Local Goodwill CEO Named Outstanding Professional; Goodwill Southern California Grows Nine-Fold under Doug Barr's Leadership.

LOS ANGELES -- Doug Barr, president and chief executive officer of Goodwill Southern California, was named Outstanding Professional of the Year at National Philanthropy Day in Los Angeles. Barr accepted the award during the luncheon ceremony on Nov. 16 held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. The event was coordinated by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater Los Angeles Chapter.

Goodwill's prior CEO, Nicholas Panza, received this honor in 1995 at his retirement. Barr continued with Nick's legacy because he believes in the power of work and a sense of identity it gives an individual.

Each year on November 15, the Association of Fundraising Professionals coordinates National Philanthropy Day. This day is set aside to recognize the great contributions of philanthropy -- and those people active in the philanthropic community -- to the enrichment of our world.

The Outstanding Professional of the Year Award goes to a local leader who has served and made an impact within an entire community as well as the nominating organization.

When Barr started at Goodwill in 1995, the agency had 26 retail stores and a budget of $18 million. It employed 1,000 daily, operated two workforce/training centers and each year helped about 2,000 people with disabilities and disadvantages such as homelessness, illiteracy, history of gang involvement or substance abuse.

Today's Goodwill Southern California has a budget of nearly $70 million, helps more than 18,000 each year, employs 1,650 daily and operates 45 retail stores, 38 attended donation centers and 18 workforce/training centers. In 2004 alone, Goodwill placed 1,406 people with disabilities and vocational disadvantages into permanent community employment with an average wage of $9.62. Forty-seven percent of these workers receive medical, health and pension benefits.

Richard Nichols, Chairman of the Board of the Los Angeles County Workforce Investment Board, wrote a recommendation for Barr's nomination saying, "Doug is not afraid to speak up. He is a tireless advocate for ways to boost employment of the 'hardest to serve' in our region: people who've been in prison, or didn't finish high school, who don't speak English, or are former substance abusers or gangbangers."

Throughout his career, Doug has worked with disadvantaged individuals -- low-income persons, abused children, inner-city youth, cancer patients and people addicted to tobacco. Prior to joining Goodwill in 1995, Doug served as international president and chief executive officer with the Hugh O'Brian Youth Foundation (HOBY), an international youth leadership development agency based in Los Angeles.

Before joining HOBY, Doug led the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) and the National Cancer Institute of Canada, two of that country's largest voluntary health agencies, as national chief executive officer for more than seven years. During Doug's tenure, CCS became a major player in the battle for tobacco control with smoking bans implemented on all commercial airlines and in all government facilities throughout Canada. As a result of Doug's efforts, tobacco advertising and sponsorships were also dramatically reduced.

His other executive experience includes directing the work of the Children's Aid Society of Toronto (CAS), Canada's largest child-welfare organization. During his tenure there, CAS developed nationally recognized protocols in child sexual abuse prevention, investigation and treatment as well as programs in multi-cultural training and community protection.

From 1972 to 1978, Doug served as an elected trustee on the Toronto School Board, chairing the Board in 1977.

Doug holds an undergraduate degree in Honors English and History from the University of Toronto, a Masters of Divinity from Victoria University and a Masters of Social Work from the University of Southern California.

Doug and his wife Lee Mink Barr reside in Pasadena.

Other past Outstanding Professional honorees include Lisa Watson (2004), Conrad Watson (2003), Mary Tower (2002), Larry Baum (2001) and many others.

ABOUT NATIONAL PHILANTHROPY DAY

National Philanthropy Day (NPD) is a special day set aside on the fifteenth of November. The purpose of this day is to recognize the great contributions of philanthropy -- and those people active in the philanthropic community -- to the enrichment of our world.

National Philanthropy Day provides an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of giving and all that it has made possible. First held in 1986, NPD celebrates the endless daily contributions individuals and organizations across the world make to countless causes and missions. Last year, more than 100 AFP chapters held NPD events and activities across North America.

ABOUT GOODWILL SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

More than 15,000 people with disabilities or vocational disadvantages benefit from Goodwill Southern California's education, job training and placement programs each year. GSC operates 45 retail stores, 38 attended donation centers, three campuses and eight community-based career resource centers in the counties of Los Angeles (north of Rosecrans Ave.), Riverside and San Bernardino. Charity Navigator, an independent charity evaluator, gave GSC its highest four-star ranking for four consecutive years, because GSC spends 92 percent of its budget on programs that transform lives through the power of work. For more information about GSC and its programs, visit www.goodwillsocal.org.