SARASOTA, FL – After a comprehensive nationwide search by a committee appointed by the organization’s board, Goodwill Industries Manasota has named a new president to succeed longtime leader Bob Rosinsky. Donn Githens, who has served as Goodwill Manasota’s vice president of operations since 2015 and worked within the Goodwill system since 2006, has been named the organization’s new president, assuming his new role as of July 1 of this year.
Rosinsky will remain as CEO until his retirement in June 2022, assisting Githens and the Board with strategic planning, organizational development, project management and the transition. Upon his retirement, Githens will become president and CEO.
In his former role, Githens was responsible for the successful execution of GIMI’s mission integrated donated goods retail operation, including retail stores, attended donation centers, transportation, purchasing, donated goods donor development, and post-retail operations as well as technical assistance, training, and leadership development. In recent years, he also assumed oversight of marketing and communications, real estate, facility maintenance, property management, and mission development activities in support of other Goodwill groups across the country.
Before joining Goodwill Manasota, he held the titles of director of transportation and attended donation centers and regional director of retail operations at Goodwill of North Georgia (Atlanta) for several years. Before that, he was the director of retail operations for the Southern District of Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers.
Githens earned his MBA at Ashford University, a Bachelor of Science degree from Florida State University, and is a graduate of Goodwill Industries International’s Senior Leadership Program and the University of Georgia-Fanning Institute’s Executive Leadership Program for Nonprofit Organizations (ELPNO).
“While we conducted a rigorous national search for the best possible leadership to guide Goodwill Manasota into the future, we were admittedly thrilled to find that leader right here, within our own organization,” said Board Chair Steve Boone. “Not only does he have extensive knowledge and experience overseeing nearly every facet of our operations, he has also benefited from rigorous leadership training and is dedicated to the mission and continuous improvement of Goodwill. We are proud to welcome him to his new role and excited to see his impact on the organization for many years to come.”
Goodwill Manasota provides a breadth of services that range from job readiness, skills training — including digital skills and various certifications and credentials — and employment placement as well as facilitating connections to holistic wraparound services such as emergency financial assistance, housing, financial literacy, and transportation. Goodwill works with hundreds of community partners to increase its impact while reducing duplication in service offerings.
Goodwill Manasota has two Job Connection offices and a Veterans Services program office as well as virtual services available for those living in Goodwill Manasota’s territory of Sarasota, Manatee, Hardee and DeSoto counties. In 2020, Goodwill Manasota served over 400 people in the Job Connection, placed 194 people in jobs, served 314 veterans, and offered intensive supports to 55 team members in the Supported Jobs Plus program, helping those with significant disabilities succeed on the job.
Goodwill Manasota is seen as a leader in the Goodwill Industries International network for its Mission Development Services (MDS) program, a fee service which provides intensive education, training and mentoring services to Goodwills across the country. It also offers Goodwill®U, an online curriculum available through a subscription to other Goodwills to further professional training and development.
For more about Goodwill Manasota, visit experiencegoodwill.org.
About Goodwill Manasota
Goodwill Manasota is an industry-leading 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that changes lives through the power of work. With philanthropic donations and revenue generated by the sales of donated goods, Goodwill is able to assist people with disabilities, veterans, seniors, and those with other barriers to employment by providing jobs, job skills training, and free career services. For more information or for a listing of locations, visit www.experiencegoodwill.org or call 941-355-2721.