In mid-March, Peter Crowley took the helm as chair of the board for Goodwill Manasota for the second time. A recurring role at an organization he has cared about for more than two decades.
In the summer of 1993, Peter Crowley had just finished his freshman year at Duke University and was looking for something worthwhile to do. He applied for the Goodwill Manasota Summer Internship (the first year it was offered), interviewing eventually with the Rev. Don Roberts – who served as CEO of Goodwill from 1977-2012. The two connected – Rev. Roberts had attended the seminary at Duke – Crowley got the internship and, since that time, the two have become neighbors and great friends.
Since that time, Crowley has graduated from the University of Florida with an MBA and law degree and become the president and broker/co-owner of the RE/MAX Alliance Group. He has also become a trusted leader for Goodwill Manasota, serving on the board of directors since 2004, including a term as chairman in 2010, and now chair again for 2017-2019.
“The summer internship really opened my eyes to both Goodwill as an organization and the nonprofit sector in general. The mission of providing a ‘hand up rather than a hand-out’ resonated with me,” Crowley said. “Our family had always donated to Goodwill but I never knew the depth and breadth of the services that Goodwill offers. The internship gave me access to every aspect of Goodwill, from collecting donations on the Goodwill trucks, sorting donations, and learning the retail side as well as the administrative and executive functions.”
Once his internship was over, Crowley knew he wanted to continue his involvement after college so that he could be a part of the organization’s substantial impact on the community. He has been a valued leader at the organization since 2004; he particularly appreciates not only Goodwill’s ability to help clients directly, but also its connections to partner organizations to whom clients with needs outside Goodwill’s wheelhouse can be easily directed. Crowley is also one of the local celebrity stars featured in the 2017 Goodwill marketing campaign, called “I Am Goodwill.”
“A key element in our success is the leadership that we have in place at Goodwill Manasota. We can only succeed in our mission if we are all striving toward the same goals,” said Bob Rosinsky, president and CEO of Goodwill Manasota. “It has been my distinct pleasure to work alongside Peter – from his days as a student to being a successful businessman, from a Goodwill intern to board chairman – for more than two decades. I am looking forward to his term as chairman as we work together to change lives through the power of work.”
Crowley’s business, RE/MAX Alliance Group, has become part of Goodwill’s valuable corporate support base. Just last year, before the holidays, RE/MAX hosted Goodwill’s traveling Giving Tree, which encouraged workers and customers/clients at area businesses to donate and making a difference in the lives of community members. In 2015, the company was honored as Goodwill Manasota’s Corporate Sponsor of the Year. RE/MAX Alliance Group has previously been honored as one of the Ambassadors of the Year during Goodwill’s annual awards dinner and also served as one of the event sponsors for the organization’s popular annual fundraiser, the Mardi Gras Gala.
The company has a nationwide commitment to the Children’s Miracle Network, which supports All Children’s hospitals throughout the country. RE/MAX has raised more than $150 million to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network, primarily through donations from individual agents from each real estate closing. In addition, RE/MAX Alliance Group sales associates are involved in numerous charities and organizations throughout the community
Crowley, along with his business partners, Ron Travis and Dave Coupland, operate seven real estate offices throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties. He enjoys golfing and tennis, but his favorite interest is his role as proud father of his two children.
“My parents demonstrated to each of their five children that all people matter, no matter their lot in life,” Crowley said. “The social entrepreneurial model that drives Goodwill has provided thousands of people the opportunity to improve their lives, and to be a part of that in any small way is very rewarding.”
For more information about Goodwill, go to experiencegoodwill.org or call (941) 355-2721.
About Goodwill Manasota
Goodwill 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 2016, Goodwill Manasota served 28,207 people, placed 755 people in jobs and assisted 240 veterans as they reintegrated back into the civilian workforce. Goodwill Manasota’s economic impact back to the community is worth $92.1 million. Goodwill is one of the pioneers of the reduce-reuse-recycle movement and this past year diverted more than 40 million pounds out of the landfill. 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 Manasota is 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 www.experiencegoodwill.org.