GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF CENTRAL FLORIDA APPOINTS EDWARD DURKEE AS PRESIDENT AND CEO
ORLANDO, Fla. (Oct. 29, 2019) – Goodwill Industries of Central Florida concluded its nationwide search for a new president and CEO. Long-time Goodwill Industries executive Edward J. Durkee will replace Laurence Hames effective Jan. 1, 2020. Hames served as interim CEO since April of this year.
Durkee brings decades of experience in executive and director-level positions for other Goodwill organizations across the U.S. Most recently, he served as president and CEO of Goodwill Central Coast in Santa Cruz, California, a position he held since 2013. Durkee earned a master’s degree in journalism and a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and political science from Indiana University. He currently sits on the Goodwill Industries International Board of Directors and also serves on the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership Board of Directors.
“After conducting a nationwide search, we found numerous qualified candidates, which speaks to the bright future Goodwill has as an organization,” said Michael Hsu, Board Chairman for Goodwill Industries of Central Florida. “After careful deliberation, we selected Ed Durkee as the best person to carry on our mission here in Central Florida. Ed’s passion for helping others, his focus on workforce development and his strong leadership ability will be key ingredients for our organization to continue providing job training and employment placement services to people who often face barriers to finding work.”
In his new role, Durkee will help Goodwill continue expanding its reach across Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, Brevard and Volusia counties.
“I could not be happier to be going to Central Florida,” added Durkee. “Goodwill is the best company in the world at creating jobs and opportunity for our neighbors. It will be a privilege to work with the Board of Directors and the organization’s excellent team to help the people of Central Florida.”
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About Goodwill Industries of Central Florida, Inc.
Since 1959, Goodwill Industries of Central Florida has provided vocational and job placement services to hundreds of thousands of people with disabilities and other barriers to employment. With 28 retail stores, 24 Donation Xpress locations and 11 Job Connection Centers in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Brevard, Lake and Volusia counties, Goodwill directly channels more than 90 percent of its annual revenue into programs that enable individuals to secure long-term employment and become self-sufficient. For more information, visit www.goodwillcfl.org, “like” Goodwill Industries of Central Florida on Facebook or follow @goodwillcfl on Twitter.