Executive Director and CEO of Horizon Goodwill Industries, Craig M. MacLean, recently retired after a remarkable 35 years of service. We would like to dedicate this week’s article to sharing with our readers just some of the highlights of Craig’s career with us and how, under his leadership, he has helped us to change the lives of so many in our local communities.
Humble Beginnings With A Greater Vision In Mind
In 1980 Craig joined Horizon Goodwill Industries as a Branch Manager at our Cumberland, Maryland location. At this time only three Horizon Goodwill 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 guidance Horizon Goodwill Industries rapidly expanded, opening several new stores as well as the addition of our Centre Street Building in Cumberland and the Prospect Street building in Hagerstown.
Growing Through The late 1980’s and 1990’s
During this period, a new program for individuals with severe and profound disabilities was established, helping a group in our community find meaningful vocational activity and the chance to earn a paycheck. By the early part of the ’90’s Horizon Goodwill had a presence in three states, totaling six retail store locations. An increasing number of community members began receiving valuable job training in order to help them find stable, self-sufficient employment. Not long after, Horizon Goodwill was awarded a base-wide contract to perform cleaning duties at Fort Detrick.
As the end of 1990 approached, five additional stores were opened including our first in Virginia. Continuing to evolve under Craig’s guidance, a third work training site was added at Cole Lane in Winchester, Virginia. By the end of the century, agency revenue had escalated dramatically to nearly $5 million dollars.
Leadership Into The New Century
Since 2000 Craig’s leadership has continued to move the organization forward. Horizon Goodwill Industries now operates a total of 17 retail stores with a Corporate Office and donation processing facility located in Hagerstown, a regional office, training center and processing facility located in Cumberland and four resource centers for job seekers to utilize in Hagerstown, Cumberland, Martinsburg and Winchester.
Over the course of a single year, on average, Horizon Goodwill Industries employs over 630 people and returns 90% of all revenue earned to the community through job training and skill acquisition programs for the members of our community who need it most. 2015 is budgeted for over $20 million dollars in overall revenue, a testament to how productive Craig has helped our organization become, as we continue to provide job training to those with obstacles to employment.
Throughout his time at Horizon Goodwill Industries, Craig’s focus has been to reach out to the unemployed and underrepresented individuals in each community we serve. He leaves us with connections to other service providers and employers who partner with us to assure that those who come to Goodwill for assistance receive not only skills training and vocational services but a network of opportunities to connect with the resources each person may need.
Thank You, Craig, for providing over three and a half decades of leading by example. From all of us at Horizon Goodwill Industries, we will miss your wisdom and guidance, but in turn sincerely hope you enjoy many more decades of relaxation during your retirement. You certainly deserve it!