New director takes over at Goodwill Industries of the Columbia

A new executive director is taking over Goodwill Industries of the Columbia.

Jeff Maddison, the current director of operations, will take over as the next executive director on Jan. 1.

He joined Goodwill in 2015 after working for Lamb Weston as the project leader of business operations.

“I appreciate the board’s confidence in me and I’m honored to have the opportunity to lead such a great organization,” Maddison said in a release. “Goodwill OTC is resilient and I know we can move forward to continue providing excellent assistance to individuals through mission services and continue to be leaders in innovation.”

Goodwill Industries of the Columbia is one of 157 autonomous members of the Goodwill network. It operates in 13 counties throughout South Central Washington and Northeast Oregon.

Along with stores, the nonprofit also helps people with disabilities to find work and provides other worker training for people who need it.

Maddison is replacing Ken Gosney, who is leaving the Mid-Columbia to be the president and CEO of Goodwill Sacramento Valley and Northern Nevada. Gosney, a former Richland school board member and high school principal, led Goodwill Industries of the Columbia for six years.

He was credited with turning the small territory into one of the top performing areas for the Goodwill network.

Gosney said in the release he is proud of their work. Everyone played a role in helping get nearly 900 people into jobs in 2019.

The COVID-19 pandemic has required the organization to find different ways to serve people.

“The mission services team’s commitment, creativity and results has been inspiring. Goodwill is truly changing lives through the power of work,” Gosney said.