Marlyn McKeen to retire; Jackie Norris starts October 3 and formally becomes president and CEO December 1

Goodwill Industries of Central Iowa announced today that Jackie Norris will become president and CEO-elect of the organization effective October 3. Norris succeeds Marlyn McKeen, who has served in the role of CEO for more than 30 years and will retire at the end of 2016. McKeen guided Goodwill through unprecedented success, starting with a small organization with one location in 1986, to the multi-faceted service company it is today with an annual revenue of more than $20 million, 19 retail locations and 400 employees serving a 22-county area.

“We will forever be grateful for Marlyn’s contributions,” said Danielle Bell, Goodwill Industries of Central Iowa board chair. “Goodwill Industries wouldn’t be the strong organization it is today without his leadership and service. Marlyn’s accomplishments are too numerous to list, but his impact has touched every facet of this organization.”

Bell said following McKeen’s retirement announcement, the board immediately began a very intensive search process to find the next president and CEO, and everyone is more than confident Norris is the right person to lead Goodwill well into the future.

With extensive experience in guiding growth for companies and organizations, Norris returns to Iowa to continue to strengthen the focus and outreach through customer shopping and donating while simultaneously providing more services to Goodwill of Central Iowa’s clients, raising awareness and elevating the profile of Goodwill Industries as a whole. Norris will continue to engage Goodwill Industries and its board, staff and clients in a variety of ways, while also evolving the organization’s strategy, market presence and retail emphasis.

“Iowa is truly home for us,” said Norris, who has three sons with husband John Norris and most recently lived in Italy for two years following their time in Washington, DC. “This opportunity came along at the perfect time in our search to return to Iowa and very much fits the type of service that I am passionate about. We will continue to be a leader through our work, and together we will explore new opportunities, just as Goodwill Industries has done for decades.”


Norris takes over an organization that has a history of year-over-year successes. In early 2016, Goodwill Industries relocated its corporate headquarters to Johnston, which allowed for a retail store, Career Connection Center, Shopgoodwill, and training and employment programs to all be housed under one corporate roof. Additionally, the organization released 2015 numbers announcing it had provided services for more than 7,500 people as well as 914 job placements among 439 central Iowa businesses.

“Goodwill is in a great position, and we will continue its path forward and make it stronger, more relevant and more impactful even than it is today,” said Norris. “I’m looking forward to getting started and working with the team. Marlyn’s legacy with Goodwill has paved the way for much more future growth and success.”
Goodwill Industries began serving Central Iowa in 1955, providing citizens of all abilities with job training, skills support and employment placement. Funding raised through donations and purchases at Goodwill Industries locations directly benefit the services that the organization provides. Since its inception, the organization has grown to 19 retail locations serving 22 counties in the state of Iowa. Goodwill proudly invests 88 cents of every dollar raised into its programs. A non-profit 501(C)3 organization, Goodwill employs 400 staff.

 

JACKIE NORRIS — BIOGRAPHY

Prior to being named president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Central Iowa (effective December 1), Jackie Norris spent more than 20 years managing strategic planning and corporate initiatives for a variety of organizations. Described as an “innovative and seasoned leader,” Jackie has spent her entire career working with individuals and organizations to succeed —through budget and company growth as well as service and social growth. Combining her experience in nonprofit and academia as well as a history with national and statewide political arenas, Jackie has worked with teams to create, develop, and manage numerous strategic campaigns and initiatives from inception to implementation, always with a specialization in service and volunteerism.

Specific career highlights from 1992-2016 include:

  • Executive Director, Points of Light Corporate Institute
  • Senior Advisor to the CEO, Corporation for National and Community Service
  • Lecturer/Adjunct professor (John Cabot University, American University)
  • Assistant to President Obama and Chief of Staff to First Lady Michelle Obama
  • Senior Advisor and Iowa State Director, Obama for America Campaign
  • Teacher (Perry, Ames and Johnston school districts)
  • Finance director, Tom Vilsack gubernatorial campaign
  • Director of scheduling, Housing and Urban Development
  • Event coordinator, Vice President Gore
  • Deputy campaign manager, Congresswoman Louise Slaughter

Volunteer involvement, awards and service highlights:

  • Board Chair, The New School Rome
  • Member, DC Service Commission
  • Commissioner, White House Commission on Presidential Scholars
  • Coach, Stoddert Soccer League (Washington, DC)
  • Sunday School teacher, United Methodist Church (Des Moines and Maryland)
  • Award recipient (2005), James Madison Fellowship (a prestigious federal scholarship which is awarded to 50 educators annually who teach about the United States Constitution)
  • Delivered numerous presentations on corporate social responsibility, civic engagement strategies, national service issues and women in leadership