Goodwill Industries of Central Florida Promotes Edward J. Durkee to President and CEO

Durkee will help Goodwill continue expanding its reach across Brevard County

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Goodwill Industries of Central Florida concluded its nationwide search for a new president and CEO and named long-time Goodwill Industries executive Edward J. Durkee to replace Laurence Hames as president and CEO effective Jan. 1, 2020. Hames served as interim CEO since April of this year.

Durkee brings decades of experience in executive and director-level positions for other Goodwill organizations across the U.S.

Most recently, he served as president and CEO of Goodwill Central Coast in Santa Cruz, California, a position he held since 2013.

Durkee earned a master’s degree in journalism and a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and political science from Indiana University.

He currently sits on the Goodwill Industries International Board of Directors and also serves on the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership Board of Directors.

“After conducting a nationwide search, we found numerous qualified candidates, which speaks to the bright future Goodwill has as an organization,” said Michael Hsu, Board Chairman for Goodwill Industries of Central Florida.

“After careful deliberation, we selected Ed Durkee as the best person to carry on our mission here in Central Florida. Ed’s passion for helping others, his focus on workforce development and his strong leadership ability will be key ingredients for our organization to continue providing job training and employment placement services to people who often face barriers to finding work.”

In his new role, Durkee will help Goodwill continue expanding its reach across Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, Brevard and Volusia counties.

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