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Horizon Goodwill Welcomes New Chief of Mission Officer

Horizon Goodwill Industries Announces Allison Palmer as Chief Mission Officer

Hagerstown, MD — March 2026 — Horizon Goodwill Industries is pleased to announce the appointment of Allison Palmer as the organization’s new Chief Mission Officer, effective March 10, 2026. She succeeds Brooke Grossman, who departed in October 2025 to become the Executive Director of Jefferson County Community Ministries in Charles Town, WV.

Allison Palmer, Chief Mission Officer of Horizon Goodwill, smiling with curly brown hair wearing a tan cardigan and striped shirt, standing in front of a blue wall with colorful words including "Hope," "Thriving," and "Compassion."
Allison Palmer, Chief Mission Officer

Palmer brings a strong background in social work leadership and community‑based services, with a career dedicated to empowering individuals, advancing social justice, and strengthening mission‑driven organizations. She most recently served as Director of Housing Stabilization at the Housing Authority of Washington County, where she led initiatives supporting housing stability for individuals and families. Prior to that role, she spent six years providing educational and social work supports at Brook Lane Health Services.

A licensed social worker, Palmer holds both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from Salisbury University. She is deeply engaged in the local community, currently serving as a board member for the Department of Social Services and as an alumni member of Leadership Washington County.

In her role as Chief Mission Officer, Palmer will provide executive leadership for Horizon Goodwill Industries’ mission‑focused programs and services, ensuring alignment between strategy, community impact, and organizational values.

“Allison’s leadership style, professional experience, and deep commitment to people make her an exceptional fit for this role,” said David Shuster, Ed.D., CE, President and CEO of Horizon Goodwill Industries. “She brings both heart and strategic clarity to her work, and I am confident she will help us further advance our mission of removing barriers to social mobility across the communities we serve.”

Palmer shared her enthusiasm about joining the organization, saying “I’m excited to join an organization with such a strong presence in the community and a clear commitment to helping people. I look forward to strengthening and expanding our programs while supporting the staff who make this work possible and helping build a workplace where people can thrive.”

About Horizon Goodwill Industries
Horizon Goodwill Industries is a nonprofit organization dedicated to removing barriers to social mobility through workforce development, community‑based services, and mission‑driven enterprise.

 

HGI Adolescent Clubhouse Launch Youth Gardening Project with Support from Wash. Co. Health Department 

Horizon Goodwill Industries is excited to announce the launch of a new youth gardening initiative through the HGI Adolescent Clubhouse, made possible by a $10,000 grant from the Washington County Health Department. 

picture of gardens beside HGI2 building

The grant funded the construction of raised garden beds and the purchase of supplies to teach youth the fundamentals of urban gardening, healthy eating, and sustainable living. The hands-on program will be implemented at the Adolescent Clubhouse located at 200 N Prospect Street and is designed to engage youth in learning how to grow food while developing responsibility, teamwork, and environmental awareness. The project supports broader public health goals around nutrition, mental wellness, and healthy lifestyle habits, aligning with Horizon Goodwill’s ongoing mission to remove barriers and build stronger, more resilient communities. 

“A garden is the perfect addition to the Adolescent Clubhouse as we work to foster an environment where youth and young adult participants continue to develop healthy living habits.” Said Brooke Grossman, Chief Mission Officer for Horizon Goodwill Industries. “We are thankful to the Washington County Health Department for the funding to pilot this project and our friends at Harlem Grown for sharing their expertise with us as we being this journey.”  

In July, the staff from the Adolescent Clubhouse traveled to Harlem, NY to gain inspiration and knowledge on urban gardening and community development. The founder, Tony Hillery, took the HGI team on a tour of their educational gardens, mobile teaching kitchen and child-care centers. Founded in 2011, Harlem Grown is an independent, non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire youth to lead healthy and ambitious lives through mentorship and hands-on education in urban farming, sustainability, and nutrition.  

The Horizon Goodwill Adolescent Clubhouse provides a safe, substance-free environment for youth ages 10-16 offering programs that promote positive decision-making, peer connection, and life skills. The gardening initiative will become part of the Clubhouse’s regular programming.

Member of the Adolescents Club House posed around newly erected raised garden beds with banner that says "Adolescents Clubhouse Green Scene"

Horizon Goodwill Industries Announces Leadership Promotion

Horizon Goodwill Industries Announces Leadership Promotion

Steve Bledsoe[Hagerstown, January 15, 2024] – Horizon Goodwill Industries (HGI), a leading non-profit organization committed to community development and empowerment, proudly announces the promotion of Steve Bledsoe to the position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Steve previously served as the Controller and brings over 35 years of valuable experience in accounting and finance to his new role.

Serving as the Controller for the past five years, Steve’s promotion is a testament to HGI’s dedication to fostering internal talent and promoting professional development within the organization. His extensive background, including serving as Chief Financial Officer for Primary Capital Mortgage before joining HGI, uniquely positions him for success in this expanded capacity.

David Shuster, Ed.D., CEO of Horizon Goodwill, expresses his enthusiasm for Steve’s promotion: “We are delighted to announce Steve as our new CFO. His wealth of experience in financial services, coupled with his integral role at HGI, makes him the perfect fit for this position. This promotion exemplifies our commitment to recognizing and cultivating exceptional leadership within our team.”

As Steve takes on the role of CFO, Horizon Goodwill Industries anticipates continued growth, innovation, and success under his financial stewardship. This strategic move reinforces the organization’s confidence in its talented team members and underscores its commitment to building a strong leadership foundation from within.

