Goodwill Recognizes Exceptional Achievements at 2025 Annual Meeting of the Conference of Executives

Goodwill Industries International (GII) proudly announced the winners of its prestigious awards at the Annual Meeting of the Conference of Executives (AMCOE), which was held the first week of March in Augusta, Georgia.

This year’s ceremony was truly remarkable, featuring two exceptional Hall of Fame inductees alongside four outstanding award winners. As they took the stage to accept their honors, their contributions and milestones were recognized and celebrated, inspiring those in attendance and highlighting the lasting mark these executives have made on the legacy of Goodwill.

Hall of Fame 2025 Honorees

(Left to right) 2025 P.J. Trevethan award winner Brian Marsh, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Arkansas; 2025 Goodwill Industries Hall of Fame Inductee Laura D. Smith, president and CEO Emeritus of Goodwill Hawaii; 2025 J.D. Robins Jr. Distinguished Career Award winners John Owen, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of South Texas, Inc. and Karla Grazier, president and CEO of Goodwill of Colorado; 2025 Goodwill Industries Hall of Fame Inductee Roland Blahnik, president and CEO Emeritus, Goodwill Kentucky, and 2025 Sustainability Champion Ed Lada, president and CEO of Goodwill Keystone Area

The Goodwill Hall of Fame celebrates and honors the contributions of individuals and organizations who have made a lasting impact on the Goodwill mission. This year’s inductees are:

• Roland Blahnik, President and CEO Emeritus, Goodwill Kentucky (Louisville, KY)
  In his 37-year career with Goodwill, Roland has exemplified the qualities of strong organizational leadership, vision and compassion. His innovative approach to developing donated goods centers and his commitment to creating a strong team culture have left a lasting impact on Goodwill Kentucky.
• Laura Smith, President and CEO Emeritus, Goodwill Hawaii (Honolulu, HI)
  Laura’s career and visionary leadership at Goodwill Hawaii spanned nearly four decades. Her legacy of innovation, collaboration and service made a profound impact on Goodwill Hawaii and the communities it serves. Her strong focus on professional development and mentorship has empowered countless individuals to achieve their full potential.

Additional CEOs were honored for their contributions to Goodwill, how they have supported their communities and their unwavering commitment to service.

J.D. Robins Jr. Distinguished Career Award

The J.D. Robins Jr. award is presented to CEOs for outstanding career contributions and dedication to the advancement of the Goodwill Industries movement over a span of at least 25 years, with at least 15 years as a CEO. The award was renamed in 1999 to honor the late J.D. Robins Jr. for his career-long impact and influence on Goodwill management and process improvement.

This year’s winners are:

• Karla Grazier, President and CEO, Goodwill of Colorado
• John Owen, President and CEO, Goodwill Industries of South Texas, Inc. (Corpus Christi, TX)

P.J. Trevethan Award

Presented annually to a local www.goodwill.organization CEO, the P.J. Trevethan award recognizes outstanding contributions to the training of Goodwill personnel. The award is named after P.J. Trevethan, the late CEO of Goodwill Industries International, who established a fund for this purpose at the time of his retirement in 1966.

This year’s winner is:

• Brian Marsh, President and CEO, Goodwill Industries of Arkansas (Little Rock, AR)

Sustainability Champion Award

The Sustainability Champion Award is presented to a Goodwill executive in recognition of outstanding sustainability practices and accomplishments. The award recognizes a CEO who consistently demonstrates strong leadership in support of the three pillars of sustainability: people (our social impact), planet (our environmental impact) and prosperity (our financial impact)​.

This year’s winner is:

• Ed Lada, President and CEO, Goodwill Keystone Area (Harrisburg, PA)

Congratulations to all the winners for their outstanding contributions and commitment to making a positive difference in the world. These individuals truly deserve this recognition, and we are honored to celebrate their achievements.

ABOUT GOODWILL INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL

Goodwill works to enhance the quality of life of individuals and families by strengthening communities, building bridges to opportunity and helping people in need reach their potential through learning and the Power of Work.

For more than 120 years, Goodwill organizations across North America have helped people find jobs, support their families and feel the satisfaction that comes from working. There are 153 local Goodwill organizations that assist people through a variety of employment placement services, job training programs and other community-based services. Thousands of people receive employment and other human services through Goodwill, and, in 2023, the organization helped more than 1.7 million people build skills, access resources and advance their careers.

Goodwill sells donated items in more than 3,300 outlets and retail stores in the U.S. and Canada as well as through online marketplaces. The revenue creates training programs and job placement support to help people find work or advance in their careers.

For more information or to find a Goodwill location near you, visit www.goodwill.org. Follow us on X/Twitter: @GoodwillIntl and @GoodwillCapHill, and find us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube: @GoodwillIntl.