Douglas Smith Honored with Elsine Katz Volunteer Leader of the Year Award
June 30, 2009
Honolulu, HI. — Although Douglas Smith is a busy partner at the law firm of Damon Key Leong Kupchak Hastert, he has demonstrated his passion for Goodwill Industries® of Hawaii by serving in several critical volunteer roles over many years. For his significant contributions as a volunteer leader, Smith has been honored as the 2009 Elsine Katz Volunteer Leader of the Year by Goodwill Industries International.
Smith’s long history of leadership on the Goodwill® Board of Directors is punctuated by two important successes. Two years ago, Goodwill Industries of Hawaii learned that a third of its participants were coming from an economically challenged area on the leeward coast of the island of Oahu, some traveling four hours a day to receive services. Smith championed an $11 million land and capital campaign — overcoming zoning and other hurdles — that resulted in the Ohana Career and Learning Center in West Oahu.
Smith also spearheaded the formation of a separate 501(c)(3) corporation — Goodwill Contract Services Hawaii — which garnered a lucrative federal AbilityOne contract to provide barracks management support services for Army Hawaii Soldier Housing. The contract created jobs above minimum wage for 78 individuals.
“Local Goodwill board members like Douglas Smith provide the expertise and leadership that agencies need for smart, planned growth based on community needs,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “Goodwill Industries of Hawaii was fortunate to have such an exceptional leader when expert stewardship was needed most.”
During Smith’s tenure with Goodwill, the organization has grown revenues from $20 million to $25 million and increased the people served from 6,653 to 8,222, and the number of people placed from 1,050 to 1,863. The board is now considering expanding Goodwill services on other islands in Hawaii through the next capital campaign and building new career centers.
Douglas Smith was honored during the 2009 Goodwill Industries International Delegate Assembly in Indianapolis, IN, on June 29, 2009.