About Horizon Goodwill: Horizon Goodwill Industries (HGI) is a future-focused nonprofit workforce development organization headquartered in Hagerstown, MD, responsible for serving communities in 17 counties across MD, PA, WV, and VA. Operating numerous social enterprises and human services programs, HGI helps thousands of individuals each year pursue economic mobility through its mission of removing barriers to social mobility for meaningful and sustainable employment. Through this work, Goodwill is committed to advancing equitable opportunities for employment and environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Learn more at www.horizongoodwill.org. For media inquiries, contact the marketing department at 301-733-7330 x1630 or marketing@goodwill-hgi.org.

 

Horizon Goodwill Industries Announces Strategic Leadership Promotions

Horizon Goodwill Industries Announces Strategic Leadership Promotions

[Hagerstown, October 1, 2023] – Horizon Goodwill Industries (HGI) is proud to announce the promotion of three dedicated individuals to new leadership positions within the organization. These strategic advancements underscore HGI’s commitment to fostering growth and development from within its talented team.

Debra Carbaugh PhotoDebra Carbaugh, a seasoned professional with an impressive 19-year tenure at HGI, has been appointed Chief of Staff and Assistant VP of Strategic Initiatives. In her previous role as Director of Training and Development, Debra demonstrated reliable leadership and her years of dedication to the organization bring unparalleled experience to the position. Leveraging that experience alongside a deep understanding of the local community and broader Goodwill network, Debra will now play a crucial role in supporting Board of Directors activities, leading strategic initiatives, and extending executive-level capacity.

Tammy Elrick PhotoTammy Elrick, who started at HGI in 2016 as a Vocational Case Manager, has been promoted to the position of Interim Director of Training and Development. Tammy has served the last two years as a Workforce Development Instructor, playing a pivotal role in shaping the skills and capabilities of HGI’s workforce. Her hands-on experience not only showcases her commitment to the organization’s mission but also positions her uniquely to lead the Training and Development department.

Kenneth Winebrenner PhotoAdditionally, we are pleased to announce the promotion of Kenneth Winebrenner to the role of Interim Director of Human Resources. Kenneth, who joined HGI as an Employment Specialist in 2016, brings valuable experience within the organization. He has consistently demonstrated a commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive workplace culture.

These promotions reflect HGI’s confidence in the exceptional talents of its team members and the organization’s dedication to nurturing leadership from within. As Debra, Tammy, and Kenneth take on their new roles, Horizon Goodwill Industries looks forward to continued growth, innovation, and success.

About Horizon Goodwill: About Horizon Goodwill: Horizon Goodwill Industries (HGI) is a future-focused nonprofit workforce development organization headquartered in Hagerstown, MD, responsible for serving communities in 17 counties across MD, PA, WV, and VA. Operating numerous social enterprises and human services programs, HGI helps thousands of individuals each year pursue economic mobility through its mission of removing barriers to social mobility for meaningful and sustainable employment. Through this work, Goodwill is committed to advancing equitable opportunities for employment and environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Learn more at www.horizongoodwill.org. For media inquiries, contact Craig Foster, Marketing and Public Relations Manager, at 301-733-7330 x1630 or cfoster@goodwill-hgi.org.

Former Horizon Goodwill Executive Director/CEO Passes After Illness

Former Horizon Goodwill Executive Director/CEO Passes After Illness

(Hagerstown, Maryland, November 2021) Horizon Goodwill Industries shares news of the recent death of former Executive Director and CEO, Craig M. MacLean.

Mr. MacLean retired from Horizon Goodwill in 2015, after a remarkable 35 years of service. In 1980 Craig joined Horizon Goodwill Industries as a Branch Manager at our Cumberland, Maryland location. At that time, only three retail stores existed in the area, with annual revenues hovering around $500,000. Within four years, based on his dedication to the community, hard work, leadership, and vision, Craig was appointed Executive Director & CEO of our organization. Under his leadership Horizon Goodwill Industries rapidly expanded; Craig grew the organization from 3 to 17 stores, adding donation processing, training, and resource centers in western Maryland and West Virginia. At the time of his retirement, annual revenues had grown to over $18M.

Craig was most proud of his efforts to partner with other service providers and employers to ensure that those who came to Goodwill for assistance received skills training and vocational services and a network of opportunities to connect with the resources each person might need. A strong advocate for women, Craig provided encouragement, training, mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for women throughout the agency. As a result, several have moved on to manage their own non-profit agencies.

Current CEO and President David Shuster said, “Much of the foundation upon which our current success has been built was laid during his tenure, and communities across our territory are better for his having served here. I owe him a personal debt of gratitude as he took a chance and hired me for my first position here in 2013 and I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with and learn from him during his final two years at HGI.”

Ron Bowers, Chairman of the Board for Horizon Goodwill remembers Craig, “Throughout his time at Horizon Goodwill,  Craig reached out to the unemployed and underrepresented individuals throughout our territory. His business model was well thought out and implemented with precision at the most appropriate time in our history. Extremely proud to have known him over these many years, as an elected official and as a board member

Before joining Horizon Goodwill Industries, Mr. Maclean was an Assistant Professor at Oberlin College in Ohio. He attended Brooklyn College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He then attended Princeton University, earned a Master of Arts, and pursued a graduate degree in Politics and Government. Prior to his academic pursuits, he served in the U.S. Army.

In recognition of his stewardship, the Horizon Goodwill Board of Directors honored Craig at his retirement by naming the Corporate Headquarters in Hagerstown the “Craig M. MacLean Career Development Center.”

We extend our sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Craig Martin MacLean.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Community Foundation of Washington County, Maryland, specifying the donation to go to the Craig M. MacLean-HGI Scholarship Fund.

Click here for his official obituary.

David Shuster, HGI’s New CEO!

David ShusterCongratulations to David Shuster on becoming our CEO! He has proven great leadership not only in his time as a interim chief executive officer, but as director of operations and compliance for Horizon Goodwill since February 2016. You can read more about this here!

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