Goodwill Industries International Recognizes Goodwill Manasota CEO

“To be recognized by Goodwill Industries International for a program developed by Goodwill Manasota is a huge honor,” said Bob Rosinsky, president and CEO of Goodwill Manasota. “We use donations to create jobs and opportunities for people, and we want to help other Goodwill stores do the same. Education and training are an integral part of Goodwill’s success and that’s why the MDS program was developed.”According to GII, individuals who receive this award are Goodwill leaders, including CEOs, staff members or volunteers, who have made innovative contributions through services or processes for the advancement of Goodwill’s mission. Throughout the 41 years, Rosinsky has been recognized for many progressive programs, including being involved in the development of WESA (Web Enabled Statistical Analysis), a database program that interfaces with point-of-sale systems and tracks everything a Goodwill needs to know about their donations, sales, donor value, labor and transaction values.“Robert and Charlotte Watkins endowed an award to honor innovation among Goodwills – innovations that can ultimately benefit the entire enterprise,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “Bob embodies the spirit of the award and his work continues to impact the broader Goodwill network on a daily basis.”MDS was developed in 1996 and is a model for helping Goodwill stores effectively utilize donated goods to create growth and jobs. Programs included in MDS include organizational development, retail management, leadership training and a management program for donated goods, among others to manage and set up strategic real estate and new stores.Goodwill Manasota opens a new $13-million, 65,000-square-foot corporate campus in Bradenton on July 17. This expansion effort creates 27 local jobs and adds 28,000-square-feet to its existing retail operations. The corporate campus will also house a 35,000-square-foot international training center, which will open in October 2014. This training center will be the centerpiece of the Mission Development Services program and represents the organization’s success story.About Goodwill ManasotaGoodwill Manasota is an industry-leading, 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization that changes lives through the power of work. With the sales of donated goods and philanthropic donations, Goodwill is able to assist people with disabilities and other barriers to employment by providing job skills training and employment opportunities. In 2013, we served more than 16,000 people, placed 537 people in jobs and assisted 329 veterans as they reintegrated back into the civilian workforce. Goodwill Manasota’s economic impact back to the community is worth $81.3 million.  We accomplish our mission through a network of Good Neighbor Centers in Sarasota, Manatee, Hardee and DeSoto counties and our Mission Development Services (MDS) around North America.  Goodwill has provided opportunities through such programs as Donated Goods Employment Services, Job Connection, American Veterans & their Families Initiative, JobsPlus, Supported JobsPlus, GoodwillWorks, White Glove Services, Good Neighbor Program and Ambassadors Program. Goodwill is one of the pioneers of the reduce-reuse-recycle movement and this past year diverted 37 million pounds out of the landfill.  Goodwill Manasota is legally organized under the laws of the United States and the State of Florida. We are accountable to a local Board of Directors. Goodwill Manasota in essence belongs to this community, and is NOT owned by any individual or company. For more information, visit EXPERIENCEGOODWILL.ORG.