YOUNGSTOWN -- A woman familiar with the operation of Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries, Inc. is the service agency's new chief executive officer.
Shelley Murray, who served as interim CEO since Jan. 1, was officially named to the position, the organization announced Thursday. She replaces Annie Phillips, who resigned Wednesday.
"I am deeply honored to continue serving this incredible organization," Murray said in a news release. "Over the past year as Interim, I have witnessed firsthand the dedication and talent of our team, the resilience of the individuals we serve, and the support of our community.
Murray came to the organization in January on a temporary basis, taking over for Phillips, who stepped aside for maternity leave. Before coming to Goodwill, Murray spent more than 20 years in education, most recently at Valley Christian Schools. She served as principal, vice principal and head of schools during her tenure.
During her time as interim chief executive, Murray "demonstrated remarkable leadership and a deep commitment to our values," board President Hasheen Wilson said in the release.
"She has increased the visibility of Goodwill in our community and has significantly enhanced the spirit of collaboration within our organization. Under Shelley's leadership, we've also seen increases in revenue and efficiencies, further strengthening our ability to serve those in need," Wilson said.
He added, Phillips' dedication "has been instrumental in advancing our mission and serving our community."
Youngstown Area Goodwill, which serves eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania, works to expand employment and training opportunities for people in the region, including those with disabilities and other barriers, through the agency's programming.
Sales through its 10 retail stores support the mission and help divert items from landfills. The organization also has a business services division that creates employment opportunities by providing janitorial, commercial, laundry, lawn care and custom contract services to area businesses and organizations.
According to its latest annual report, the organization collected 195,449 donations and served 635,076 customers in 2023. Also, there were 1,494 individuals and families served through a voucher program and 1,727 children were screened for vision abnormalities, with 148 referred for further care.
It had revenue of $10.4 million, mostly from its retail centers and operating costs of $10.3 million.