The Gazette 10/24/2007, Page B08

BUSINESS
Goodbye, Goodwill

CEO retiring after leading organization’s expansion
By George C. Ford
The Gazette
IOWA CITY — When John Watson retires in June as president and chief executive officer of Goodwill of the Heartland, he will leave an organization that is dramatically different from the one he joined 28 years ago.
  “We had two stores — one in Iowa City and the other in Cedar Rapids,” Watson recalled. “In the Cedar Rapids, we had a small store on Second Street SE that was located between Mitvalsky Tanning and Furs and a cache of paint and junk. Depending on which way the wind blew, we were either in danger of being burned down or smelling the tannery.
  It was a real fire trap. We moved the store by the end of my first year.” Goodwill today operates two modern stores in northeast and southwest Cedar Rapids. It also has stores in Bettendorf, Clinton, Coralville, Davenport, Iowa City, Marion, Muscatine and Washington, Iowa, as well as in Moline and Rock Island, Ill.
  In 1979, Goodwill had annual revenue of $618,000, 31 staff employees and served 186 clients. Last year, the organization had annual revenue of $16.9 million, 340 staff employees, and served 1,245 clients.
  When Watson, 65, joined Goodwill, the organization derived some revenue from contract manufacturing work for local businesses. In 1980, Goodwill launched a can and bottle recycling operation in connection with the state’s deposit law.
  “Gradually, the contract work faded out because the pop can and bottle operation became so much larger,” Watson said. “That was a major revenue producer and source of jobs and training for about 19 years. We ended the recycling business in 1999 due to competition and reverse vending machines that ... dispensed a refund.” Goodwill turned to contract work to fill the void created by the loss of the recycling revenue.
  “That’s really been a wonderful change because it provides so much more variety of work and training experience for our clients,” Watson said.
  “It provides much better preparation for the real world of work.” During Watson’s tenure, Goodwill has broadened its territory and the number of people with disabilities that it serves. It has partnered with businesses like Allsteel in Muscatine to offer supervised employment within a manufacturer for individuals who might not have the opportunity on their own.
  In Muscatine, clients staff a small restaurant operated by Goodwill that serves breakfast and lunch, providing income and valuable work experience. A contract manufacturing site in northeast Cedar Rapids provides employment for clients and products for area businesses.
  As he prepares to retire from the day-to-day management of Goodwill, Watson is quick to credit his staff and boards of directors for Goodwill’s growth over the last three decades.
  “I have been blessed with some really great people to work with,” he said. “Over the years, we have developed experts in various areas to handle the various aspects of a much more complex organization.
  “The boards have been absolutely essential. Their link to the broader community really helps us to make good decisions.” Watson will stay connected with Goodwill after he retires, serving as a temporary CEO for other Goodwill organizations as needed. He also plans to remain active in the community, serving on several boards of directors.
Contact the writer at (319) 398-8366 or george.ford@gazettecommunications.com

John Watson, president and chief executive officer of Goodwill of the Heartland, will retire in June after 29 years with the non-profit organization.
Jonathan D. Woods/The Gazette