In his 37 years as CEO, Tim Welker had a key role in seeing Goodwill Industries of Denver grow from a $1 million entity serving 600 people to a $40 million operation with a client list of 30,000.
His retirement was made public — and his service was celebrated — at Goodwill’s annual Power of Work awards luncheon. The event was held on Welker’s last day on the job.
“Tim has built an amazing and incredibly honorable organization,” noted Todd Munson, chairman of the Goodwill Denver board. “His legacy will not be forgotten in our community, or by the thousands that Goodwill serves each year.”
An economist and businessman, Welker helped create and expand Goodwill’s youth services division that now helps thousands of at- risk youth prepare for successful futures. In 2007, Goodwill Denver was named Nonprofit Organization of the Year by the Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce.
“Words cannot express how proud I have been to serve this community,” Welker said in acknowledging the tributes to his service. “I have so enjoyed helping to grow Goodwill into the amazing social enterprise it is today. It’s incredibly gratifying to see how we’ve transformed the lives of so many.” George Bogdewiecz, a past chair of the Goodwill board, is serving as interim CEO until Welker’s successor is found.
Others honored at the event emceed by 7News anchor Mitch Jelniker were Briana Exum and Ariana Kasper, Youth Award; Jacob Grien, Inspiration Award; Shelley Cozad, Family Strengthening Award; Charles Hensley, Opportunity Award; and Environmental Safety Inc., Corporate Visionary Award. IMA Financial Group chief Rob Cohen was also recognized for his longstanding support.
Coming right up.
The Fine Arts Foundation is having its spring membership luncheon Monday at Museo de las Americas; Continental Divine, recipient of The Knot’s Best of Wedding award for 2010, is providing the food. . . . Also on Monday, Kate Horton (Black Pearl), Jennifer Jasinski (Rioja, Bistro Vendome), Mary Nguyen (Parallel Seventeen) and Francesca Ruiz (Los Cabos) are among the dozen or so chefs taking part in a dinner benefiting Work Options for Women. It begins at 6 p.m. at Denver’s Temple Emanuel; register at . . . . The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver announces that Steve McConahey is to receive the 2010 Champion of Youth Award at the Youth of the Year Gala that Rob Cohen is chairing Saturday night at the Hyatt Regency Convention Center. . . . Saturday’s also when the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is having its annual Dream Gala. It honors Dr. George Eisenbarth, executive director of the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes; Michael and Karey Finch are the chairs. For tickets, call 303-209-7717.
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com; also, and GetItWrite on Twitter
