employee Recognition
Presented to Goodwill employees who demonstrate Goodwill’s corporate values through outstanding performance, integrity, teamwork and service to Goodwill’s mission.
- Clarence Cox – Loss Prevention and Security, Winston-Salem
- Leon Harris – Recycling Supervisor, Conover Regional Operations Center
- Emily Holder – Assistant Retail Store Manager, Taylorsville
- Joyce McClain – Habilitation Technician, Community Access Program,
- Ruth Owens – Goodwill Professional Center, Winston-Salem
Donor Partner of the Year Award – etc. Consignment Shoppe, Debbie Shough
etc. Consignment Shoppe has been a long-time community partner and consistently provides high quality donations in support of Goodwill’s mission. The sale of the clothing, accessories and home décor items funds employment and training services for nearly 4,000 people in the local community each year.
Employer of the Year – Triad Sales and Recruiting Solutions, Pamela Garner
Triad Sales and Recruiting Solutions is a direct hire placement company with a proven track record of matching qualified candidates to a variety of industries. In less than two years, Triad Sales and Recruiting Solutions has placed 150 Goodwill participants into temporary assignments with several transitioning to permanent positions.
Partner Agency of the Year Award – High Country Workforce Development Board
By partnering with like-minded organizations, Goodwill is able to pool resources and magnify its impact in the community. The High Country staff was instrumental in supporting Goodwill’s recent program expansion into Watauga County, including the launch of hospitality industry training, and connecting Goodwill with local employers.
Special Recognition Awards – Robert Garcia, Trellis Supportive Care of Winston-Salem
Robert is a dedicated and enthusiastic volunteer with the Goodwill Professional Center, assisting with speed interviewing events and resource fairs, sharing Trellis job openings and advising Professional Center clients who are considering a transition into the nonprofit arena.